LT Sanders and crew were photographed in Tucson during Phase III Overseas Training, February, '44. Standing (L to R): Al Sanders (P), Danny O'Connell (B), Tom Zoebelein (N), Fred Morley (CP). Front (L to R): James Sizemore (Arm./BG), A. B. Smith (NG), William Kozulak (Top), Lou Lujan (FE/WG), John Lawrence (R/O/WG), Robert Swaffield (TG). (reprinted from the O&W N/L Summer '90)
LT Sander's and crew were hit by FLAK in the target area and was last seen between the IP and target area. Other crews reported 5 to 6 chutes, but it was later reported all of the crew successfully bailed. The aircraft hit near Henri Pont, Belgium. The Germans initially captured 5 of the crew, and believed the remainder parished in the crash. LT Sanders evaded, but was turned into the Gestapo by a German sympathizer. He managed to escape once, but was later recaptured.
LT Sanders and other allied POWs were loaded onto boxcars to be evacuated into Germany as allied ground forces advanced through Belgium. The belgians both negotiated for the release of all prisoners, and sabotaged all attempts to move the prisoners to Germany. Eventually, the Gestapo commander had ordered the release of the prisoners. By the time the decision was made, the train's location was unknown, and abandoned by its crew. The civilians were freed by locals, but the allied prisoners were left locked in their car. Later that evening they managed to free themselves and "escaped." LT Sanders eventually made his way back to England where he learned his entire crew was repatriated, and transferred to the ZOI. (MACR: 5390/KU 2814)
[NEXT]
| CREW INFO | |||||
| Name | Rank | Position | First Mission | Last Mission | Status |
| Alfred M. L. Sanders | 2nd LT | Pilot | 05/09/44 | 05/28/44 | POW |
| Fred A. Morley | 2nd LT | Coilot | 05/28/44 | POW | |
| Thomas J. Zoeblein | 2nd LT | Navigator | 05/28/44 | RTD | |
| Daniel M. O'Connell | F/O | Bombardier | 05/28/44 | RTD | |
| Patrick Smith | Bombardier | Unknown | |||
| Louis Lujan | S/SGT | Flight Engineer/Waist | 05/28/44 | POW | |
| John R. Lawrence | SGT | Radio Operator | 05/28/44 | POW | |
| James R. Sizemore | S/SGT | Armorer/Ball | 05/28/44 | RTD | |
| Robert C. Swaffield | SGT | Tail | 05/28/44 | POW | |
| William Kozulak | SGT | Top | 05/28/44 | POW | |
| Autley B. Smith | SGT | Left Waist | 05/28/44 | POW | |
| John B. LeDeau | Crew Chief | Completed tour. | |||
| MISSION INFO | |||||
| MISSION | DATE | NAME | ID | S/N | TYPE |
| 003 | 05/09/44 | TL | 42-52740 | B24H | |
| 004 | 05/11/44 | Slammin' Spammy | TF | 42-52637 | B24H |
| 007 | 05/24/44 | TL | 42-52630 | B24H | |
| 008 | 05/25/44 | Virgo | DK | 42-52532 | B24H |
| 010 | 05/28/44 | PO | 42-52764 | B24H | |
| Created 09/10/99 | Modified 06/20/00 |
© Copyright by the 486th Bomb Group Association