Thirty-two planes were dispatched at 1835 hrs on the evening of July 28 to attack the railroad bridge and embankment at Grosley-sur-Risle, France. The bombing was conducted by Pathfinder method, and thirty-one of the planes dropped one hundred-twelve 1000 pound and eight 500-pound General Purpose bombs and one leaflet bomb on the bridge, with fair to good results. The plane which failed to bomb was shot down by flak in the
Thury-Harcourt area before the target was reached. Twenty other planes were flak battle damaged, but there were no further casualties than the six missing combat crewmembers.
Missing Plane and Crew
Plane 42-95842, T6-D type B-26B-50-MA, Nicknamed "Hitch Hiker", 573rd Squadron.
Pilot
1st Lt. Robert H. Clark, 0-26154, from Philadelphia, Miss.
P.O.W.
Co-Pilot
1st Lt. George L. Parker, 0-669809, from Gainsville, Texas
Ret'd 19 Sept.
Bombardier
1st Lt. Robert F. Lemmon, 0-666687, from Goose Creek, Texas
K.I.A.
Engineer-Gunner
S/Sgt.John R. Culshaw, 33429297, from Duquesne, Pa.
K.I.A.
Radio-Gunner
T/Sgt.William S Rollings, 33499791, from Wisconisco, Pa.
K.I.A.
Armour-Gunner
S/Sgt.John W. Sweren 39197686 from Long View, Wash.
P.O.W.
All aircraft associated with an Accident or Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) for this mission are shown in red. Click on taxi code for details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THIS MISSION FROM THE GROUP MISSION RECORDS IS AVAILABLE IN THE "CREW LOADLING LIST" SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE here