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SGT  John W. SABOTKA

UNIT: 349th BOMB Sqdn POSITION: TG
SERIAL #: 33247709 STATUS: KIA
MACR: 04238 CR: 04238

Comments1: 28 APR 44 SOTTEVAST (EXP)

COMMENTS & NOTES

MEMO 1:

CREW

2nd Lt  James W. McGuire                P     KlA       28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)  
2nd Lt  Randell I. Bradley                CP     POW    28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)
2nd Lt  John M. Jones                   BOM   POW    28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL) (flew as Navigator on this mission)
2nd Lt  Eluid J. Knapp                   NAV    CPT     24 AUG 44  RUHLAND     S-2 AFTER COMPLETION OF TOUR
 T/Sgt  Frank V. DeGeorge             TTE   POW    28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)  sn 12148386
 T/Sgt  Rodney McCaughin             ROG   KIA      28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)
 S/Sgt  Joseph A. Eck                   TOG    KIA     28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)
 S/Sgt  John R. Ribuffo                  BTG    KIA     28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)
 S/Sgt  Alan R. Dill                         WG     KIA     28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)
 S/Sgt  Donald E. Kuntz                 WG     KIA     28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)
 S/Sgt  John W. Sabotka                TG     KIA     28 APR 44  SOTTEVAST (NOBALL)

349th Sqdn. Crew joined group in March 1944.   See SPLASHER  SI  (p. 4  Spring  1975)  Also see   John  Miller  letter  17/3/81.
McGuire and Eck both buried  at Omaha Beach. 12th mission for crew except Eck who was on his 2nd misslon with this crew.  MACR #4238, Microfiche #1503, A/C #42-107056 "The Denver Doll".
MEMO: LT JAMES W. McGUIRE BURIED: AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERY AT OMAHA BEACH GRAVE C-14-23

Jones was the bombardier of this crew but on 28/4/44 he Was flying as navigator. Navigator of this crew when it joined the 100th was Eluid J. Knapp who CPT in Aug. 1944. After completing his tour, Knapp was transferred to S2 (Intelligence). Phone call from Knapp OII 21/5/85...jb

Eyewitness:  "A/C #056 recieved a direct flak hit on the # 1 engine. Knocked engine back on wing catching the wing on fire. A/c peeled off into the second element disrupting it and gliding down into the clouds. Two (2) chutes seen. A/C hit at 1020 hours / 4932N and 0130W.
Lt. C.H. Cowan
Lt. R.W. Wright

From statements by John M. Jones and Randell L. Bradley after release from POW camp, it is apparent the A/C exploded before all crew members had sufficient time to bail out. Jones, the Bombardier, flew this mission as the Navigator and broke a leg upon landing.  On 02 May 1944, the seven KIAs in this  aircraft were buried in the "English Cementary in Cherbourg."  This aircraft and that of Col. Kelly and Capt William Lakin were shot down near Tamerville (three (3) miles north of Valognes)

List of Missions of T/Sgt Frank V. DeGeorge (mpf 2001)

1.     1/4/44  LUDWIGSHAVEN
2.     8/4/44  QUACKENBRUCH
3.   10/4/44  MALDEGEM
4.   11/4/44  ROSTOCK
5.   12/4/44  SCHKEUDITZ
6.   13/4/44  AUGSBURG
7.   19/4/44  LIPPSTADT
8.   20/4/44  MARQUENVILLE
9.   25/4/44  DIJON
10. 27/4/44  FLATTENANVILLE
11. 27/4/44  LeCULOT
12. 28/4/44  SOTTEVAST

MEMO 2:


			

             
            

         

         
KIA / MIA / EVA / INT INFORMATION: 
  
         

  

    TARGET:
			Sottevast
    DATE: 
			1944-04-28
     
  

  

    AIRCRAFT:
	(42-107056)
    CAUSE:
			Explosion
     
  



			


			

            
BURIAL INFORMATION

            

  

    PLOT:
			
    ROW:
			
     
  

  

    GRAVE:
			
    CEMETERY:
			
     
  



			
			
            

				
        
		
        ID:
			4555