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2 LT. Robert C. A. Carlson

427th BS/303rd BG(H)

On 15 May 1943 the 303rd was assigned the target of Wilhelmshaven, GER. On the way to Wilhelmshaven it was reported that the target area was under cloud cover and to attack the secondary target of the Heligoland Islands. The plane was hit by enemy fighters 25 miles west of Wilhelmshaven, GER, heading east toward Scharhorn Island with one of the engines smoking. It was also reported that one parachute was seen to open as the plane dived into a cloud to evade enemy fighters, it was never seen or heard from again.

The bodies of Bradshaw, Clapshaw, Vassel, Holder, Ryan and Morrison were recovered.

Map of crash site (click to enlarge)

Phone conversation with Al Martel

Al Martel was a member of the 303^rd and flew on the mission that my uncle was killed. He recalled that mission as very rough, with many fighter attacks. All of the planes received damage, some severe. They were amazed that only one plane was lost considering the damage sustained. Al did remember seeing my uncle’s plane fall out of formation and disappear into the clouds. He could remember this because it was the only plane lost that day and it stands out to him.

Replacements on May 15, 1943 mission

Rank	Name	Position	Serial #	Fate	Note
T/SGT	Lester O. Corn	TTE		KIA	1st mission
S/SGT	W. G. Morrison	LW		KIA	1st mission
S/SGT	Ward M. Kirkpatrick	BT		KIA	16th mission

303rd BG Combat Mission Report #36

Date: May 15, 1943

Target: Primary Wilhelmshaven, Secondary Airdrome & Naval installations, Heligoland Islands

Crews Dispatched: 24

Crews Lost: LT Jacques and crew, 3 crewmen slightly wounded

Length of mission: 5 Hrs., 50 Min.

Bomb load: 10 x 500 lb. H.E. M43 bombs

Bombing Altitude: 23,000 & 26,000 feet

Ammo fired: 45,722 rounds

Enemy aircraft claimed: 2 Destroyed, 3 Probables, 2 Damaged

The weather was ideal. Maj. Lewis E. Lyle led the main 303^rd BG(H) formation of 18 B-17's and Maj. Hagenbuch led the six aircraft of the 427BS formation that was part of the 303/305BG Composite Group. The primary target was the naval dockyards at Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany. One 427BS B-17 in the Composite Group aborted: #41-24587, Bad Check. The No. 1 engine and two generators went out.

The weather on the way to the primary target at Wilhelmshaven was excellent but as soon as the Group formation approached the German coast, 10/10 cloud cover developed. Light and inaccurate flak was seen.

The 1^st Bomb Wing, unable to bomb the primary target, opted to bomb targets of opportunity. The 303^rd BG(H) elected to bomb targets on the island installations at Heligoland, but was forced to abandon the bomb run when the 101^st PBCW passed underneath. Seven aircraft dropped 16 1/2 tons of 500-lb. bombs on the Heligoland airdrome and naval installations. Six aircraft jettisoned their bombs and 10 brought their bombs back to Molesworth.

Enemy aircraft opposition was considerable; 50 to 75 were reported. A running attack of over one hour developed when the formation crossed the enemy coast until it was well out to sea on the way home. FW-190s, ME-109s and ME-110s met Group aircraft and literally pounced upon them from all directions. Crews say they had never before seen so many at one time. There were 21 enemy attacks on the 303^rd BG(H). Group gunners destroyed two German fighters with an additional three as probable and two damaged.

MACR #15515 (click to enlarge)