349th Sqd. Crew, as above, joined the 100th Group on 25/5/44. Crew was on 22nd Mission.
A/C 42-107211 XR-N
MACR #7816~Micofiche # 2863

Note: Robert E. Fife was promoted to T/Sgt during his tour.

On 29/7/44, F/O Kinkade is listed as navigator and S/Sgt Marcena F. Dottoviano listed as bombardier. and was a KIA. He was not a regular crew member. Records indicate S/Sgt Dottoviano was an original ground crew member having gone overseas with the Original 100th group.

Excerpts From "The News-Star, Sunday May 27, 2001 on Lt Carl Gustafson Jr. from research by Nita Nell Watson, cousin of Lt Gustafson) by Nancy Bergeron

"Gustafson would get his military wings and be commissioned as a B-17 "Flying Fortress" bomber pilot with the 349th BS, 100th Bomb Group. On May 23, 1944, he shipped overseas. Seven days later, he and fellow B-17 pilot Charles Harding would fly their first mission over Germany. He was terrific, a real leader, said Harding. "He was a typical good old Louisiana boy".

"Seven weeks after flying a successful D-Day Mission, Gustafson and his 8 man crew took enemy fire over the oil refinery town of MERSEBURG, it was July 29, 1944. The squadron was broken up by flak, Watson said recounting what Gustafson's parents never knew. The formation fell apart and the bombers were stragglers (fighters came in and finished off the whole low squadron). The Crew bailed out. "

"As the plane was coming in there was a woman who was shot in the village and the mayor thought somebody from the plane shot her" Watson said. "They treated Carl Jr and the crew unmercifully". Two of the captured flyers were shot in the head trying to escape, one survived and was taken prisoner (Robert Fife?) elsewhere. Another apparently died as well. The remaining five, including Gustafson, were tortured, then shot. The Mayor himself evidently killed Gustafson, the only officer among the Americans. "

"Partial transcripts from the mayors (called a district leader) subsequent war crimes trial indicates Lt Gustafson was probably clubbed in the head before being shot with a pistol. The bodies were buried only to be exhumed and cremated three days later on the Mayor's orders. " (Trying to hide his crimes... mpf...2001)