In an earlier post \u2013 The Missing Photos: Photographic Images in Missing Air Crew Reports<\/a> – I described the 58 Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) which include photographs.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

This post \u2013 covering two such MACRs – brings you an example of one of these images. \u00a0(One image for two MACRs?\u00a0 I\u2019ll explain\u2026)<\/span><\/p>\n

The MACRs in question are numbers \u201c5033\u201d and \u201c5032\u201d, covering two 416th Bomb Group A-20G Havoc light bombers.\u00a0 Respectively, the Reports cover A-20G 43-10203 (5H * R<\/em>), piloted by First Lieutenant Lucian J. Siracusa, and, 43-10206 (2A * F<\/em>), piloted by First Lieutenant Allen W. Gullion, of the 668th and 669th Bomb Squadrons.\u00a0 Both planes were lost during a mission to Amiens, France, on May 27, 1944.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, all six crewmen aboard the two planes parachuted safely, to spend the remainder of the war as POWs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The circumstances under which the two planes were lost were identical.\u00a0 Both Havocs were shot down by flak which struck their right engines – at an altitude between 11,300 and 11,500 feet – shortly after 1800 hours (local time), during the 416th\u2019s bomb run.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The witnesses to the planes\u2019 loss \u2013 1 Lt. Gustave Ebenstein, S\/Sgt. Holley Perkins, and Sgt. S.P. Newell \u2013 the crew of A-20G 43-9907 of the 668th BS – were the same for both MACRs.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The maps filed with the two MACRs show the last location of the Havocs as having been north of the Somme River.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, Lt. Gullion’s aircraft was north-northeast of Amiens \/ west-northwest of Albert, as seen in the map from MACR 5032:
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>Lt. Siracusa’s plane was last seen between Amiens and Albert.\u00a0 In his postwar Casualty Questionnaire (the only such document in either MACR), he mentions that his plane crashed \u201c10 miles west of Amiens\u201d.\u00a0 The last position of his bomber is depicted in the map below, from MACR 5033:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>___________________<\/p>\n

On the “contemporary” side of things, Google maps of this region are shown below.\u00a0 The first map shows northern France, specifically the locations of Amiens and Albert…<\/span><\/p>\n

…while the map below shows the area between Amiens and Albert in more detail.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>____________________<\/p>\n

But, what about the airmen themselves?\u00a0 They were:<\/span><\/p>\n

A-20G 43-10203 (MACR 5033 \/ KU 809A)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pilot<\/strong>: 1 Lt. Lucian J. Siracusa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>POW (camp location unknown)<\/span>
\n Mrs. Philomena Siracusa (mother), 325 13th St., Palisades Park, N.J.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunner<\/strong>: S\/Sgt. James N. Hume\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>POW at Stalag Luft 4 (Gross-Tychow)<\/span>
\n Mrs. Edith R. Hume (mother), South Side Road, York Village, Me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunner<\/strong>: S\/Sgt. Floyd E. Brown\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>POW at Stalag Luft 4 (Gross-Tychow)<\/span>
\n Mrs. Evelyn G. Brown (wife), 9 Linden Ave., Moundsville, W.V.<\/span><\/p>\n

A-20G 43-10206 (MACR 5032 \/ KU 807A)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pilot<\/strong>: 1 Lt. Allen W. Gullion<\/strong>, Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 POW at Stalag Luft III (Sagan)<\/span>
\n Mrs. Allen W. Gullion (wife), 3333 Rittenhouse St., Northwest, Washington, D.C. <\/span>
\n c\/o Mrs. Thomas Moorman<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunner<\/strong>: S\/Sgt. Gerald L. Coffey\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>POW at Stalag Luft III (Sagan)<\/span>
\n Mr. George L. Coffey (father), Route Number Two, Dardanelle, Ak.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunner<\/strong>: S\/Sgt. Grady F. Cope\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>POW at Stalag Luft 4 (Gross-Tychow)<\/span>
\n Mrs. Myrtle V. Cope (mother), Route Number Two, Gould, Ok.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Germans filed Luftgaukommando Reports for both crews, which – at least as Luftgaukommando Reports go! \u2013 contain only nominal information about the planes and crewmen.\u00a0 Report KU 807A indicates that the crew of 43-10206 was captured at Vignacourt, while Report KU 809A, for 43-10203, mentions that Siracusa and Hume were captured at Bertangles, and Brown at Amiens.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The somme-aviation-39-45 website<\/a> reveals that 43-10206 crashed 1 kilometer west of Vignacourt, at Boise de Parisiens.\u00a0 The website includes a remarkable series of images of the recovery of the plane\u2019s wreckage (in 2006) with added commentary, which is quoted below:
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

