T/Sgt Joseph E. Harder replaced Saul Levitt as ROG after Levitt was seriously injured in a traffic accicent at Thorpe Abbotts. Levett was assigned to the staff of Yank Magazine – he was to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism after the war. As for Hafer he was taken prisoner. Lt David Solomon, the regular NAV on Crew #29 replaced Harry Crosby and was also taken prisoner.

CREW #32 LED THE 10 OCT 43 MISSION AND MAJ JOHN C. EGAN, THE 418TH CO, FLEW IN THE CO-PILOT'S SEAT.  NEAR THE I.P. "MLLE ZIG ZIG" (A/C #42-30830; THEY WERE NOT FLYING "SKIPPER" THIS MISSION) WAS HIT BY FLAK KILLING SGT CLANTON AND BADLY WOUNDING HOWARD HAMILTON AND ROLAND GANGWER. THE SURVIVING CREW MEMBERS SUCCEEDED IN BAILING OUT AND WERE TAKEN PRISONER.  HAMILTON AND GANGWER SPENT A LONG TIME IN THE HOSPITAL.

Copy of material given to POW's in Germany in 1945; from John Brady to pw   September 1993:

The great Bolshevik offensive has now crossed the frontiers of Germany.  The men in the Moscow Kremlin believe the way is open for the conquest of the Western World.  This will certainly be the decisive battle for us, but it will also be the decisive battle for England, for the United States, and for the maintenance of Western civilization. Or whatever today, remains of it.

The events in the Baltic States, in Poland, Hungary and Greece are proof enough for all to see the real program behind the mask of Moscow's so-called " limited national aims" and reveals to us how Moscow interprets democratic principals both for the countries she has conquered and also for Germany and your countries as well.

It is also clear enough today that the issue at stake is not merely the destruction of Germany and the extermination of the German race. The fate of your country too is at stake. This means the fate of your wives, of your children, your home, it also means everything that makes life liveable, lovable and honorable for you.

Each of you who has watched the development of Bolshevism throughout this war knows in his innermost heart the truth about Bolshevism.  Therefore we are now addressing you as white men to other white men. This is not an appeal.  At least we feel there is no alternative for any of us, who feels himself a citizen of our continent and our civilization, but to stop the red flood here and now. Extraordinary events demand extraordinary measures and decisions.  One of these decisions is now put to you.  We address ourselves to you regardless of your rank or of your nationality.

Soldiers ! We are sure there are some amongst you who have recognized the danger of Bolshevik-Communism for his country.  We are sure that many of you have seen clearly what this war is now leading to. We are sure that many of you see what the consequences of the destruction of Europe - not just Germany, but of Europe - will mean to your own country.  Therefore we want to make the following proposal  to you.

We think that our fight has also became your fight.  If there are some amongst you who are willing to take consequences and who are willing to join the ranks of the German soldiers who fight in this battle which will decide both the fate of Germany and the fate of your countries we should like to know it.  We invite you to join our ranks and the tens of thousands of volunteers from the communist crushed and conquered nations of eastern Europe, which have had to choose between submission under a most brutal Asiatic rule - or a national existence in the future under European ideas, many of which, of course are your own ideas.

Whether you are willing to fight in the front-line or in the service corps: we make you this solemn promise: Whoever as a soldier of his own nation is willing to join the common front for the common cause, will be freed immediately after victory of the present offensive and return to his own country via Switzerland.

All that we have to ask from you is the word of the gentlemen not to fight directly or indirectly for the cause of Bolshivik Communism so long as this war continues.

At this moment we do not ask you to think about Germany.  We ask you to think about your own country, we ask you just to measure the choices which you and your people at home would have to, in case the Bolshivik - Communism onslaught should overpower Europe.  We must and we will put and end to Bolshevism and we will achieve this under all circumstances.  Please inform the convoy officer of your decision and you will receive the privileges of our own men for we expect you to share their duty.  This is something which surpasses all national boundaries.  The world today is confronted by the fight of the east against the west.  We ask you to think it over.

ARE YOU FOR THE CULTURE OF WEST OR BARBARAIC ASIATIC EAST

MAKE YOUR DECISION NOW