41-31659 - Luftkriegsarchiv Köln

Whilst approaching the bombing target in the Münstereifel/Nideggen area, the B-26 takes several hits to its open bomb bay. An explosion tears the aircraft in two; it plunges uncontrollably to the ground and burns completely to the ground.

Three crew members are thrown from the aircraft and, some of them seriously wounded, manage to save themselves by parachute.

S/Sgt Dragan and Sgt Payne were admitted to a German military hospital in Siegburg, from which Payne was discharged early and returned to the USA.

S/Sgt Dragan was taken prisoner by the Germans and, following his release at the end of the war, suffered from severe visual and mobility impairments that continued to affect his life for many years.

Three other crew members were burned to death in the wreckage of the aircraft and were not recovered until days later by advancing American units.