As described:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/em>L\u2019excavation de Vignacourt a eu lieu le samedi 28 octobre 2006. \u00a0Les pr\u00e9visions m\u00e9t\u00e9orologiques laissaient craindre des averses mais finalement le travail pourra s\u2019effectuer convenablement. \u00a0L\u2019agriculteur a eu la gentillesse de diff\u00e9rer ses semis \u00e0 l\u2019emplacement du crash afin de nous permettre d\u2019effectuer les recherches.
\n\u201cLe Boston IV A20 G du 416\u00e8me Bomber Group de la 9\u00e8me Air Force des USA a ainsi \u00e9t\u00e9 retrouv\u00e9.
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLes deux moteurs, de type radial WRIGHT R-2600, ont \u00e9t\u00e9 retrouv\u00e9s \u00e0 un peu plus de 2 m\u00e8tres de profondeur, ce qui laisse \u00e0 penser que le bimoteur, s\u2019il n\u2019est pas arriv\u00e9 en vol rasant, a tout de m\u00eame heurt\u00e9 le sol avec un angle faible. \u00a0Ces moteurs ont tous deux \u00e9t\u00e9 br\u00fbl\u00e9s et l\u2019un des deux est d\u2019un volume moindre car il a certainement \u00e9t\u00e9 atteint par un obus de la DCA [D\u00e9fense Contre Avions]. \u00a0Nous avons \u00e9galement retrouv\u00e9 quelques cylindres, \u00e9galement br\u00fbl\u00e9s, dont nous pourrons extraire quelques soupapes qui semblent en bon \u00e9tat.
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEu \u00e9gard \u00e0 l\u2019emplacement des deux moteurs dans la terre, cet avion arrivait probablement du Sud \/ Sud-Est (trajectoire courbe \u00e0 partir d\u2019Amiens s\u2019orientant vers Vignacourt se trouvant au Nord-Ouest d\u2019Amiens).
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019autres pi\u00e8ces ont \u00e9galement \u00e9t\u00e9 retrouv\u00e9es : les deux moyeux d\u2019h\u00e9lice tripale, 3 pales plus ou moins endommag\u00e9es et tr\u00e8s corrod\u00e9es, des douilles de 12,7 mm br\u00fbl\u00e9es.
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuasiment toutes les pi\u00e8ces ont \u00e9t\u00e9 br\u00fbl\u00e9es et sont corrod\u00e9es \u00e0 cause de l\u2019incendie de l\u2019appareil.
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Translation?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

“The excavation of Vignacourt took place on Saturday, October 28, 2006. \u00a0The weather forecasts threatened showers but eventually the work could be done properly. \u00a0The farmer was kind enough to postpone his seeding at the crash site to allow us to do research.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

“Boston IV A-20G of the 416th Bomb Group of the 9th Air Force of the United States has been recovered.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

“The two engines, Wright R-2600 radials, were found at a depth of a little more than 2 meters, which suggests that the twin-engined [aircraft], if it has not [landed] in flight, nevertheless struck the ground at a low angle. \u00a0These engines were both burned and one of the two is of lesser volume as it was certainly hit by an anti-aircraft defense shell. \u00a0We also found some cylinders, also burnt, from which we could extract some valves that seemed in good condition.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

“In view of the location of the two engines in the ground, this aircraft probably came from the South \/ South-East (curved trajectory from Amiens to Vignacourt, northwest of Amiens).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

“Other parts have also been found: the two three-bladed propeller hubs, 3 blades more or less damaged and very corroded, burned 12.7 mm shells.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

“Almost all the parts had been burned and are corroded because of the fire.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

All well and good, and genuinely good:\u00a0 All six men returned.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

Other 9th Air Force A-20 losses that day, with relevant MACR and Luftgaukommando Report numbers, comprise the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

409th Bomb Group<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

43-9694, 640th BS, piloted by 2 Lt. Raymond L. Gregg<\/strong> (3 crew; no survivors) \u2013 MACR 5086; KU 1997<\/span>
\n 43-9446, 640th BS, piloted by Capt. Leland F. Norton<\/strong> (4 crew; 2 survivors) \u2013 MACR 5087; KU 1992<\/span><\/p>\n

410th Bomb Group<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

43-9665, 646th BS, piloted by 1 Lt. Richard K. Robinson<\/strong> (3 crew; 2 survivors) \u2013 MACR 5046; KU 1993 <\/span>
\n 43-10218, 647th BS, piloted by 2 Lt. Warren A. Thompson<\/strong> (3 crew; all survived) \u2013 MACR 5037; KU 1996<\/span><\/p>\n

416th Bomb Group<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

43-9983, \u201c2A * J<\/em>\u201d, 669th BS, piloted by 2 Lt. Harry E. Hewes<\/strong> (3 crew; all survived) \u2013 MACR 5035; KU 1977<\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

