Eyewitness Account

Charles J North
Tail Gunner of Aircraft No. B-24H 42-95116


I was flying as tail gunner on A/C 115. This aircraft was lead of the Low Left element of the High Squadron.

The A/C flying our right wing had fallen back in a turn and moved over to our left wing and was several ship lengths behind.

I saw the P-47 leave the low Squadron and come over to make a pass at our formation. He came at my ship from between 7 and 8 o'clock and a little low. I lost track of the P-47 for a moment when it got behind the B-24 on our wing.

Next time I saw the P-47 he was rising between the nose of the ship behind us and our wing. It looked as though he was going to fly alongside of us. As he came up the tail of the P-47 struck the low left corner of the nose turret of the B-24 behind us.

The tail came off the P-47 and after a matter of what seemed like only seconds, I saw a chute come out.