You can Search the 450th Website from here Enter Your Search Criteria and click on the Magnifying Glass


Home Page «
Contact Us «
Terms of Use «


Current Newsletter «
Film & Books «
Reunion Pictures «
Site Updates «


Main Roster «
POW's «
Escape Statements «
Cemetery Listings «
Orders «
TAPS «


450th History «
Missions Flown «
S2 Reports «
Pilot-Bombardier Reports «
Operational Analysis «
Navigator Logs «
Aircraft Pictures «
Accident Reports «
M.A.C. Reports «
Crew Pictures «
Ground Personnel «
Veteran's Biographies «
Unidentified Personnel «
Veteran's Stories «
Target Pictures «
Maps «
Miscellaneous Pictures «
Newspaper Articles «
47th Wing Documents «
331st Air Service «
1st C.C.U. «


Current Guest Book «
Archived Guest Book «


Search Page «
Links Page «

 

Missing Air Crew Report
Aircraft #42-78334

I'll Get By - 722nd Squadron

WAR DEPARTMENT
HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCES
WASHINGTON

IMPORTANT:  This report will be compiled by each Army Air Forces organization within 48 hours of the time personnel are officially reported missing.

 1.  ORGANIZATION:  Location                  Manduria, Italy              Command or AF          15 AF            
                                     Group             450th Bomardment                  Squadron     722nd Bombardment     

 2.  SPECIFY:  Point of Departure        Manduria Air Base, Italy         Course                    North                 
                       Target       Schnechat A/D Austria        Type of Mission       Combat                                     

 3.  WEATHER CONDITIONS AND VISIBILITY AT TIME OF THE CRASH OR WHEN LAST REPORTED:
____________________________________Clear____________________________________________

 4.  GIVE  (a)  Date __26 June 1944______  Time __0956________  Location _48deg 07'N-16deg25'E___
                                                        of last know whereabouts of missing aircraft.
                (b)  Specify whether:  (X ) Last sighted      (  ) Last contacted by radio
                                                  (  ) Forced Down   (  )  Seen to crash;  or
                                                  (  )  Information not available.

 5.  *AIRCRAFT WAS LOST, OR IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN LOST, AS A RESULT OF:  (check
     only one)
       (  ) Enemy Aircraft                        ( X ) Enemy Anti-Aircraft               (  * other circumstances as 
       follows:  __________________________________________________________________________

 6.  AIRCRAFT:  Type, Model & Series  _____B-24G___________  AAF Serial No __   42-78334_______

 7.  ENGINES  :   Type, Model & Series  ____P&W R-1830______  AAF Serial No (a)_42-59450______
                            (b)_CP 302015________  (c) _CP 132787__________  (d)  __CP 303399__________

 8.  INSTALLED WEAPONS:(Furnish below Make, Type, and Serial Number) All Browing Air-Cooled M-1
     (a)  _985468_________________________  (b)  __1249360_______( J )  985241_______________
     (c)  _985890_________________________  (d)  __1249386_______( J )  1249320______________
     (e)  _985690_________________________  (f)  ___1249372________________________________
     (g)  _985834_________________________  (h)  __1249369________________________________

 9.  PERSONNEL LISTED BELOW REPORTED AS:  ( X ) Battle Casuality  (  )  Non-Battle Casuality

10.  NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT:  Crew _10__  Passengers ___0___  Total  __10__
       (Starting with "Pilot" furnish the following particulars;  if more than 12 persons were aboard list similar
         particulars on separate sheet and attach to this form.)

