Ralph W Handsel

Military

Killed in Action (KIA) in B-26B 41-18058 [ER:S] 322BG/450BS while serving as Navigator/Bombardier. The aircraft was hit by flak on mission to Boulogne, France. Engine damaged by hit, aircraft flipped and crashed into the English Channel. His body washed up on shore two days later and he was buried by the Germans in the Communal Cemetery of Merlimont, France. The 322nd was moved to the 9th AF Oct. 1943.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

322nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

41-18058

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

Boulogne-sur-Mer, France 9 September 1943 Killed when the aircraft was struck by flak and crashed into the English Channel near Boulogne, France.

Buried

Merlimont, France 9 November 1943 Body washed up on shore and his remains were buried by the Germans in the Communal Cemetery of Merlimont, France. Exact grave location in the cemetery is not known.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Jun-2015. Burial event SN and KIA event per MACR 15064; Burial details and remains recovery per "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces:, Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Made connections to Place, AIrcraft and Mission within existing website data; Edited Summary biograpy adding call sign, unit association, crew position and remains recoverey

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 15604, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 279