Deckelmayer's Crew

LT Deckelmayer and crew, flying "The Baby Shoe III" (#292), were hit by flak on September 9, 1944. LT Stroebe testified that he saw the aircraft leave formation with the #3 propeller feathered, and another engine running roughly. The aircraft was under control, and LT Stroebe conjectured the crew landed safely in France.

According to Jaap Geensen, a local historian, a heavy bomber was seen circling as if looking for a place to land, around noon local time near Kloosterzande, the Netherlands. When it pulled up, trailing heavy smoke, seven chutes were seen. Number 8 Lawrence B. Deckelmayer's chute did not function and he was killed.

On September 9th, Antwerp at less than 10 miles away had been liberated on sept 3 1944. German forces were very much present in the "landing zone". The airmen from the "chutes" were quickly rounded up by local civilians and hidden for the Germans. The body of Deckelmayer was buried on the 12th in the presence of the protestant minister, the mayor, the secretary of the village and the local doctor, Hermans, also head of the local underground. It was a short but impressive funeral. This all happened under the eyes of the Germans, all illegal of course. To be in the possession of gear from alied airmen could be a reason for deportation.

8 Days later, on Sept 20th, the village was liberated by the 1st Polish Armoured Division.

Youngs and Anderson didn't fly on this mission.