A square, white, stone plaque inscribed with a commemoration message that is written in French in incised lettering. Following the commemoration message, are the names of the crew members of the Schnapps Yoyo, their roles, and their place of origin. A depiction of a B-25 is on the bottom.

On November 5, 1944, the flight crews reported to the 340th briefing tent and listened intently as Group Commander Willis F. Chapman announced the target for the day. Twelve B-25s of the 486th and six of the 489th were to bomb a rail bridge south of Padua, Italy. Luftwaffe fighters were scarce in the Po Valley, but flak might be encountered over the target. Not exactly milk run. When the briefing was over the crews were dropped off at each aircraft and crew members checked their respective equipment. Escape and evasion were distributed and a final personal relief call was made for those who felt the urge. Lt Brandle ran up the engines, tested the controls, and taxied to the end of the runway to await his turn for take-off. At a signal from the tower, each B-25 rolled down the gravel runway straining under the full load to become airborne.

Shortly after take-off each plane gained altitude and began to assemble in boxes of six planes each, Lt Brandle flying the number four position of the last box. Approximately 15 minutes after take-off from the airfield, the last box was at an altitude of 4500’, with an airspeed of 160 to 170 mph, and on a compass heading of thirty-four degrees. At 1020 hours the Island of Elba was to the rear of the right-wing of the formation. Dead ahead a large cloud bank was so dense it was difficult for the crews to see their own wingtips. Thirty to forty seconds later, the flight, now scattered, cleared the clouds. Schnapps Yo-Yo was missing and was never seen again. It was assumed by other crews that it had developed trouble and had returned to base. There were no indications that it was in trouble or had gone down. On the return from the mission, almost four hours later, the grim fact was evident that it had disappeared without a trace. Searches of the area of the disappearance were made but revealed no tell-tale signs of debris or oil slick usually noticeable in ditching and crashes on the water. As the days passed, the searches were called off, and hope for the survival of the crew faded. Lt Brandle may have lost power, lost control, or possibly both. There had been some turbulence in the clouds, but other aircraft did not report icing conditions. The MACR reports that it was last seen between the islands of Elba and Capraia.

Source of information: www.aerosteles.net, www.americanairmuseum.com 

Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net 

L'ARMEE DE L'AIR AMERICAINE

EN CORSE 1944 - 1945

èquipage de SCHNAPPS YOYO

486 ESCADRON

MORTS AU COMBAT

PILOTE LT. RICHARD H BRADIE de PHILADELPHIE

COPILOTE LT. WILLIAM G JOHNSON de DODDSVILLE MS

BOND NAV LT. MILTON FRANKEL de CHICAGO IL

RAD GUN SGT ROBERT SPOONAMORE

TUR GUN CPL ANDREW C THRASH de CHOCTAW AL

TAIL GUN SGTS ERNEST B LAY RICHMOND VA

English translation:

THE AMERICAN AIR FORCE

IN CORSICA 1944 - 1945

crew of SCHNAPPS YOYO

486 SQUADRON

KILLED IN ACTION

PILOT LT. RICHARD H BRADIE of PHILADELPHIA

COPILOT LT. WILLIAM G JOHNSON of DODDSVILLE MS

NAVIGATOR LT. MILTON FRANKEL of CHICAGO IL

RADIO OPERATOR/ GUNNER SGT ROBERT SPOONAMORE

TURRET GUNNER CPL ANDREW C THRASH of CHOCTAW AL

TAIL GUNNER SGTS ERNEST B LAY RICHMOND VA