Memorial

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2nd Lt Duane E. Nelson volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States as an Air Cadet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 14 January 1942. He attended college for 1 year and was a clerk before he joined the army.

This was his 4th mission and the 10th mission of the Bomb Group. The destination was the submarine building yards at Willemshafen, Germany but due to bad weather conditions the squadron lost contact with the plaines in front and it was decided to drop the bombs on Lemmer, near the Zuider Zee (IJsselmeer), The Netherlands.

The aircraft left formation after bombs were released and was last seen before to crash at 11:55 over Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. The aircraft was hit by a 20mm cannon shell and exploded (according to the MACR). In other accounts of the crash the plane was not shot down, but actually struck by a downed German aircraft.

From the 44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties document (page 42), updated in 2005: About 1205 hours this aircraft was attacked by three FW 190s, boring in from ahead and above. One or more 20-mm shells hit #776 in a vital spot and the bomber’s #3 engine broke into flames and the airplane dropped out of formation. Shortly thereafter, three men were seen to bail out, and then came an explosion, ripping it apart in mid-air. The rear fuselage and tail units fell into the Terschelling Harbor; the rest was scattered over the Noordsvaarder shallows and Terschelling beach. The lifeboat, “Brandaris” was able to save only one man, 2nd Lt Albert W. Glass. He was taken to Terschelling Harbor and a doctor was sent for immediately. Dr. Smit came a bit late due to a woman who was in childbirth, so it was necessary to amputate part of Lt Glass’ foot in order to save his life. Lt Glass was the only survivor from both of these 68th Squadron crews. Much later he was repatriated back to the States. The other members, except Thomas W. Crook who is Missing in Action, were killed by the crash. Lt Glass stated that when the plane exploded he was blown clear and somehow his chute opened. Later, Glass was sent to POW camp (around July 1943) where Captain James O’Brien saw him. But the battle was not yet over. As the bombers were heading a bit more to the west, filling in the openings in the formation, a FW 190 dove down almost vertically upon Captain O’Brien’s aircraft, inflicting considerable damage to it, and hitting crew members as well.