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Personal info

Full name
BATTICE, Hans Joseph
Date of birth
3 February 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Custer, Mason County, Michigan
Hometown
Muskegon County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
36457700
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
760th Bombardment Squadron,
460th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
26 July 1944
Place of death
Zwolfaxing, Austria

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 34 21

Immediate family

Members
Ira Battice (father)
Susie Battice (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
41-29573
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Zwolfaxing, Austria
MACR: 7338

More information

Target for the mission of 26 July 1944 was Zwolfaxing A/O, Austria. Ship 41-29573, Piloted by 1st Lt. Robert J. Jones, was flying position #3, Lead box, first attack unit. Our ship was flying in position #6, Lead box, first attack unit. Directly over the target he was hit by flak and #2 engine caught on fire. The ship dove to our left and then #2 engine exploded. Part of the wing broke off after #2 engine exploded. To avoid being hit by parts of the wing, we turned to the left. I did not see any chutes open.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten