Deopham Green in Norfolk, England: 3 Sept 1944 Target: Brest, France Mission #127

"The 452nd Bomb Group (H) put up two groups, A and B flying lead and low in the 45th Combat Wing. Their target was four 105 mm Howitzers located northwest of the town of Brest, France. Also included in today's target were strong points of troop concentration of Jerries, determined to hold up our use of the harbor facilities there. Bombing results of A group were good, but B were poor. B group encountered no flak or enemy fighters but A Group was hit by moderate, accurate and tracking flak.

Aircraft B-17G #43-38119, leader of A Group was hit by flak over Guernsey Island. No. 2 engine was seen on fire with flames reaching back to the top turret. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude and #2 engine fell off at 2,000 feet, #3 engine was feathered. The aircraft was seen to ditch at 0908 hours, and aircraft #175 sent out a fix to Air Sea Rescue. This aircraft is missing along with all crewmembers. Many of the attacking aircraft received flak damage partly because of th every low bombing altitude, which was 8,000 feet much below the regular bombing altitude of 20 to 25,000 feet."

_(Per Missing Air Crew Report #8609) Plane: B-17G, #43-38119, 729th Bomb Squadron

1st Lt. Miles E. Parmley - Pilot - KIA

Lt. Col. Carl Lloyd Liles - Co-Pilot (Command) - KIA

Capt. David T. Lewis - Navigator - KIA

Capt. Robert C. Gilg - Bombardier - KIA

Major John E. Clonts, Jr. - Observer - KIA

2nd Lt. William G. Campbell - Tail Gunner - KIA

T/Sgt. Jerry McGill - Engineer - KIA

T/Sgt. William F. Walsh - Radioman - KIA

S/Sgt. James A. Krueger - Ball Turret - KIA

S/Sgt. Walter H. Goeske - Waist Gunner - KIA

Carl L Liles