Walter E. Bies, of Detroit, Michigan, was born on December 31, 1920. He served in the 328th Bomber Squadron, 93rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-24 #42-100294 'Victory Belle' during World War II.

On June 24, 1944, the crew took off from Sation 104 airfield in Hardwick, England, on a bombing mission to Chateaudun and Toussus-le-Noble in France. At around 08:45h, their plane was shot by flak and crashed between Treon and Aunay-sous-Crecy. The airplane was partially evacuated by the members at 21,000 feet before the in-flight explosion. Five members were killed in this incident, two survivors were captured by the Germans, while four evaded the capture (including Sgt Bies). He was one of the 152 allied airmen and soldiers who were helped and hidden in the Freteval Forest camp by the French Resistance to evade German capture.

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net