                          NAME IN FULL                             NAME OF KIN, RELATIONSHIP,AND ADDRESS
      CREW  POSITION    (Last name first)
 1.  Pilot    Schoeffler, Robert A.                                   2d Lt.  0-814985       Betty Jane Schoeffler, wife,       
                                                                                   19500 Raymond St., Maple Heights, Bedford, Ohio    
 2.     CP   Follett, Warren S.                                        2d Lt.  0-820984       Sibyla S. Follett, mother,           
                                                                                   75 Glen Ave., Granston, Rhode Island                         
 3.       N   Shull, Ernest R.                                            2d Lt.  0-708137       Mary LaRue Shull, wife            
                                                                                   503 South St., Altoone, Pennsylvania                          
 4.       B   Varabaic, John G.                                         2d Lt.  0-706885      Matthew F. Karabaic, father,    
                                                                                   2755 Hering Ave., Bronx, New York                         
 5.       E    Borgers, John J.                                           S/Sgt.  32608889      Mary Borgers, mother,             
                                                                                   10 Brown Ave., Prospect Park, New Jersey               
 6.       R    Harris, William E., Jr.                                   S/Sgt.  14119305      Meldra R. Harris, wife,            
                                                                                   P. O. Box 31, Dexter, Georgia                                   
 7.       G    Sartori, Baptista J., Jr.                                  Sgt.   33669711         Baptista, J. Sartori, Sr., father 
                                                                                   Box 227, Blaridge, Pennsylvania                                 
 8.       G    Rossney, James E.                                        Sgt.   42020674        Jessie Rossney, mother           
                                                                                   93 Noralk Ave., Buffalo, New York                           
     9.     AG          Riley, James H., Jr.                             PFC    14064202      Kolita P. Riley, wife                    
                                                                                     147 Indian Ave., Wichita, Kansas                                
 10.        G          Hrnchar, Daniel                                   Sgt.     35065999      Christine Hrnchar, mother          
                                                                                     RFD #1, Grafton, Ohio                                               
 11.   ________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                     __________________________________________
 12.   ________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                     __________________________________________

11.  IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE LAST KNOWLEDGE OF 
       AIRCRAFT AND CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one)   COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SALE:
                                                                                            Contacted        Last                        Saw
       NAME IN FULL           RANK   SERIAL NO            By Radio       Sighted         Crash Forced Landing
  1.  _Joseph C. Darby_____T/Sgt.___19148243____________________X_________________________
  2.  _John G. Clark_______T/Sgt.___32488177____________________X_________________________
  3.  _________________________________________________________________________________
  4.  _________________________________________________________________________________
  5.  _________________________________________________________________________________
  6.  _________________________________________________________________________________

12. IF PERSONNEL ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SURVIVED, CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
      (  ) Parachutes were used                                (  ) Persons seen walking away from scene of crash
      (  ) Any other reason (specify)       Six parachutes seen by eyewitnesses.                                                      

13.  ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, EITHER AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH, MAP,
       CHART, OR SKETCH, SHOWING APPROXIMATE LOCATION WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST
       SEEN.

14.  ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYEWITNESS DISCRIPTION OF CRASH,
       FORCED LANDING, OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT.

15.  ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF
       SEARCH, IF ANY, AND GIVE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN 
       CHARGE HERE:      (in no search, so stated giving reason)       None                                                      
     _________________________________________________________________________________
     _________________________________________________________________________________
 

                                                                                                              Date of this Report _29 June 1944__
 

H E A D Q U A R T E R S
FOUR FIFTIETH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), AAF
APO FIVE TWO ZERO                                           US ARMY

                                                                                                                                          30 June 1944
 

     On 26 June, our group was on a mission to bomb the target at Schnechat, Austria.  I was flying as the right waist gunner in ship #205 in the lead element of the second attack unit.  Lieutenant Schoeffler's aircraft #42-78334, was in the high right element of the first attack unit.  Over the target area after our formation had dropped the bombs, I saw Lieutenant Schoeffler's ship leave formation and head in the opposite direction.  The number 4 engine was on fire caused by a flak hit.  Soon after I saw six men bail out at regular interval.  When I last saw the ship it was under control.  The altitude was approximately 19,000 feet.  The time was 0956.  The coordinates were 48deg07'N-16deg25'E.
 

                                                                                                        T/SGT. Joseph C. Darby
                                                                                                        ASN 19148243

H E A D Q U A R T E R S
FOUR FIFTIETH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), AAF
APO FIVE TWO ZERO                                           US ARMY

                                                                                                                                          30 June 1944
 

     On 26 June, our group was on a mission to bomb the target at Schnechat, Austria.  I was flying as the right waist gunner in ship #205 in the lead element of the second attack unit.  Lieutenant Schoeffler's aircraft #42-78334, was in the high right element of the first attack unit.  Over the target area after our formation had dropped the bombs, I saw Lieutenant Schoeffler's ship leave formation and head in the opposite direction.  The number 4 engine was on fire caused by a flak hit.  Soon after I saw six men bail out at regular interval.  When I last saw the ship it was under control.  The altitude was approximately 19,000 feet.  The time was 0956.  The coordinates were 48deg07'N-16deg25'E.
 

                                                                                                        T/SGT. Joseph C. Darby
                                                                                                        ASN 19148243

Sketch showing location where Lt. Schoeffler's Ship #42-78334 was last seen.

Date:  26 June 1944
Time:  0956
Position:  48 Degrees 7 Minutes N - 16 Degrees 25 Minutes E


Sketch drawn from 1/500,000
Section Map of Wein

(Map Reproduced by Craig Linn)
 

INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

Name of crew member:                                                           SCHOEFFLER, ROBERT A.
Rank:                                                                                      2nd Lt.
Serial Number:                                                                        0-814985
Position:  Crew (Bomber)                                                        Pilot

Did he bail out?               Yes                                                                                                                             

Where?             On Hungarian / Yugo Border                                                                                                     

If not, why not?                                                                                                                                                  

Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:                                                                    

           Gave us Bail out order.                                                                                                                            

Was he injured?                  NO                                                                                                                          

Where was he last seen?    IN FRANCE AWAITING SHIPMENT HOME                                                      

Any heresay information:                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

Source:                                                                                                                                                             

Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

Total number of missions of above crew member:                        19                                                                   

Dates and destinations if possible:                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                          Signed John G. Karabaic

 

CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

 1.  Your name                 JOHN G. KARABAIC                   Rank      2nd Lt.          Serial No.     0-706885 

 2.  Organization    450th     Gp Commander   Gideon     Rank  COL.    Sqn CO   McWatter     Rank   MAJ 
                                                                  (full name)                                           (full name)
 3.  What year          1944                month       JUNE        day     26       did you go down?

 4.  What was the mission,   SCHWEICOTT    ,target,                                                   ,target,  ___________
       time,          0958                   ,altitude,     25000                            route scheduled,  _________________
                                                 ,route flown   _________________________________________________

 5.  Where were you when you left formation?                 20 MINUTES FROM TARGET _______________

 6.  Did you bail out?                       YES _____________________________________________________

 7.  Did other members of crew bail out?                      YES _______________________________________
                                                                           _______________________________________________

 8.  Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionaire is
      attached bailed out.  A crew list is attached.  Please give facts.  If you don't know, say:  "No Knowledge".
        NO CREW LIST ATTACHED.  HOWEVER ALL MEN BAILED OUT IN 10 SECONDS _________
      (by the watch)   ALL TAKEN PRISONER.   NONE WOUNDED, ALL LIBERATED ______________
        APRIL TO MAY 1945 ______________________________________________________________

 9.  Where did your aircraft strike the ground?      About 4 miles from me _____________________________

10.  What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground?                                 (Should
        cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)  ______________________________________
                                                                    NONE                 ____________________________________
         ________________________________________________________________________________

11.  Where they in the aircraft?  ____________________________________________________________

12.  What was their condition?  ____________________________________________________________

13.  When, where, and in what condition did you last seen any members not already described above?
                        ALL SEEN IN BUDAPEST PRISON.  ENLISTED MEMBERS LAST SEEN LEAVING __
                   BUDAPEST FOR POW CAMP LATER LIBERATED.    ALL OTHER OFFICERS LIVED ___
               WITH ME IN POW CAMP.  LAST SEEN IN FRANCE AWAITING SHIPMENT HOME _____
                                     __________________________________________________________________

14.  Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge.
       Indicate source of information.   _________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
                                                              ______________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________

                                         (Any additional information may be written on the back)
 

INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

Name of crew member:                                                           SCHOEFFLER, ROBERT A.
Rank:                                                                                      2nd Lt.
Serial Number:                                                                        0-814985
Position:  Crew (Bomber)                                                        Pilot

Did he bail out?               Yes                                                                                                                            

Where?             About 10-15 miles south of Nagykanisza, Hungary                                                                   

If not, why not?                                                                                                                                                 

Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:     He was attempting to maintain the plane   

 in level flight until the crew had all bailed out, I shook hands with him before going into the bomb bay to bail out. 

Was he injured?                  NO                                                                                                                         

Where was he last seen?    Camp Lucky Strike, France preparing for return to U.S.A.____________________

Any heresay information:  Received a Christmas card from him and his wife Dec. 1945 from Albany, Ga.______

(address there 219 1st St.)  a date after he was liberated from Prisoner of War Camp Stalag VII A, Germany__
                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

Source:                                                                                                                                                             

Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                         

Total number of missions of above crew member:        22 missions (14 sorties)                                                  

Dates and destinations if possible:  Marselles 27 May 44, Wiener Neustadt 27 May, Ploesti 31 May_________

Simeria, Romania 2 June, Genoa 4 June, Castel Maggiore 5 June, Ploesti 6 June, Munich 9 June, ___________

Osijek, Yugoslavia 14 June, Bratislavia, Czechoslavia 16 June, Ferrara 22 June, Wiener Neustadt about 23 June

Toulon 25 June, Schwechat 26 June (MIA on last mission)._________________________________________

                                                                                                          Signed John G. Karabaic

 

CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

 1.  Your name                 JOHN G. KARABAIC                   Rank      2nd Lt.          Serial No.     0-706885 

 2.  Organization    450th     Gp Commander   Gideon     Rank  COL.    Sqn CO   McWatter     Rank   MAJ 
                                                                  (full name)                                           (full name)
 3.  What year          1944                month       JUNE        day     26       did you go down?

 4.  What was the mission,   SCHWEICOTT    ,target,                                                   ,target,  ___________
       time,          0958                   ,altitude,     25000                            route scheduled,  _________________
                                                 ,route flown   _________________________________________________

 5.  Where were you when you left formation?                 20 MINUTES FROM TARGET _______________

 6.  Did you bail out?                       YES _____________________________________________________

 7.  Did other members of crew bail out?                      YES _______________________________________
                                                                           _______________________________________________

 8.  Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionaire is
      attached bailed out.  A crew list is attached.  Please give facts.  If you don't know, say:  "No Knowledge".
        NO CREW LIST ATTACHED.  HOWEVER ALL MEN BAILED OUT IN 10 SECONDS _________
      (by the watch)   ALL TAKEN PRISONER.   NONE WOUNDED, ALL LIBERATED ______________
        APRIL TO MAY 1945 ______________________________________________________________

 9.  Where did your aircraft strike the ground?      About 4 miles from me _____________________________

10.  What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground?                                 (Should
        cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)  ______________________________________
                                                                    NONE                 ____________________________________
         ________________________________________________________________________________

11.  Where they in the aircraft?  ____________________________________________________________

12.  What was their condition?  ____________________________________________________________

13.  When, where, and in what condition did you last seen any members not already described above?
                        ALL SEEN IN BUDAPEST PRISON.  ENLISTED MEMBERS LAST SEEN LEAVING __
                   BUDAPEST FOR POW CAMP LATER LIBERATED.    ALL OTHER OFFICERS LIVED ___
               WITH ME IN POW CAMP.  LAST SEEN IN FRANCE AWAITING SHIPMENT HOME _____
                                     __________________________________________________________________

14.  Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge.
       Indicate source of information.   _________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
                                                              ______________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________

                                         (Any additional information may be written below)
 

CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

 1.  Your name                 Shull, Ernest R.                              Rank      1st Lt.          Serial No.     0-708137 

 2.  Organization    450th B.     Gp Commander  Mills    Rank  COL.    Sqn CO   McWhorter     Rank   MAJ 
                                                                  (full name)                                           (full name)
 3.  What year          1944                month       JUNE        day     26       did you go down?

 4.  What was the mission,   SCHWECHAT,Austria    ,target,   Heinkle A/C Factory     ,target,  ___________
       time,   about 0930                 ,altitude,     about 21000                  route scheduled,    Italy to Yugoslavia__
       to L. Balalam to Papa to I.P.,    route flown   _flew as briefed__  _______________________________

 5.  Where were you when you left formation?                 In Vicinity at Nagyhanisza, Hungary______________

 6.  Did you bail out?                       YES _____________________________________________________

 7.  Did other members of crew bail out?                     All bailed out._________________________________
                                                                           _______________________________________________

 8.  Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionaire is
      attached bailed out.  A crew list is attached.  Please give facts.  If you don't know, say:  "No Knowledge".
      (Pilot Schoeffler, last to bail out around 1005A.M. thru bombay.)  Bombardier Karabaic, Nav. Shull______
      ,Engineer Borgers, Arm. Gunner Riley, Copilot Follett about 1000 A.M. thru bombay rather close to each__
      other, R/O Harris, Ass. R/O Rossney, Ass. Eng. Sartori, Cat. Gunner Hrnchar about 1000 A.M. thru ____
      camera hatch, rather close to each other.___________________________________________________

 9.  Where did your aircraft strike the ground? West of a small town about 10-15 miles south of Nagyhanisza.__

10.  What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground?                                 (Should
        cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)  ______________________________________
                                                                                                 ____________________________________
         ________________________________________________________________________________

11.  Where they in the aircraft?  ____________________________________________________________

12.  What was their condition?  ____________________________________________________________

13.  When, where, and in what condition did you last seen any members not already described above?
                      _______________________________________________________________________ __
                   _______________________________________________________________________ ___
               _______________________________________________________________________ _____
                                     __________________________________________________________________

14.  Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge.
       Indicate source of information.   _________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
                                                              ______________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________

                                         (Any additional information may be written on the back)

The entire crew except Lt. Schoeffler (pilot) were assembled as captured enemy personnel by the Hungarians in the small town near where the plane crashed, then later that day (26 June) to a town east or north-east of scene of the crash because of mob tendencies of the townspeople.  The following day the nine were moved to Budapest to the Nat'l prison.  Lt. Schoeffler was joined with them eight or ten days later.  The enlisted men were moved to a P.O.W. camp in Germany (learned later that it was near Stettin) abou that time we four officers were moved to Stalag Luft 3, Sagan, Germany four days later.  Moved out of there 27 Jan, 1945 to Stalag 7A, Moosberg, Bavaria and liberated at this camp 29 April 1945.  Were then moved to Camp Lucky Strike, France for transportation to the Z.I.  Here Air Liaison had informed about one enlisted man, Sartori.  The other officers were contacted upon arrival in the states.
 

INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

Name of crew member:                                                           SCHOEFFLER, ROBERT A.
Rank:                                                                                      2nd Lt.
Serial Number:                                                                        0-814985
Position:  Crew (Bomber)                                                        Pilot

Did he bail out?               Yes _____________________________________________________________

Where?             Over Southern Hungary_____________________________________________________

If not, why not?  _______________________________________________________________________

Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:   ________________________________

           _______________________________________________________________________________

Was he injured?                  NO                                                                         _______________________

Where was he last seen?    In Para Chute. - I then saw him in Budapest Hungary and spoke to him in Solitary._ 

Any heresay information:   He went to officers prison camp and I saw him last at La Havre, France (Camp Lucky

Strike) after the war.____________________________________________________________________ 

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                         ________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

Source:   _____________________________________________________________________________

Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:   _________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

                                                               _____________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

Total number of missions of above crew member:           Twenty Two________________________________

Dates and destinations if possible:   Can not remember all dates.____________________________________

       _________________________________________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                          Author Unknown.

 

CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

 1.  Your name                 Baptista J. Sartori Jr.                        Rank      S/Sgt.          Serial No.     33669011 

 2.  Organization    450___     Gp Commander  Mills    Rank  Col  .    Sqn CO   McWhorter     Rank   MAJ 
                                                                  (full name)                                           (full name)
 3.  What year          1944                month       JUNE        day     26       did you go down?

 4.  What was the mission, ____Vienna_____   ,target,  ______ Oil Refinery______     ,target,  ____________
       time,   10:30____                 ,altitude,      ____29000                  route scheduled,    _________________
       _______________________    route flown   ______________  _______________________________

 5.  Where were you when you left formation?                 Over Yugoslavia_____________________________

 6.  Did you bail out?                       YES _____________________________________________________

 7.  Did other members of crew bail out?                     Yes ________________________________________
                                                                           _______________________________________________

 8.  Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionaire is
      attached bailed out.  A crew list is attached.  Please give facts.  If you don't know, say:  "No Knowledge".
      The whole crew bailed out right after I did and was all captured.  The enlisted men were all with me at_____
      Stalag 4___________________________________________________________________________
        ________________________________________________________________________________

 9.  Where did your aircraft strike the ground?      Unknown__________ _____________________________

10.  What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground?                                 (Should
        cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)  ___none_______________________________
                                                                    ______                 ____________________________________
         ________________________________________________________________________________

11.  Where they in the aircraft?  ____________________________________________________________

12.  What was their condition?  ____________________________________________________________

13.  When, where, and in what condition did you last seen any members not already described above?
                        I saw my tail gunner, nose gunner, Co-pilot and Pilot in France after the war was over._____ __
                   _______________________________________________________________________ ___
               _______________________________________________________________________ _____
                                     __________________________________________________________________

14.  Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge.
       Indicate source of information.   ___________I met all my crew_________________________________
        except my pilot when I went down that day about an hour after I was captured, excepting for my navigators
        sprained ankle and my hurt from the lower chute straps, eveyrone was alright.______________________
        I met my pilot at Budapest Prison two days before we left._____________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________

                                         (Any additional information may be written on the back)
 
I was with the enlisted men in Stalag Luft 4 until Feb 6, 1945, I later met my Pilot, Co-pilot, my tail gunner and armorer in france after our Liberation of Stalag Luft I.  I met my Co-pilot in Atlantic City.  And since then I got cards from all except my armor gunner and Bombardier.

I had also my watch and ring take from me at Budapest Prison worth in all (twenty dollars). $20.00)  My crew can verify this.

INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

Name of crew member:                                                           SCHOEFFLER, ROBERT A.
Rank:                                                                                      2nd Lt.
Serial Number:                                                                        0-814985
Position:  Crew (Bomber)                                                        Pilot

Did he bail out?               Yes ______________________________________________________________

Where?            In Hungary, SE of Vienna, almost to Yugoslav border ( app 15 miles)____________________ 

If not, why not?  ________________________________________________________________________

Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:   ___Last conversation consisted of ______

   Schoeffler's order for the crew to bail out at app. 7000 feet.______________________________________ 

Was he injured?                  No.________________________                                                                         

Where was he last seen?    I last saw Schoeffler in Camp Lucky Strike, France_________________________ 

Any heresay information:   At Lucky Strike I also met John Sartori, our waist gunner, who had been interned___

 with the other enlisted men of our crew, and he reported all of them in satisfactory health when last seen by ___

 him, possibly a month before our meeting.____________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                         _______________

 ___________________________________________________________________________________

Source:   _____________________________________________________________________________

Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:   Schoeffler has written me since his return__

 to the States from Miami, Florida, here I believe he was at a recouperation center.______________________

                                                               _____________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

Total number of missions of above crew member:           twenty-two (22)_____________________________

Dates and destinations if possible:   Between May23,'44 and June 26, '44 - - Vienna, Ploesti, Marseilles, Toulon,

  Munich, Wienustadt?, targets in northern Italy, and Yugoslavia, and Regansburgh? and others._____________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                         

CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

 1.  Your name                 Warren Smith Follett                         Rank      2nd Lt.         Serial No.     0-820984 

 2.  Organization    450 B.       Gp Commander    ?        Rank   Col.     Sqn CO   McWhorter     Rank  Major 
                                                                  (full name)                                           (full name)
 3.  What year          '44                month       JUNE        day     26       did you go down?

 4.  What was the mission,               Vienna                  ,target,   He.111 Factory    field     ,target,   _________
       time,      app.0900                 ,altitude,     app.20,000'                   route scheduled,    Adriatic,              __
       Yougoslav-Hungary                   route flown   _same              __  _______________________________

 5.  Where were you when you left formation?                 Just before hitting I.P.                      ______________

 6.  Did you bail out?                       Yes _____________________________________________________

 7.  Did other members of crew bail out?   Yes, all bailed out safely - - I talked with all of the crew members at 
        Budapest..                                                 _______________________________________________

 8.  Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionaire is
      attached bailed out.  A crew list is attached.  Please give facts.  If you don't know, say:  "No Knowledge".
      Each of the crew bailedout with no confusion, and all landed in an area within the radius of a mile;  Schoeffler
      stayed with the plane, giving full throttle to the one remaining good engine, and removing all trim, so that the   
      plane would spin and crash, demolished - - the spinning plane was hard to leave, but Schoeffler's chute      _
      opened just before the plane hit, and I spent ten months in prison with him,..

