Mar 45
History > Statistical Data > Missing Air Crew Reports
Six crews were lost in March, 1945. Four crews were lost on bombing missions and two were lost supporting Operation VARSITY - the last airborne drop of World War II. Instead of bombs, the 445th dropped food, ammunition, and medical supplies to the airborne and glider troops who had just landed. To make sure they hit their drop zones, the B-24's went in at less than 300 ft altitude. They were low enough that conventional small arms fire (rifles, pistols and machineguns) would be dangerous. A hit on a pilot or copilot could cause the plane to nose over into the ground, like what happened to 1st Lt Jennis M. Strickland and Lt Col Carl Fleming. Both were struck by ground fire and the plane just dove into the snow covered German countryside.
MACR # | Date | Tail Number | Pilot | Cause |
12883 | 03 Mar 45 | 42-50692 | 2nd Lt John C. Saunders | Hit by flak; 1 KIA, 8 POW |
12882 | 04 Mar 45 | 44-48844 | 1st Lt Richard A. Winters | Hit by flak; 7 KIA, 4 POW |
13563 | 20 Mar 45 | 44-48851 | Capt John W. Barker | Hit by flak; 12 KIA |
13618 | 23 Mar 45 | 42-51223 | 1st Lt Thomas H. Sears | Hit by flak; 6 KIA, 3 POW |
13545 | 24 Mar 45 | 42-50620 | 1st Lt Raymond P. Schultz | Ground fire; 9 KIA |
13516 | 24 Mar 45 | 42-51245 | 1st Lt Jennis M. Strickland | Ground fire; 10 KIA |