Memorial

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The mission for that day was to attack shipyards and submarine buildings in the harbor of Hamburg. Due to bad weather, the visibility over the target was very poor. Instead targets of opportunity were attacked, being the airfield on Wangerooge Island.

Statement of 2nd Lt Thomas S. Mortenson, the surviving bombardier of the crew:
"We proceeded on a bombing mission to Hamburg, Germany, handicapped by a solid undercast. Several attempts were made to rendezvous with other Groups and Wings in the formation. While somewhere in the area of Bremen, the lead Group of the Wing was sighted far to the Northeast. Following the Group and Squadron Leader, we attempted to join the lead Group. At this moment the lead Group, making a 150 degree turn began the flight back to England. While making our turn, it was my impression that the Pilot was having trouble keeping the plane in formation due to lack of speed. We then became a straggler. The last word to come over the interphone were the Pilot´s to the Co-Pilot, ´Give her all you´ve got´. Then came a fighter attack from somewhere in the rear knocking the interphone out. To lighten the load and being over German territory, I (2nd Lt Mortenson) opened the bomb bays and dropped the bombs. We then made two very steep dives of approximately 7,000 feet each presumably to get into the cloud cover, upon which we had formerly agreed, if attacked or disabled. Several fighter attacks followed and upon leveling out after the second dive I entered the partly damaged Pilot´s compartment, the top having been blown off, and inquired if everything was under control. Due to the noise and rush of air, conversation was impossible. The Asst. Engineer operating in the top turret then informed me the plane was on fire and to get out. I pulled the emergency release for the nose hatch and the Navigator coming from the nose excitedly informed me ´the ship must be on fire´. I waited by the escape hatch for possible word from the Pilot, the Navigator and Asst. Engineer urging me to jump. I bailed out, seeing the plane pass over me, fire streaming from bomb bays to tail. During the descent the Asst. Engineer and myself witnessed our plane burn in half and crash while a FW 190 flew figure eights around us."

According to surviving crew members, S/Sgt Mills was lying wounded in the ball turret when they bailed out.
Five crew members were killed and were initially buried at the cemetery of Bad-Zwischenahn, Germany. Five men were taken prisoner.