|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 11th AF 28th BG 77th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert B. Wolbrink, O-777072 (interned, survived) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Jerry M. Kroot (interned, survived) Navigator-Bombardier 2nd Lt Byron F. Field, Jr. (interned, survived) Engineer Cpl Matthew M. Glodek, 42020135 (KIA, BR) NY Radio-Gunner Cpl Roy A. De Haven, 33764970 (interned, survived) Gunner Cpl Roy C. Caris, 33522828 (interned, survived) Crash Landed June 9, 1945 at 3:40pm MACR 14611 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) at Air Force Plant NC at Fairfax Field near Kansas City, KS. Constructors Number 108-35450. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25J-10-NC Mitchell serial number 43-36160. Ferried to Alaska. Wartime History Assigned to the 11th Air Force, 28th Bombardment Group (Composite Group), 77th Bombardment Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-2600-13, R-2600-29 serial numbers 43-23081 and 43-27557. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 14611 (MACR 14611). Mission History On June 9, 1945 at 9:25am took off from Attu Airfield on Attu Island on mission 5M3096 on a diversionary strike mission over Araido Island (Atlasov) to the north of Paramushir Island. The weather was broken stratus from sea level to 1,200' with breaks running north and south and were narrow east and west. The top of the stratus lowered westward becoming ragged and disappearing along the east coast of Kamchatka, Shimushu and over the east coast of Paramushir. To the west over Araido CAVU weather existed. Five minutes after leaving the target area, B-25 piloted by Captain Irving called to this aircraft and reported his right engine had smoke coming from it. Wolbrink closed formation and reported the engine was alright. At the same time, six Japanese fighters attacked the formation, forcing them to fly over Cape Lopatka, and began receiving ground fire from Russian batteries, including both anti-aircraft fire and small arms tracers. The formation began taking evasive action to avoid the fire. This B-25 was last reported approximately ten minutes south of Petropavlovsk on southeastern Kamchatka. This B-25 was hit by Soviet anti-aircraft fire including a burst to the right of the B-25, causing a long stream of fire from the top turret and damage to the right engine, requiring it to be feathered. Damaged, this aircraft veered off to the left, then level off before starting a sharp diving left turn before disappearing into the fog below then a smoke column was observed. Aboard, the anti-aircraft fire killed engineer Glodek. The last radio message received from this aircraft was "Tuk in ten minutes - - - salvo - -- (message faded out). After the crash, the surviving crew were interned by the Soviet Union. This was the first time Soviet anti-aircraft fire hits an American aircraft. Fates of the Crew The entire crew was captured and interned in the Soviet Union until the end of World War II and then were returned to the United States. Memorials Glodek was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the war, his remains were returned to the United States and he was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY. Caris died in 1979. He is buried at Princess Anne Memorial Park in Virginia Beach, VA. Wolbrink died on Aug. 15, 1996. He is buried at Taylor Cemetery in Ganges, MI. Field died in 2005. He is buried at Frontier Cemetery in Frontier, MI. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25J-10-NC Mitchell 43-36160 "36160 (28th BG) made forced landing at Elizovo airfield, Kamchatka Oblast Jun 9, 1945 after being attacked by Japanese fighters. One crewman was killed. MACR 14611" Missing Air Crew Report 14611 (MACR 14611) List of Americans, British, and French military personnel detained by organs of the Ministry of State Security [Wabring, Kroot, ?, ?, Gladesk] FindAGrave - Robert B Wolbrink (grave photo, obituary) FindAGrave - Byron Fiske Field, Jr (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Roy Clifton Caris (grave photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-25 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
