Memorial Sign Crash Location B-24H Liberator ‘42-95080’ ‘Super Wolf’

On February 16, 1945, the B-24 of USAAF 790 Bomb Squadron took off from the Royal Air Force Air Base Rackheath as part of an attack wave of 174 aircraft to bomb a shunting yard near Osnabrück. On the way back the B-24 was hit by Flug(zeug)abwehrkanone (Flak). Multiple Flak grenades exploded inside the aircraft, causing extensive damage.
At around 3.30 pm the B-24 crashed as a result of the shelling here in Valthe. The ten crew members managed to leave the aircraft in time with their parachutes. Eight were immediately taken prisoner of war and another crew member was also taken prisoner of war a few days later. One crew member died because his parachute did not open and was reburied at the American cemetery in Margraten.

Crew:
Pilot 2/Lt. J.D. Mullican O-827912 USAAF / prisoner of war
Co-Pilot 2/Lt. J.S. Young O2063747 USAAF / prisoner of war
Navigator F/O. W.J. Caselton T-132852 USAAF / evader
Special Operator S/Sgt. F.W. Connor Jr. 31299537 USAAF / prisoner of war
Engineer Sgt. W.M. Sies 36457521 USAAF / Margraten cemetery; grave K-16-12
Nose Gunner Sgt. W.H. Willis 32956496 USAAF / prisoner of war
Waist Gunner Sgt. L.E. Tomaski 36627461 USAAF / prisoner of war
Waist Gunner Sgt. C.R. Pratt 33806907 USAAF / prisoner of war
Waist Gunner Sgt. M.J. Brletich 37570442 USAAF / prisoner of war

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Source

• Text: Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe, in samenwerking met en mogelijk gemaakt door de Historische Vereniging Carspel Oderen.
• Photos: Rob Wethly, SLO Drenthe
• Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe