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Boettcher Richard H.

Name:
Richard H. Boettcher
Rank:
Second Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-766186
Unit:
1st Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group
Date of Death:
0000-00-00
State:
Wisconsin
Cemetery:
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Comments:

On January 22, 1945, the crew of the “Where’s It At?” B-26 Marauder were conducting a Pathfinder marking mission in France. During the mission, the bomber’s left engine was damaged by FLAK while over the target. “Where’s It At?” approached the A-72 air base with the left engine running only part of the time. After several attempts of landing during the heavy snow storm covering the base that day, the bomber was diverted by A-72 Drunkard Control toward the Cambrai A-74 Air Base. As it flew over Tincourt-Boucly, both engines stopped. The bomber crashed into the Bois de Buire, 1,200 meters west of this memorial. Two men were killed during the crash when they were crushed by electronic equipment falling on them. The Pilot and Co-Pilot were both awarded the Soldiers Medal for their efforts in removing the two men's bodies from the burning bomber. 2LT Richard H. Boettcher served as the served as the bombardier for the "Where's It At?" He survived the crash on January 22, 1945.