 9.  Where did your aircraft strike the ground?  Hungary between L. Balaton & Yougo.__________________

10.  What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground?                                 (Should
        cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)  NONE.________________________________
                                                                                                  ____________________________________
         ________________________________________________________________________________

11.  Where they in the aircraft?  ____________________________________________________________

12.  What was their condition?  ____________________________________________________________

13.  When, where, and in what condition did you last seen any members not already described above?
         All seen and spoken to in Budapest prison;  The officers (four of us were together in prison camp, and      
         Sartori, (Box 227, Clairidge, Penn) seen at Camp Lucky Strike, France, had been in camp with all the    _
         enlisted men of the crew, and he stated that they were all healthy.                                                            _
                                     __________________________________________________________________

14.  Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge.
       Indicate source of information.   _NONE.__________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
                                                              ______________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________

                                         (Any additional information may be written on the back)

Warren S. Follett, 2nd Lt. A.C., 0-820984
75 Glen Avenue
Edgewood, Rhode Island

Subject:  Casualty Information of Crew Members

To:  Commanding General, AAF,

Dear Sir;  I don't quite understand the purpose of this letter to me dated February 22.

My entire crew was accounted for when I met and talked to Personally each and everyone one of them at Budapest prison shortly after capture.

The four of us officers were inmates of the same camps at the same time, and allin everyday conversation with one another.

I have received letters from most of them since returning home (all of the officers, and most of the enlisted men), and talked to John Sartori of this residence (Box 227, Clairridge, Penn.) at Camp Lucky Strike just prior to coming to the States, and again at Atlantic City, New Jersey, and he confired that all of the enlisted men were in good spirits when last seen by him (probably the first part of May, a little over a month before returned to the States.

I will be only too willing to be of any service, possible.

                                                                             Sincerely,
                                                                             Warren S. Follett
                                                                             (signed Warren S. Follett)
                                                                              2nd Lt. O.R.C.  A.C.

INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

Name of crew member:                                                           SCHOEFFLER, ROBERT A.
Rank:                                                                                      2nd Lt.
Serial Number:                                                                        0-814985
Position:  Crew (Bomber)                                                        Pilot

Did he bail out?               Yes _____________________________________________________________

Where?     Hungary_____________________________________________________________________

If not, why not?  _______________________________________________________________________

Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:   Was given approx. position report and ___

  and order to abandon ship._______________________________________________________________

Was he injured?     No_______________________________                                                                         

Where was he last seen?   IN BUDAPEST PRISON ON JULY 4TH OR 5TH 1944.___________________ 

Any heresay information:   Have letter dated May 2nd 1945 in which his wife reports receiving telegram of his    

 release from Stalag 7-A., through, Ed Haaker, N.B.C. Reporter telegram described him as well and on way      

 home.  Have letter dated Aug 1, 1945 from Batista Sartori, left waist gunner, which states that he saw________

 Lt. Shoeffler in France.    _________________________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

Source:   Described him as looking a bit pale.__________________________________________________

Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:   NONE ------_______________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

                                                               _____________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

Total number of missions of above crew member:        Approx 24___________________________________

Dates and destinations if possible:   (May 31, '44 - Ploesti) -- (June 2nd 1944 - Senria Romania) -- (June 4 -     

 Gennoa Italy) (June 5 - N.N.E. of Bolona Italy) (June 6 Ploesti, Rumania)(June 9 - Munich)(June 14 -_______

Yugoslavia)(June 16 Bratislava, Czechoslovakia)(June 22 Udine Yugoslavia)(June 25 Marseilles France)            

 (June 26 Heinkel 111 Factory in Vienna Austria)

CASUALTY QUESTIONAIRE

 1.  Your name                 William E. Harris                              Rank      T/Sgt.           Serial No.    14119305  

 2.  Organization    None     Gp Commander __ --___    Rank  __--_    Sqn CO      ---         Rank   -----       
                                                                  (full name)                                           (full name)
 3.  What year          1944                month       JUNE        day     26       did you go down?

 4.  What was the mission,      Vienna, Austria              ,target,   Heinkle 111 Factory      ,target,  ___________
       time,      9:46                         ,altitude,           26,000                     route scheduled,         ?  ___________
       ______________________    route flown              ?             __  _______________________________

 5.  Where were you when you left formation?         Approx 8 min from Vienna ________________________

 6.  Did you bail out?                       YES _____________________________________________________

 7.  Did other members of crew bail out?                    YES________________________________________
                                                                           _______________________________________________

