Walter L Wright

Military
media-28128.jpeg UPL 28128 2Lt Walt Wright 387th BG J Cook photo collection and archives

Lt Col JC Wright

Object Number - UPL 28128 - 2Lt Walt Wright 387th BG

2nd Lt Walter L. Wright was the bombardier of the B-26 Marauder 42-96199 when it took off from station 162 Chipping Ongar, Essex UK on a mission to bomb Chartres’ airfield. Around 1755, just as the plane, part of the first bombing group, was starting its run, a flak barrage scored a direct hit on the No.2 engine. The latter plummeted free of the aircraft and landed near the town church. The plane itself went into a slow dive. The pilot dropped both 900 kg bombs in order to free the bay door for a potential bail out. The rest of the group thought it to be the attack signal and dropped theirs as well. The damage caused was enormous, killing about 50 civilians and setting the town library on fire. However, only half the crew had time to don their parachutes before the aircraft plummeted to the ground. Lt Wright was the first to bail out of the aircraft, and with the help of the locals was on the verge of meeting up with a RAF plane that would evacuate him to the UK on July 6th 1944. But on his way through Paris a German soldier recognized his lack of French for what it was. His words were: “American aviator, ja? For you the war is over.” He was brought to Stalag Luft III where he met up with the pilot, Lt Smith.



Shot down and captured May 26, 1944 near Chartres, France. POW #7574

MARC #5034

Connections

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

Units served with

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-677649
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32438932
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17044975
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Mechanic
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31718) nicknamed "El Capitan" of the 387th Bomb Group. Image via US Air Force Museum Handwritten caption on reverse: '41-31718 KS-O "El Capitan".'
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: El Capitan
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96199) of the 387th Bomb Group, flown by First Lieutenant Robert Nathan Smith and his crew, they were shot down over Chartres, 26 May 1944.
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Shot Down

26 May 1944

Other

Memorial

Other

Prisoner of War

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added " / " in the "Role/job" field as a separator to aid readability.

Date
ContributorWD-C Mustang
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
L/C Jeff Wright
Cook photo Collection & Archives

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Robert Nathan Smith, via American Air Museum memory book correspondence.

Page at US Memorials Overseas

Walter L Wright: Gallery (7 items)