|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 312th BG 387th BS Former Assignments 417th BG  Mack Austin c1944 |
Pilot Captain Jack W. Klein (rescued) Campbell County, KY Gunner Sgt Antoni Szymanski, 20156359 (MIA / KIA) Providence, RI Ditched August 11, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) on February 19, 1944 as A-20G-25-DO Havoc serial number 43-9106. Project Number 96344. Shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 417th Bombardment Group (417th BG) "Sky Lancers". On March 20, 1944, transferred to the 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG), 387th Bombardment Squadron (387th BS). Nicknamed "Short Stuff" with crew chief Haggart. On July 4, 1944 while parked at Nadzab Airfield damaged during an accidental flight line explosion but repaired afterwards. Mission History On August 11, 1944 at roughly 7:30am took off from Hollandia Airfield piloted by Captain Jack W. Klein on a mission as one of twenty-four A-20s from the 387th Bombardment Squadron and 388th Bombardment Squadron against Utarom. Over the target, the A-20s bombed, strafed barges and three dropped leaflet around Cape Bitsjaroe to the southwest of Utarom. The organization of the mission broke down and A-20s attacked targets individually. Klein led the squadron's second flight, an attack against barges off Utarom Airfield. Over the target, the left elevator of this A-20 was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Aboard, neither crew member was injured. Damaged, this A-20 managed to climb to 5,000' and fly for 30 minutes westward to Geelvink Bay. While flying back, escorted by A-20 piloted by Pool. Spotting a U.S. Navy PBY Catalina circling Roon Island, Klein successfully ditched into Geelvink Bay. Fates of the Crew After exiting the cockpit, he searched for his gunner and observed heavy damaged to the tail of his aircraft showing "maybe two or three hundred rounds had hit it." As the plane began to sink, he heard Szymanski moan loudly, but he was unable to help him, as the A-20 quickly sank. Likely, Szymanski went down with the aircraft and was listed Missing In Action (MIA). Unable to inflate his life raft, Klein treaded water for 30 minutes, until he was spotted by A-20 piloted by Pool that guided the PBY Catalina to the site and rescued him. They continued to search for Szymanski without result then departed for Noemfoor Island. Later Klein was flown by C-47 back to Hollandia. Later, Klein wrote in his escape and evasion report: "I then looked over to the left of the shore and saw a line of smoke and guns firing. This line was about 100 yards. From the setup, I now believe that this barge was a decoy." Memorials Szymanski was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Jack W. Klein NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Antoni Szymanski USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G 43-9106 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Antoni Szymanski FindAGrave - Sgt Antoni Szymanski (tablets of the missing photo) The Roaring 20's page 97 Rampage of the Roarin' 20's (2009) pages 158-159, 349, 358 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 A-20  Photo Archive  MIA 1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
