Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) St Avord in B-17 42-97199 28-Apr-44; flak KO'd No.3 engine and set wing on fire, crashed St Avord. Baled out Evaded Capture (EVD) MACR 4235



S/Sgt Herbert Campbell - waist gunner - was shot down on his 15th mission. The story of what followed was related by a member of the French Resistance who was contacted by the locals who were sheltering Herb and his crew mate (Clement Dawler). Plans to send them home through Spain were abandoned when the lines were closed and the only option was for the men to join a Resistance fighting group.



On 8th June Campbell was one of a group of 17 Allied airmen hiding out with the Maquis in the Haut Loire where, two days later, they were attacked by a large force of German soldiers and forced to disband. It would seem that Campbell went on to join another band of the Maquis and was killed in action. He was buried in the village of Bosalbert, Puys-de-Dome - along with three French comrades-in-arms- and was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre.



(Findagrave shows he is buried at Five Island Cemetery,Georgetown, Sagadahoc County, Maine, USA).