February 16, 1946

To Whom it May Concern:

On February 23, 1944 the group was briefed for a target in Steyr, Austria.  The Plane that our crew was to use was not air worthy.  At about three minutes till take off time we were ordered to another Plane.  Since we didn't have time to check the plane Pilot Stanley asked the crew chief if it was ready for combat.

"Yes Sir!"  was the immediate response.  We took off - each man in his position.  After being air borne for a few minutes everyone started to check their guns and I my radio equipment.  Nose Turret out of order.  Sgt Hamric put it in shape.  Oxygen system out in Martin Turret.  Sgt Vorhies refused to tell the pilot and instead filled all walk around bottles and hung them with safety wire at points he could reach while sitting in the turret.  I never did know if the tail guns were in firing order.  When I went back to my gun position (left waist) I found to my distaste that it was out of order.  I called the pilot and told him that I couldn't repair it as I didn't have the spare part needed.  Sgt. Hamric thought that since his side of the plane was to the center of the formation and would be covered by the other ships in the formation he would use the part from his gun and fix mine which would be uncovered by any other planes.  I do not know yet why but neither of us could get the part to work after changing from left to right hand feed for the ammunition.  He then called the pilot that his gun was also out of order.  The attack came before his gun was put back into shape.

After a very few rounds from the nose turret it went out again.  I do not think the tail turret was in operation.  Only the top turret and ball turret were firing. 

After a particularly heavy attack from the nose the plane shuddered and seemed to stall.  The wings were burning fiercely.  It was then that Sgt Hamric bailed out through the camera hatch.  I followed immediately and saw that Sgt Lawson (tail gunner) was putting on his chute.  Sgt Moore followed me.  I do not now whether Lawson jumped or not.  Later Sgt Moore said that he had heard that Lawson was in another P.W. camp.  I don't know which one.

While drifting to the ground I saw a plane burning very badly drifting toward a forest.  The right wing crumpled and I saw no more of it.

Hamric, Moore, and I were captured.  I do not know the name of the small place.  We were taken by bus to Wells.  It wasn't a long ride - about two hours.  There may be something that could be discovered in the small towns surrounding that place.  I do know that records were made of names ranks and serial numbers.

Ralph L Pippins