Richard R. COLLINS

Source : Arnaud Gaté

Source : F Lavernhe

B-17 Fortress - type G-15-BO - s/n 42-31367 LG*R

"Chow Hound"

Macr: 8079
Mission: Bretteville-sur-Laize (14)
Take-Off: Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire UK - Remains discovered in 2002 by the ANSA 39/45
Hit by flak - Plane cut in half - the part before exploding in flight

Map Brittany American Cemetery

According to the official report when returning to the base of the other witnesses of the drama crews, August 8, 1944, at 13:10, the aircraft was flying in formation at an altitude of 4,250 meters.

He was responsible for thirty antipersonnel bombs of 150 kg each, intended to attack the German front line from behind for the enemy, then offered south of Caen, fierce resistance to Canadian troops and their was quitting progression.

As soon cross the liberated part, the Germans opened fire with their equipped DCA 88 caliber guns.

It is assumed that a shell reaches the full force bomber, severing the tail of the aircraft.

Out of control, the plane part spin.

Then a wing and an engine stand out from the fuselage before the aircraft plunged to the ground to catch fire, the bombs bursting under the effect of heat.

It was so sudden that the crew had no time to evacuate the plane and skydive. There would no survivors among the nine occupants.

The tail gunner was found still strapped to his seat.

This is the territory of the town of Lonlay l'Abbaye that the plane was shot down.

Source : R.C

Source : WWII History Fan