Memorial

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According to Robert Dean, their ship was damaged during the second bomb run over the target that day. Losing power McMains dropped out of formation and was attempting to "hit the deck" when German fighters found them. After several passes the damage sustained was too great to keep the aircraft flying and the order to bail out was given. Lt Dean stated that, "With the assistance of Sgt Daw, Lt McMains held the ship steady while the rest of the crew bailed out. Sgt Hofstott remained at the radio sending a call for help. They did not have time to get out before the ship exploded and crashed. The co-pilot was the last man out of the ship through the bomb bay and he saw these three men at their stations. As the plane was burning fiercely, he sustained severe facial burns."