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| USAAF 20th AF 499th BG 877th BS   c1945   Nippon News February 19, 1945 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Martin H.
Nicholson, O-724699 (MIA / KIA) Kingsville, TX Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Ernest J. B. Nelson, O-683393 (MIA / KIA) Paine, WA Navigator 2nd Lt. William S. Nelson, Jr., O-696133 (MIA / KIA) Marshall, MI Bombardier 2nd Lt. Glenn O. Rohden, O-696147 (MIA / KIA) Ottria, IA Engineer 2nd Lt. Martin L. Forbes (MIA / KIA) San Bernadino, CA Radio Sgt Robert Otto Grote, 16138597 (MIA / KIA) Chicago, IL Radar Sgt Selig H. Bauch, 12144234 (MIA / KIA) Brooklyn, NY Left Gunner SSgt Robert F. Lee, 15328220 (MIA / KIA) Monroeville, IL Right Gunner Sgt Clarence E. Den Boer, 16086134 (MIA / KIA) Grand Rapids, MI Top Gunner Sgt Luther D. Otto, 36888790 (MIA / KIA) East Detroit, MI Tail Gunner Sgt Martin F. Siltanen, 20638564 (MIA / KIA) Highland, MI Crashed February 19, 1945 MACR 12522 Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Maritn-Omaha. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-29-15-MO Superfortress serial number 42-65222. Wartime History Assigned to the 20th Air Force (20th AF), 499th Bombardment Group (499th BG), 877th Bombardment Squadron (877th BS). Tail code V□-49 (V Square-49). Nicknamed "Super Wabbit" with the nose art of r Warner Bros. cartoon character Bugs Bunny wearing a super hereo suit with "S" in a triangle on the chest with a cape standing atop an aerial bomb. Mission History On February 19, 1945 took off Aslito Field (Isley Field) on Saipan piloted by 1st Lt. Martin H. Nicholson on a bombing mission (Mission 37) against Tokyo. This B-29 was part of the 2nd element, 2nd position. Over the target, clouds covered Musashino aircraft plant, the primary target in Musashino west of Tokyo. Instead, the B-29s bombed the port and urban area of Tokyo. Over Tokyo Bay, the formation was intercepted by four Ki-45 Nicks from 53rd Sentai led by Lt. Aoki. During the interception, this B-29 was deliberately rammed head on by Ki-45 pilot Yamada while making a steep turn. Crews in other bombers observed the left wingtip to fold over and break off and the damaged bomber spun twice then broke apart and crashed. None of the crew were observed to bail out. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage This B-29 crashed near Lake Kawaguchi. After the crash, Japanese news recorded cine footage at the crash site showing the tail with "222" and Japanese personnel inspecting the wreckage. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the Japanese recovered the remains of the crew and buried them in a local cemetery. Postwar, the remains of the crew were exhumed and transported to the United States for permenant burial. Memorials The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission. All are buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82 site 235. Grote also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at Section MH Site 653 Lee also has a memorial marker at Monroeville Memorial Cemetery in Monroeville, IN at section 70. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Martin H. Nicholson NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ernest J. B. Nelson NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert O. Grote NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Clarence E. Den Boer NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Martin F. Siltanen USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-29-15-MO Superfortress 42-65222 "65222 (499th BG, 877th BS) rammed by Ki-45 over Lake Kawaguchi Yamanishi, Japan Feb 19, 1945 and crashed while on mission to Tokyo. MACR 12522. All 11 crew KIA" Missing Air Crew Report 12522 (MACR 12522) created February 20, 1945 FindAGrave - Martin Holt Nicholson (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Ernest James Benjamin Nelson (photos, news, group burial photo) FindAGrave - 2LT William Smiley Nelson Jr. (photos, news, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Glenn O. Rohden (photos, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Martin L. Forbes (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Robert Otto Grote (photos, group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Robert Otto Grote (memorial marker photos) FindAGrave - Sgt Robert Otto Grote (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Selig H. Bauch (photos, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Robert W. Lee (photos, group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Robert W. Lee (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Clarence E. Den Boer (photos, group burial photo) FindAGrave - SGT Luther Daniel Otto (photos, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Martin F. Siltanen (group burial photo) YouTube "U.S. B-29 & F6F & F4U Shot Down - Imperial Japanese Air Defence Battle footage 1944~45" crasah site of B-29 "Super Wabbit" 42-65222 with "222" visible on the tail wreckage (6:54–7:06) B-29 Hunters of the JAAF (2000) pages 88-90 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 19, 2021
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