SSgt Donald Edgar Buckland, radio operator of the B-17 41-9018, took off from Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, UK at 0900 on a bombing mission over Hellemmes’ railroad installations. They were hit by German AA fire, causing them to drop out of formation and be hounded by nine German Fw-190s. The latter shot off the tail section, sending the plane down. The pilot held on as long as he could to avoid hitting the residential areas, but finally had to bail out. His parachute malfunctioned and he plummeted to his death. Several other airmen, including SSgt Buckland, died with the plane.