Memorial

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Sgt Winters entered the army in January 1943, and was sent overseas six months ago. He was a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in 1943.

In the target area, the formation was attacked by about 60 fighters. It was flying in the Tail end Charlie, or Purple Heart Corner, the position of the last plane and to the left side of the full formation. This position was definitely the most vulnerable to enemy fire and certainly was not perferred by any crew. The bomber was hit at the first passage of the fighters and it had engine #4 on fire, and it's wings and elevators were badly damaged. The crew was ordered to bail out but only five got out in time and were taken prisoner. The airplane went down in a spin and lost it's right wing. Shortly after it exploded in mid-air, killing the four others of it's crew.

The four killed crew members were initially buried at the Genesungsheim Cemetery at Bethlemstift, Hohenstein-Ernstthal.