491 BG / 854 BS
2Lt Carl L. GEPPERT
From Wilmette, Illinois
KIA 26-11-1944 as co-pilot of B-24 J / #44-40108 / 6X-'A+' / 'Blue Disk' / MACR 11155.
Took off from North Pickenham. Target: Hannover-Misburg, Germany. On this mission the 491st Group lost 16 aircraft out of 31 dispatched. The formation was attacked by 100+ enemy aircraft. #44-40108 was shot down by fighters and crashed at Annaturm /Deister, 3 miles north of Springe, south-west of Hannover, Germany. 9 KIA.
2Lt Geppert is buried at Ardennes Cemetery, D-24-1.
The above photograph and additional aircraft info is courtesy of www.b24bestweb.com
The above photographs were sourced from Pilot Class Book 44-E, Lubbock, Texas (Advanced Pilot Training).
487 BG / 836 BS
2Lt Oscar F. ESHLEMAN
From West Chester, Pennsylvania.
KIA 24th December 1944 as co-pilot of B-17G / #43-38926 / 2G-? / MACR 11675.
Took off from Lavenham airfield. Target: Babenhausen, Germany. Attacked by FW-190's setting the wing and bomb bay on fire this aircraft fell off into a spin and blew up. Crashed at Rouvreux near Warnaumont Castle. 6 KIA / 3 RTD.
Lt Eshleman is buried at Henri Chapelle Cemetery, G-15-64.
The above photographs were sourced from Pilot Class Book 44-E, Lubbock, Texas (Advanced Pilot Training).
344 BG / 496 BS
F/O John T. HASSETT
From Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
KIA 4th April 1945 as co-pilot of B-26B / #42-96158 while on a Pathfinder mission to a target east of Trier, Germany.
It is believed that at the time of this mission F/O Hassett was attached to the 1st Pathfinder Squadron (Provisional).
Pathfinder crews were volunteers and serving on a detached duty status from other bomb groups within the IX Bomber Command structure. For example, the pilot of #42-96158 (Lt William Enneking was serving with the 397 BG / 598 Sqn.
The aircraft #42-96158 is known to have flown with 598 Sqn as U2-'J' / 'Little Peedoff'.
Flying under 1st Pathfinder Squadron 'management' it was possibly coded IH-'?' (individual Radio Call Letter unknown).
Took off from A-72 / Peronne, France on a pathfinder mission east of Trier, Germany. While returning from the target the aircraft developed engine problems. The pilot prepared for an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed in a wooded area 25 miles east of Trier. 3 KIA / 4 Survived.
F/O Hassett is buried at Luxembourg Cemetery, E-6-16. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-luxembourg-h/85382-hassett-john-t-lux-e-6-16
Above: B-26B #42-96158 / U2-'J' / 'Little Peedoff'. (Source: AAMIB / Freeman Collection / FRE 9634).
The photograph above left was sourced from Pilot Class Book 44-E, Curtis Field, Brady, Texas (Primary Training).
50 FG / 313 FS
2LT Clarence W. COOK
From Omaha, Nebraska.
KIA 25th April 1945 as pilot of P-47D / #44-32976 / W3-? / MACR 14160.
Shot down by flak while strafing. Crashed near Bad Aibling, north of Rosenheim, Germany.
2Lt Cook is buried at Lorraine Cemetery, C-31-57.
His file has not yet been added to our database but will soon be updated with the new found information.
The rather grainy photograph on the left was sourced from Pilot Class Book 44-E, Goodfellow Field, Texas (Basic Trianing).
The newspaper article was sourced via Find a Grave.