But, what about the photos\u2026?\u00a0<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s where things become interesting.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Both MACRs include a photograph of the two damaged planes falling below and behind the 416th\u2019s formation.\u00a0 A comparison of both pictures (not possible via Fold3) shows that the images are actually identical, having been printed from the same negative.\u00a0 The only difference is that the photographic print in MACR 5032 \u2013 notably darker than that in MACR 5033 \u2013 was presumably developed (by the 416th BG photo lab?*) longer.\u00a0 The notations at the bottom of the image in MACR 5033, such as focal length of 6 3\/8\u201d, probably argue for this being the \u201coriginal\u201d print.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, what about the photos\u2026?\u00a0<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s where things remain interesting.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a photograph taken under combat conditions \u2013 very likely by an automatic camera, at that \u2013 it\u2019s actually a very good photo.\u00a0 By sheer luck, the \u201cfocus\u201d of interest \u2013 the two mortally damaged A-20s \u2013 are situated within the center of the image.\u00a0 From the towns, forests, and farms on the earth below, to the 23 (ugh!) flak bursts in the upper left, to the four A-20s in flight, the resolution and clarity are excellent.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond this, the picture imparts an impression of depth (well, there was<\/em> over 11,000 feet of “depth” beneath the planes), as if the viewer is not only looking at<\/em> the four A-20s, but looking through and beyond them, as well.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

And ultimately, in this year of 2017, we are not only looking through space, but into the past.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And with that discussion – oh, yes! – here are the pictures….
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

The MACR for Lt. Siracusa’s bomber, first…<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>Here’s how the image looks in the actual MACR.\u00a0 Both the photographic print and the original documents comprising the MACR are in excellent condition.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>Here’s the photograph itself, scanned at 1200 dpi.\u00a0 Notice information at the bottom of the image covering date of mission, focal length of camera, and target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>The image once more, scanned at 2400 dpi, and cropped.\u00a0 The arrow is pointing to Lt. Siracusa’s plane.\u00a0 The fire enveloping his starboard nacelle is striking, even from a distance. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

And now, the MACR for Lt. Gullion’s plane…<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>As before, here’s the print as it appears in the MACR.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>And, the image itself, at 1200 dpi.\u00a0 Notice the obvious differences from the image in the previous MACR.\u00a0 No information has been recorded on the print.\u00a0 The photographic developing process brought out background details richly and deeply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>Zooming in at 2400 dpi.\u00a0 The arrow points to Lt. Gullion’s Havoc\u00a0 This cropped view shows both their smoking (and burning!) starboard engines quite clearly, with the canopy and dorsal turret of Lt. Gullion’s plane being readily visible.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

I hope to bring you more MACR photos in the future. <\/span><\/p>\n

Acknowledgements and References<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Further information about the 416th Bomb Group can be found at the extraordinarily comprehensive 416th Bomb Group website<\/a>, which covers the Group’s history and activities in a depth and breadth rarely found among most other websites covering Army Air Force Combat Groups.\u00a0 (Examples: The 416th BG website includes detailed information about men wounded or injured.\u00a0 Similarly, it includes combat mission loading lists.\u00a0 Such details are unusual, and moreso, unusually valuable.)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

416th Bomb Group Mission of 27 05 1944 to Amiens, at http:\/\/www.416th.com\/missions\/mission58.html<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

France-Crashes 1939-1945 website, (Daniel Carville), at http:\/\/francecrashes39-45.net\/index.php<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

A-20G 43-10206 (at France-Crashes website), at http:\/\/francecrashes39-45.net\/page_fiche_av.php?id=1848<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Somme Aviation website, at http:\/\/www.somme-aviation-39-45.fr\/index_.html<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Recovery of wreckage of A-20G 43-10206, at http:\/\/www.somme-aviation-39-45.fr\/pages-dossiers-decouverte\/boston-iv-a20-g-vignacourt-27-mai-1944\/boston-a-20g-vignacourt-27-mai-1944.html<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/p>\n

*Photo lab?\u00a0 Hey, what\u2019s a photo lab?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In an earlier post \u2013 The Missing Photos: Photographic Images in Missing Air Crew Reports – I described the 58 Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) which include photographs.\u00a0 This post \u2013 covering two such MACRs – brings you an example of one of these images. \u00a0(One image for two MACRs?\u00a0 I\u2019ll explain\u2026) The MACRs in … Continue reading The Missing Photos – I: A Panorama of Havoc – Two A-20 Attack-Bombers Over France<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,60,128,157],"tags":[206,207,208,209,210,203,202,252,211,212,75,204,205],"class_list":["post-1237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aviation","category-military-history","category-photography","category-second-world-war","tag-1-lt-allen-w-gullion","tag-1-lt-lucian-j-siracusa","tag-416th-bomb-group","tag-668th-bomb-squadron","tag-669th-bomb-squadron","tag-a-20g-43-10203","tag-a-20g-43-10206","tag-httpwww-416th-comcontents-html","tag-ku-807a","tag-ku-809a","tag-luftgaukommando-report","tag-macr-5032","tag-macr-5033"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1237"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1237\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4672,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1237\/revisions\/4672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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