Memorial

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For the first time in a number of missions, the Group encountered enemy aircraft--this time jets! Six Me-262 jets flew through the formation, shooting down one 401st aircraft and damaging another. The Group also flew into accurate flak, which resulted in major battle damage to two aircraft and minor damage to fifteen others.
The downed 401st ship was B-17 No. 43-38607 ("Lady Jane II"), piloted by Lt David E. Vermeer. After being hit by fire from an enemy jet aircraft, the B-17 continued over the target and then fell off on one wing out of the formation. However, the ship was able to make it most of the way out of Germany but was again attacked by Luftwaffe Me-262s after American fighter escort planes had left. Lt Vermeer then gave the bailout signal and six of the nine crew members parachuted to safety--and captivity. The pilot, togglier, and radio operator did not exit the ship and were killed in the crash.