Date: 1943 Dec 22/22			A/C Type: B-24 D  Liberator		SN: 42-41015		Code:		A/C Nickname:
File: 787		Airforce: USAAF		Sqn/Unit: 93 BG - 328 BS			Mission/Raid: Osnabrück
1	Pilot	Captain Herrell E. Ford                      8 crew MIA					9	RWG	2Lt. Eugene H. Cantrell
2	Co-pilot	Colonel John H. Hayden           CO 93BG/328BS					10	TG	S/Sgt James W. Craig     w.a. Vlieland Isle
3	Nav.	1Lt. Max M. Myres					11
4	B	Captain Lawrence C. Norman					12
5	E	T/Sgt Ward H. Randles					13
6	RO	T/Sgt James K. Kobler					14
7	BTG	not carried					15
8	LWG	S/Sgt Otto Eckert					16
Return from Osnabrück was on high altitude, above a thick deck of clouds. Formation ran into intense Flak and fighter attacks on position 52°38'N-06°20'E. This is in the Netherlands, east of Staphorst. The bomber formation was scattered. Damaged aircraft lost speed and sank beneath the clouds, often again attacked by fighters. 22 bombers were lost from Osnabrück to the British coast.

We believe aircraft was lost in the North Sea WNW of Texel Island. All crew MIA, except tail gunner S/Sgt. James W. Craig. Five months later he washed ashore on the SW tip of Frisian Island Vlieland and was buried there. Today he rests in US Cemetery 'Netherlands', Margraten. Highly experienced and decorated crew, Ploesti Veterans. Colonel John H. Hayden was the 93BG/328 Sqn Commanding Officer from 31 October 1943 until 22 December 1943.
















































































Sources/Read more: 

- All MACR on raid 22 December 1943.
- Our cemetery file on Vlieland Island:  http://www.zzairwar.nl/dossiers/999.html

- Craig: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56297869 
- http://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/american-war-cemetery-margraten-c/52550-craig-james-w 
- http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/123098 
- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56289749 







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