 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Back row, left to right...
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
|
|
Front row, left to right...
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
(unidentified)
|
| • |
Ellis Teter, gunner
|
|
|
|
Pratt Crew 818 Summary
|
|
The Pratt Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1671 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training school) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They had one personnel change after arriving to Alamogordo. They were assigned to the 858th BS, designated as Crew 818.
|
|
2nd Lt Charles Pratt signed out for a B-24J, 44-40151. They named their plane GI JOE. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. S/Sgt Abrams, the Group's NCO Intelligence Officer, flew with them, thus bumping Sgt Toth onto the Queen Elizabeth.
|
|
By our count, Lt Pratt flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 805 for one mission.
|
|
On 19 May 44, the Pratt Crew was involved in a bombing raid to attack a marshalling yard at Brunswick, Germany. The 492nd was caught without fighter protection by the German Luftwaffe. After being severely hit by FW-190s, Pratt announced to his crew that they were going to bomb the target "come hell or high water!" But the spreading fire forced an order to abandon ship. Only 3 gunners made it out before the fire reached the bomb bay causing the aircraft to explode into a huge fireball. 7 KIA, 3 POW, MACR 5244.
|
|
The plane crashed near Linsburg, Germany, which is roughly 8 kilometers southeast of Nienburg and Weser. The bodies were buried in the POW Cemetery at Linsburg. After the war, they were moved to Ardennes American Cemetery. Since then, some of the bodies have been brought back by their families.
|
|
Pratt's attitude and words, "We're going to bomb the target come hell or high water!" represented the rallying cry and spirit of everyone in the 492nd. Every time this Group had to battle the Luftwaffe, they punched their way through and nailed their target. Never once did stiff enemy resistance prevent this Group from carrying out their objectives.
|
|
|
|
|
More Info |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Original Roster for
Pratt Crew 818
|
|
| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Pratt, Charles C |
2nd Lt |
O-687761 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5244
Reburied in the USA |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Meyer, Leonard H |
2nd Lt |
O-702313 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5244
Ardennes Cemetery, D-12-42 |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Keller, Stanley J |
2nd Lt |
O-704006 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5244
Reburied in the USA |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Cantor, Samuel J |
2nd Lt |
O-676350 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5244
Reburied in the USA |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Peltz, Vincent |
S/Sgt |
37471329 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5244
Ardennes Cemetery, D-16-8 |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Manello, James M |
S/Sgt |
33495365 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5244
Reburied in the USA |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
West, Frank |
Sgt |
35623987 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5244, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Ray, Reuben W |
Sgt |
18165452 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5244
Ardennes Cemetery, D-16-11 |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Teter, Ellis W |
Sgt |
36158862 |
Promoted Sgt
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5244, Stalag Luft IV |
Tail Gunner
MOS 611 |
Toth, Paul R |
Sgt |
35530262 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5244, Stalag Luft III
See, Footnotes |
| |
Others Who Flew with Pratt Crew 818
|
Staff
Officer
MOS 631 |
Abrams, William F Jr |
S/Sgt |
20416048 |
Group NCO Intelligence Officer
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted T/Sgt |
|
Pratt Crew 818
492nd BG Mission Record
858th Bomb Squadron
|
|
Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
|
19 May 44 |
44-40151 |
Brunswick, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Lost: 7 KIA, 3 POW, MACR 5244 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
