Memorial

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A/C 513 was flying the deputy lead of the high squadron when the group attacked the assigned primary target at Schleisheim, an enemy airfield near Munich. At 1650 1/2 hours, at 22,500 feet, 10 seconds after bombs away, A/C 513 received a direct flak hit on the leading edge of the left wing between No. 1 and No. 2 engines. As the stricken A/C pulled out of the formation to the right, the outer half of the left wing broke off and the A/C was enveloped in flames. About 200 yds. to the right of and 500 ft. below the formation, A/C 513 was seen to explode and turn over on its back. The A/C was then a blasing mass and dove almost straight down in a slow spin, disintegrating on her way down. A/C 513 was last seen to crash into the ground near the target.

Immediately after A/C 513 was hit and turning off the target, two of the crew were seen to jump out the waist escape hatch, but no chutes were seen to open. Lt Gorman, in A/C 448 reported seeing one chute which was on fire.