Lester Volkamn ~~ 447thBS, Flight Officer Lester Volkman, Commissioned Bombardier, WIA on Mission 10 Nov. 1944

Volkmann, Lester W., F/O, bombardier (T-124334) (mann or man)(1121 N Ayers or Avers Ave, Chicago IL)(NARA - 16080757 VOLKMANN#LESTER#W# IL COOK CHICAGO IL 42) to Det of Pat, 33rd Gen Hosp 31 Dec 44 - WIA SWA crash 10 Nov 44

Friday, 10 November 1944 -

447th BS: Extracts from Missing Air Crew Report # 15275:

A/C No. 43-28082 “Traveling Comedy” (later “Modern Maiden”) (MACR-15275 – severely damaged – crash landed near Pisa) P

Ramey, Gordon, A., 1Lt – KIA

CP Condit, Albert K., 2Lt – KIA N Bardy, Edmund E., Jr., 1Lt – KIA B Volkmann, Lester W., F/O – WIA - taken to hospital in serious condition E Scarberry, Harold W., S/Sgt – bailed out behind enemy lines - MIA R Simberg, Alvin L., T/Sgt – bailed out – escaped with minor injuries G Kipp, Robert T., Cpl – KIA F None

AG 201-Bardy, Edmond E. Jr., (O) 5th Ind.

447th Bombardment Sq (M), 321st Bombardment Gp (M), APO 650, US Army, 8 Feb 45.

TO: CO, 321st Bombardment Group (M), APO 650, US Army.

1. In compliance with basic communication, the following is submitted:

a The aircraft, in which Lt. Bardy was bombardier, was damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire on bombing mission on Ostiglia Railroad Bridge, Italy, 10 November 1944. One engine was shot out and plane attempted to make an emergency landing on the emergency landing field at Pisa, Italy. When the first attempt to land failed, the pilot tried to make another landing. At this time, the other engine cut out and plane crashed into a canal ditch beyond the field. Before the crash, three members bailed out from approximately 300 feet and only two survived the jump.

F/O Volkman was evacuated to the Zone of the Interior to recover.

Lester W Volkmann