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Fisher Crew 805 Summary
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The Fisher Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1668 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They were assigned to the 858th BS, designated as Crew 805.
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Lt Robert Fisher signed out for a B-24J, 44-40152. To our knowledge they didn't name their plane. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their ground Crew Chief, S/Sgt Childs, flew with them, thus bumping Pfc Teal onto the Queen Elizabeth.
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By our count, Lt Fisher flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 805 for a total of 3 missions. We can't be positive of all of the personnel changes on some of their missions.
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The Fisher Crew participated in the bombing raid to Brunswich on 19 May 44. Without fighter escort the Group was met by about 40 German fighters. They survived the bloody assault, but their ship was badly damaged. They tried to make it back to England, but only got back as far as Holland when they were forced to bail out.
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According to Charles Herman in a phone interview, there were ten men on the plane that day. Reports on the Fisher Crew do vary as some claim a 9-man crew while others say there were 10 men. He went on to say that it looked as if the radio operator didn't even try to open his. Perhaps he had been knocked out or was too dazed. He also said that he heard from the others that the co-pilot's chute had failed to open and didn't survive the jump.
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He continued his story on how the Dutch tried to help the airmen escape. Some of the crew elected to turn themselves in rather than risk the lives of those willing to help. Others made a run for it with the resistance's help. One airman was smuggled all the way to the Spanish border before getting caught. Eventually they all became POWs.
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Lt Mallard's fate hasn't been confirmed. Perhaps that is why there are conflicting accounts. We found him listed in the NARA AAD's POW database, but no camp was given. We're not sure if the casualty count is 2 KIA, 8 POW or 1 KIA, 9 POW. But we are sure that there were 10 MIA, MACR 5243.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Fisher Crew 805
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Fisher, Robert D |
2nd Lt |
O-637321 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243, Stalag Luft I |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Mallard, Walter W Jr |
2nd Lt |
O-702307 |
19 May 44, MACR 5243
fate unconfirmed |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Johnson, Robert H |
2nd Lt |
O-703899 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243, Stalag Luft III |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Bagnosco, Angelo |
2nd Lt |
O-695128 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243
see Footnotes
Seen ASN as O-695123 |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Herman, Charles L |
S/Sgt |
37340817 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243, Stalag Luft IV
see footnotes |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Debowski, Joseph M |
S/Sgt |
13057528 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5243
Failed the jump
Buried at Ardennes, D-28-16 |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Corbin, Clarence A |
Sgt |
34439036 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Curtin, Edward J |
Sgt |
32789937 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Fain, John H |
Sgt |
16079407 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243, Stalag Luft IV |
RW Gunner
Armorer
MOS 612 |
Teal, Wilfred E |
Pfc |
11088981 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted Sgt
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5243, Stalag Luft IV |
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Others Who Flew with Fisher Crew 805
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Crew Chief
MOS 750 |
Childs, Arthur E |
S/Sgt |
38193487 |
Flew to England with the crew
Transferred to 859th
Promoted T/Sgt |
Medical
Officer
MOS 3162 |
Potter, Floyd A |
Maj |
O-400929 |
Group Flight Surgeon |
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Fisher Crew 805
492nd BG Mission Record
858th Bomb Squadron
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Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
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12 May 44 |
44-40115 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 02 |
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13 May 44 |
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Tutow, Germany |
Target: Airfield
w/Potter, medical officer |
| 03 |
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19 May 44 |
44-40152 |
Brunswick, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Lost: 2 KIA, 8 POW, MACR 5243 |
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