1st Lt Robert N. Smith was the pilot of the B-26 Marauder 42-96199 when it took off from station 162 Chipping Ongar, Essex UK on a mission to bomb Chartres’ airfield. Around 1755, just as the plane, part of the first bombing group, was starting its run, a flak barrage scored a direct hit on the No.2 engine. The latter plummeted free of the aircraft and landed near the town church. The plane itself went into a slow dive. Lt Smith dropped both 900 kg bombs in order to free the bay door for a potential bail out.The rest of the group thought it to be the attack signal and dropped theirs as well. The damage caused was enormous, killing about 50 civilians and setting the town library on fire. However, only half the crew had time to don their parachutes before the aircraft plummeted to the ground. Lt Smith was the last to jump. On his way down, the descending aircraft passed right underneath him, leaving him on a slow descent into the arms of the awaiting German soldiers. He was taken into Stalag Luft III in Sagan. Lt Smith was originally from Flint, Michigan.