 8.  Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionaire is
      attached bailed out.  A crew list is attached.  Please give facts.  If you don't know, say:  "No Knowledge".
      Bail out order given at 10:12.  All members bailed out at once.  All members landed safe, navigator, Lt. Shull
      sprained ankle.  Pilot last to go left at approx 1000 FT.________________________________________
      _________________________________________________________________________________

 9.  Where did your aircraft strike the ground?      About 20 mile east of Yugoslavia Border_ ______________

10.  What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground?                                 (Should
        cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)  _None________________________________
                                                                   _______                ____________________________________
         ________________________________________________________________________________

11.  Where they in the aircraft?  __---_______________________________________________________

12.  What was their condition?  __---_______________________________________________________

13.  When, where, and in what condition did you last seen any members not already described above?
         Saw all officers last on July 4 or 5 1944.  All OK.  Saw all E.M. in Stalag.  Sartori was sick when we left_
         him Feb 6 1945 when camp was evacuated.  Have letter from him to verify safety.  Left Hrnchar & Riley_
         April 16 when escaped with Rossney & Borgers.  Was with them in hospital in England.  Have letters from
        them to verify safety._________________________________________________________________

14.  Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge.
       Indicate source of information.   __No Knowledge._ _________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
                                                              ______________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________________________________

                                         (Any additional information may be written on the back)

DATE:  26 JUNE 1944, 1100 hours        Rank              Name                    USA 225                  ME 1540____
PLACE: Hungary, Yugoslavian                  2nd Lt.           SCHOEFFLER    Robert A.                  0-814985
              border                                         2nd Lt.           FOLLETT   Warren S.                          0-820984
TYPE:  Liberator                                       2nd Lt.           SHULL   Ernest R.                                0-708137
UNIT:  722nd HB.Sqd.,450th Group        2nd Lt.           KARABAIC   John G.                           706885
            47th Wing                                     T/Sgt.             BORGERS   John I.                               32608889
AIR BASE:  Manduria (7)                         S/Sgt.             HARRIS Jr.  William E.                         14119305
TARGET:  A.W. southeast                        Cpl.                RILEY   James H. Jr.                            14064202
                                                                 Sgt.                ROSSNEY  James R.                            42020674
                                                                 Sgt.                SARTORI  Baptista J. Jr.                       33169711
                                                                 Sgt.                HRNCHAR  Daniel                                35065999
 
Date and Time
aircraft was shot down                                      26 June 1944 - 1100                                     Case-No NE 1540

Place of Crash                                                   Hungary

Type of plane                                                    Liberator

Reporting post                                                   A W south south-east
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
                                                                                                                     Captured              Disposition -
Name and first name,                                        Rank             ASN                wounded              name of camp
date and place of birth                                                                                    dead                    type of injury
                                                                                                                                                 grave location
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

RILEY                 James B Jr.                           CPL             1404202            captured              Stalag-Luft 4
24 Feb 21            Barten, Fla.

HRNCHAR         Daniel                                   SGT             35065999          captured              Stalag-Luft 4
25 Dec 24            Detroit, Mich.

SARTORI            Baptista J.                             SGT            33669711           captured              Stalag-Luft 4
10 Jan 23             Charidge, Pa.

ROSSNEY           James E.                               SGT            42020574           captured              Stalag-Luft 4
11 July 24             Eboneser, N.Y.

HARRIS               William E. Jr.                         S/SGT         14119305           captured             Stalag-Luft 4
7 June 24              Louisville, Ky.

BORGERS            John J.                                  S/SGT         32808889           captured             Stalag-Luft 4
27 Apr 23              Paterson, N.Y.

Case-No NE 1540                                             first supplementary report, dated 22 September 1944
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SCHOEFFLER     A. Robert                              2nd Lt.        0-814985           captured              Stalag-Luft 3

KARABAIC         G. John                                  2nd Lt.        0-706885           captured              Stalag-Luft 3

FOLLETT             S. Warren                              2nd Lt.        0-820984           captured              Stalag-Luft 3
 

Case-No  NE 1540                                             second supplementary report, dated 2 November 1944
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SHULL                  Ernest R.                               2nd Lt.        0-708137           captured               Stalag-Luft 3
 

Stalag-Luft            18 August 1944             Ws.
 



Link To Crew Picture
 




If any information is being used out of context or if you would like to use some of this information, please contact the Webmaster

Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement

Copyright © 1999 - 2024, Mark Worthington & the 450th Bomb Group Memorial Association