Memorial

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T/Sgt William C. Swanson was a machinist apprentice.

He enlisted at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York.

At approximately 12 o´clock noon the ariplane was attacked by German fighters. On the first pass the radios were shot out, including the left engine and part of the controls. The pilot recovered and tried to get back in formation, which was impossible on one engine. He tried to call the crew for a check. The radios were out and they were in no immediate danger so they headed for home, losing altitude steadily. The bombardier shooting out all his ammunition on the frontal attack came out of the nose. He was sent to the back of the tail to see if help was needed, they were under constant attack. The bombardier came back a few seconds later telling the rear bomb bay was on fire and that the ammunition cases were going off. The pilot dropped the bombs and told him to bail out, since all the instruments were shot out and the plane was on fire. He gave the signal for bailing out and left the bell ringing, the altitude was 6,000 feet. The co-pilot was told to bail out since the cockpit was filling with smoke. As the co-pilot prepared to leave he said the right engine was on fire. The bomb bay (forward) was aflame, so they dropped the wheels and the co-pilot went out the nose wheel door. The pilot did not know for certain whether the men in the tail section were still in the plane or not. He decided to wait but had to bail out when they lost altitude rapidly. He saw the plane hit the ground and blow up.

T/Sgt Swanson's dog tag was found and he was probably burned to death with the aircraft, as well as Paul Raimonde. The other 4 crew members bailed out and were taken prisoner.

The two killed crew men are remembered on a wooden cross in a forest near Oberschömbach.