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MACR # 14537
Reece Killpack Crew
29 May 1945
1 2 3 4

The Missing Air Crew Report for the loss of Capt Reece KIllpack and 7 members of his crew is 14537. The MACR consists of a cover sheet and 2 pages which is the actual MACR. The accompanying pages are an Air Sea Resuce report dated 23 June 1945 from 314th Bomb Wing Headquaters. This Air Sea Resuce Rreport states the various facts and Narrative Report covering cause of bailout, radio communications, preparing for Bailout, bailing out, survival, rescue, suggestions & criticisms by survivors and comment and Recommendations by Investigating Committee.

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The size of the report in PDF is 1.69 mb.

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Below is a transcription of the Air Sea Rescue Report which is part of MACR 14537

C O N F I D E N T I A L

HEADQUATERS
314TH BOMBARDMENT WING
APO 334, c/o Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

373.4 AMOPT    
23 June 1945
Air Sea Resuce Report No. 11 (Supplement to AAF Form 16, dtd 11 June 1945).
1. 1. Wing: 314th Group: 39th Squadron: 60th Plane No: 44-69867
     2. Mission No. 23. 29 May 1945.
     3. Cause of Bail Out: Aileron and rudder controls shot out by flak over target. Large holes in vertical and horizontal stabilizers. Entire flight control system inoperative except elevator trim tabs.
     4. Time: location: 0110 (GCT), 29 May 1945. Position: Approximately 130 miles northeast of Hachijo Shima. Coordinates: 34°16' N - 142°03' E.
     5. Rescue: At approximately 0545 (GCT), 29 May 1945 and 0830 (GCT), 30 May 1945 by the submarine USS Dragonet, and returned to North Field, Guam.
     6. Crew:
Position Rank Name ASN LAST SEEN
Ap Commander Capt Killpack R. 0428961 Missing
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Neden J 0825953 Missing
Navigator Capt Wilkie J C 0433161 Missing
Bombardier Capt Collins H 0369738 Missing
Flight Engineer S/Sgt Dunn F 14049893 Rescued
Radio Operator Sgt Reck E C 13155100 Missing
CFC Gunner Sgt Miller J 33832335 Rescued
Left Gunner S/Sgt Tilghman G 13185039 Rescued
Right Gunner Sgt Findley W 37727699 Missing
Radar Observer 2nd Lt Wible A L 02058602 Missing
Tail Gunner Sgt Williams M 42107977 Missing
- 7. Narrative Report:
           a. Cause of Bail out: Received direct flak burst over target after bombs away. The entire control system was shot away with the exception of the trim tabs on the elevator. The landing gears extended and flaps came down to approximately 20°-25°. Original course to return to base was maintained. Soon afterwards the aircraft went into a dive 19,000 feet and pulled out at 12,000 feet. The pilot was able to straighen out by means of the elevator trim tabs but in doing so an erratic course was flown. The Airplane Commander kept the aircraft on straight and level flight by streamlining the elevator trim tabs. All engines functioned properly. An effort to set up the C-1 auto-pilot was unsuccessful because it also was shot out. An attempt by the Flight Engineer

C O N F I D E N T I A L

-1-

Continued

Source: MACR 14537