Lt
Winter's crew: Back row (L to R): George A.
Gardner (Ball Turret Gunner), James C. Underwood
(Waist Gunner), Hubert L. Crook (Waist Gunner -
Did not fly with this crew on the 30 January
mission. He flew with another crew but was also
shot down and killed), Richard C. Kausch (Radio
Operator), Paul Melcom (Flight Engineer/ Top
Turret - Paul did not fly on this mission due to
illness. He went on to complete his tour with
another crew and returned to the US), Floyd E.
Hart (asst Engineer).
Kneeling (L to R); Donald E. WInter (Pilot),
Kenny Thomas (Co-pilot), George Anderson
(Navigator), Edmund Torpey (Bombardier). Picture
Courtesy of Gene.
On January 30, 1944, the crew participated in a
mission to bomb an aircraft factory in
Braunschweig, Germany. On the way back to England,
the bombers were attacked by German fighters who
were sent up to intercept them. One source
states that Unteroffizier Franz Schilling, of
7./JG26, attacked a straggling bomber which he
shot down. It was his first shoot down. The
plane crashed north of Bergen aan Zee.
This was S/Sgt Underwood's B17.
It crashed near the town of Schoorl, on the
Dutch coast, near the Pirolavlakte. The whole
crew was killed in the crash.
S/Sgt James Underwood is buried at the
Chattanooga National Cemetery, Plot Y, grave
488.
