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Bocksberger Crew R-15 Summary
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The Bocksberger Crew was formed at Davis-Monthan Air Field in March at the 32nd CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Tucson, Arizona. Upon completion they went to Lincoln, Nebraska, for their assignment. They took the northern route to Ireland where they recieved two more weeks of training. They were then transferred to the 492nd at North Pickenham arriving in June.
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After some in-house training the crew was assigned to the 859th BS, designated as Crew 901. They began flying on 29 Jun 44. Their first one was rough, as they encountered haevy flak damage. By our initial count the Crew flew 4 missions. We're still researching how many were credited.
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They aborted one mission because after they left, their ship began running hot. Someone had forgotten to put the oil cap back on. The Crew returned with a full tank of gas and were loaded with bombs. On landing they overshot the runway and almost went into the forest at the edge of the base. The men and ship survived what could had been a disaster.
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On 7 Jul 44, they became one of the many casualties suffered by the Group that day. The mission's objective was to destroy and aircraft manufacturing plant at Bernburg, Germany. Near the target they were greeted by an overwelming force of enemy fighters. The Bocksberger Crew was shot down crashing near Ohrsleben, Germany. 2 KIA, 8 POW, MACR 7235.
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The plane crashed near Klein Quenstedt, Germany, which is about 1 kilometer southwest of Ohrsleben and 3 kilometers north of Halverstadt. The Germans found two charred bodies in the plane and were able to identify one of them as Lt Bocksberger. The bodies were taken to Ohrsleben and buried. But the records of who was who had been lost. The two bodies were brought back to the US and were given a group burial in the Grafton National Cemetery at Grafton, West Virginia.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Bocksberger Crew R-15
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Bocksberger, Alfred C |
2nd Lt |
O-696318 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235
Buried at Grafton National |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Frey, Ernest P |
2nd Lt |
O-706162 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235 |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Raisig, Arthur G |
2nd Lt |
O-713224 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235 |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
De Gregorio, Bernard |
2nd Lt |
O-706708 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235 |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Scott, Stanley T Jr |
S/Sgt |
33540820 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235, Stalag Luft IV |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Burns, James P |
S/Sgt |
32365346 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235 |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Spillman, Fred D |
Sgt |
34607666 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235 |
Gunner
MOS |
Harmon, Raymond C |
Sgt |
16111441 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235
Buried at Grafton National |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Yant, Richard L |
Sgt |
38455782 |
Promoted S/Sgt
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235 |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
O'Brian, Warren K |
Sgt |
11103989 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7235 |
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Bocksberger Crew R-15
492nd BG Mission Record
859th 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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29 Jun 44 |
44-40120 |
Magdeburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft Industry |
| 02 |
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4 Jul 44 |
44-40050 |
Beaumont-le-Roger, France |
Target: Airfield |
| Abort |
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6 Jul 44 |
42-50370 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Shipyard
Aborted, uncredited |
| 03 |
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7 Jul 44 |
42-50370 |
Bernburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft manufacturing
Lost: 2 KIA, 8 POW, MACR 7235 |
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