Memorial

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The next objective after turning off the target was re-grouping. Losing about 2000 feet of altitude and slowing up a few miles per hour would permit the stagglers to catch up and form a tighter defensive formation against the still attacking enemy fighters. Lt Wayne E. Murdoch in B-17F no. 42-3057, the 322th Squadrons 'Blond Bomber' on its 28th mission, could no longer keep up with the group because of a raging fire in the radio room. The plane was no. 3 in the second element of the lead squadron. The plane had received many 20 mm hits and control was sluggish. Bailing by some of the crewmen began just prior to bomb release and after the target by others. Tail gunner Sgt Julius Sobieski, who had a part of his foot shot off, saw pilot Murdoch bail out but never saw the chute open. The plane crashed in the Hornhausen/Ottleben area, in the vicinity of the target at about 11:54 hours. Pilot Murdoch and the radio operator Sgt Morris did not survive.