Memorial

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Statement of S/Sgt Theodore H. Erickson:
'In reference to Flight Officer Vanderkamp's ship which was on the mission to Regensburg, Germany, 22 February 1944, the first thing that I noticed was fighters attacking it and the ship lost altitude and then regained control. It then appeared to be turning back with smoke pouting out. When I last saw the ship, one enemy fighter was hovering over it. I saw no chutes open as the plane disappeared into the undercast, however it was under control even though it was losing altitude fast. The time was approximately 1305, the altitude was approcimately 22,000 feet. The coordinates as called by the navigator was 48°20'N; 12°50'E.'

Lt Brohm landed with his outfit in Italy on Christmas Day 1943 and in his last letter to his parents, dated Feb. 19, he stated he had successfully completed 13 missions over enemy territory. He enlisted in March 1942, and was sent from Fort Dix, to Keesler Field, Miss., for preflight training. He also trained at Lowry Field, Denver, Colo.; Maxwell Field, Ala.; Ocola, Fla., and Ellington Field, Tex. He received his commission at Midland Army Air Base, Tex., in August 1943 and then was home on his first furlough in 17 months. He then reported back to Davis-Monthon Field, Tuscon, Ariz., and was then shipped overseas.
Lt Brohm was a graduate of Saint Charles Baromeo School and Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark. The family had resided in Fanwood about six years.