Displays
391st Bomb Group B-26 43-34337 named Homesick Pappy
This B-26 was shot down on 24 February 1945 with the loss of the entire crew. They were Gwen T McPherson (pilot), Dan W Chaney (copilot,) Earl R LaPan (bombardier / navigator,) Wilbur N Beasley (gunner,) Edward Klacik Flight (engineer / gunner,) and John H Boettcher (gunner.) This mission was number 237 for the bomb group and the primary target was a railroad bridge in Irlich, Germany.
S/Sgt Hayden Harvey flying as tail gunner in the lead aircraft gave this eyewitness account of what happened. “I saw Capt. McPherson’s aircraft, No 43-34337, receive a direct hit (flak) in the left wing. The wing was blown off and the aircraft went into a tight spin. I last saw the aircraft about 5 – 6000 feet from the ground still spinning toward the ground. I saw no parachutes”.
The plane was shot down by a German flak unit located at Kirspenich, Germany. The plane crashed between Kirspenich and Kirchheim. The vertical (photo above) was pulled from the crash site by a local who took it to his farm located 1.5 km away where it was mounted on the roof of a barn. (photo left) It remained on the roof until 2000-2001 when it was removed and the barn was torn down.
Click on any image to view it.
Earl LaPan the Bombardier / Navigator
Edward Klacik Flight Engineer / Gunner
Two of Dan Chaney's Flight Training Class of 44-F annuals. Sent to us by his sister Mary Ann
Edward Klacik's wings, flying scarf, hats and a theater made belt buckle brought by his nephew Mike
Remains of the flak installation at Kirspenich, Germany as it looks today
