Memorial

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The airplane was attacked by five ME 262's at 0940 hours at 5133N & 1341E. Aircraft 44-8613 which was straggling with another aircraft two miles behind the formation was observed to be hit in the left wing. It exploded and went down in a tight spin. Three parachutes were seen, two of which reported to be on fire.

The following are extracts of a letter, written by the pilot, Bernard Painter on 23 June 1945.

"We were scheduled to bomb Ruhland, Germany on March 21, 1945. Fifteen minutes before the target we lost N0#1 engine due to a mechanical failure (Supercharger). We were forced ot leave the formation and to salvo our bombs. We accomplished this and were rejoining the formation when attacked by several ME 262 Jet Fighter planes. Although our gunners were firing at them constantly, they were able to shoot out #2 engine and set it on fire, foul the controls rendering them useless and scored several hits in the nose section, setting it on fire.

I immediately gave the order to abandon ship and went below to aid the men in the nose, but was unable to accomplish this because of the fire and was forced to bail out at approximately 18,000 feet. I opened my chute immediately in an effort to drift toward the Russian lines. I counted five chutes below me and I can presume they were crew members from the rear of the ship who jumped when we were at 22,500 and made a delayed jump.

I have had no contact with the crew since that time. I have written all of the next of kin and given them what I could of the above details. I will also try to call on many of them personally. I would appreciate any information you receive concerning the missing men forwarded to me and I will do likewise with any received through other airmen."

Only 2nd Lt Bernard Painter survived and was taken prisoner. The other eight crew members were killed.