Eyewitness Account

Bruce W Owen
Navigator Instructor in A/C 42-95224 on 22 August 1944


I the vicinity of Splasher 6 at the altitude of 14,500 feet while on routine practice mission I was working with the crew navigator when there was a thud, a shake and I was thrown against the GEE box by the rush of air caused by the lack of any nose turret combined with a violent jerk to the right.

Immediately I looked at the altimeter to see if we were maintaining altitude and reached for one of the chutes remaining and buckled it on.

The Navigator and I mutually agreed not to remain there with the great rush of air and since the plane was under control went thru the tunnel to the flight deck.

Two minutes later I went to the waist of the ship and remained there until summoned by Pilot to direct him to field from vicinity of Wroxham.

Landed ship and taxied to hard stand.

Ship number 42-95224. Crew number 94.

Noted that nose gunner had no chute in turret.