S/Sgt. Edward N. Schroeder was a member of Crew 5 of the 712th Bomb Squadron, 448th Bomb Group who flew with B-24H-5-FO (42-7733) “LAKI-NUKI” via the southern route from Florida to Seething, England in December 1943. On the flight from Marrakech, North Africa to England bad weather led to an attempt to land at a German-held airfield in the Brest Peninsula of France. The aircraft received severe damage from enemy flak but pilot 2nd Lt. Ayrest and co-pilot 2nd Lt. Litman were able to land the aircraft at Preddannack, Cornwall. “LAKI-NUKI” caught fire after landing and was destroyed.

On 10 Feb 1944 Crew 11 of the 712th Bomb Squadron was the scheduled to fly "Boomerang" (42-52132) when they told to stand down and that Crew 5 would be flying the mission to Gilz-Rijen, Holland. “Boomerang” crashed 2 miles west of Tibenham due to bad weather and violent maneuvering to avoid a mid-air collision. S/Sgt. Schroeder reported that he was pinned to the floor of the aircraft with another crew member on top of him when the aircraft began to break apart. The waist section of the aircraft disintegrates releasing him and he fell out of the the open the tail section. Luckily, he is able to use his parachute and landed without serious injuries. "Boomerang" crashed near Oaken Hill Farm, Badingham. S/Sgt. Snell and 2nd Lt. McAllister also able to bail out and survived the crash.