Howard W Metts

Military
media-19044.png UPL 19044 Statement on page 2 of MACR 5149 about the 4 October mission.

MACR 5149

Object Number - UPL 19044 - Statement on page 2 of MACR 5149 about the 4 October mission.

On 4 October 1943, B-24D Serial #42-72873 of 44th Bomb Group, 67th Bomb Squadron was flying a Diversion over the North Sea, feigning attacks toward Wilhelmshaven and Emden. The purpose was to draw German fighters from the B-17 formations on their big attack on the factory complexes of Frankfurt, Germany.



42-72873 was attacked head-on by 4 enemy aircraft over the North Sea and was severely damaged. It was seen to go into a spin. Pilot Robert G. Stamos gave the order to bail out.



Navigator John A. Must and Bombardier Donald G. Campbell left the plane over the North Sea and were lost. They are still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).



Using their AFCE (automatic pilot) equipment, Pilot Stamos and Co-Pilot Howard W. Metts managed later to get back the control of the ship and brought the B-24 and the remaining crew back to England. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 5149.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The 'semiofficial' insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

67th Bomb Squadron

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

People

Robert Glenn Stamos

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19072913 / O-730646
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

42-72873

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Raggedy Ann II, Star Spangled Hell
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 67th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Other

Returned (RTD)

North Sea 4 October 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/perlastname.asp

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 5149 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Howard W Metts: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 19044 - Statement on page 2 of MACR 5149 about the 4...