James Robert DOUGLAS

Source : Tom Thomas

Spouse : Billie Royce Hanna

Parents : Robert Eugene & Beulah Madge Hicks DOUGLAS

B-17 Fortress - type F-125-BO - s/n 42-30837 *S

"Ole Bassar"

 Macr: 5022

Mission: Bordeaux (33)

Takeoff station 136 Knettishall, Suffolk UK

Shot by hunters

Engine n ° 1 HS - Airplane evacuated partially in parachute around 2500 feet - 15h30

Map of Normandy American Cemetery

by Michael Beach

by Laurent Rodange

On December 5, 1943, the B-17 Flying Fortress Number 42-30837 named "Ole Bassar" while returning from a mission to Bordeaux, was hit by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 above Cognac.

Its engine N°1 hs, the crew tries to reach England. Passing over Calvados, particularly above the WN 60 strongpoint at Colleville sur Mer, he was hit again.

The plane caught fire, part of the crew evacuated the aircraft.

But others are unable to extricate themselves and will perish in the carsh of the plane which will crash on Colleville behind the wn62.

A few hours later, 2 bodies touch the shore of Omaha Beach. The Germans will strip the jewels and other objects of the pilots.

2 other crew members survive. One of them the T/SGT Charles J Simco will be taken prisoner,

He was helped by a resident who provided him with civilian clothes.

But at the sight of a German patrol which was in pursuit, he raised his arms and surrendered without resistance. The inhabitant will be rifleman to him during the day.

As for the 2LT Willingham Clarence, it managed to flee to Switzerland. The order will be given to Lieutenant Hans Frerking stationed at wn 62 to keep the wreckage still on fire.

According to his statements, he could smell the burnt smell of human flesh despite the fire.

Lieutenant Hans Frerking will subsequently be killed on June 6, 1944 at Wn 62.

Several members of the crew are now in the Colleville American Cemetery