556TH
BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, MEDIUM
Gravel Gertie
Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder
Sn: 41-31793
Squadron Code: FW-B
556TH
BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, MEDIUM
Gravel Gertie
Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder
Sn: 41-31793
Squadron Code: FW-B
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Crew Chief: T/Sgt. Stephen Haberski
Asst. Crew Chief: Cpl. Ralph B. Robinson *
Gravel Gertie was originally assigned to the 386th Bombardment Group and was transferred to the 387th when the 386th converted to the newer and faster Douglas A-26 Invader.
On April 18, 1945 the group
made two attacks on the Donau oil storage depot. Gravel Gertie,
piloted by 2nd Lt. Edward L. Walker, was assigned to the first of these,
a morning mission. During the bomb run the formation was attacked by the
revolutionary new German jet fighter, the ME-262. Gravel Gertie
was shot down, and no parachutes were reported seen before it crashed.
The crew was:
| KIA
KIA KIA KIA KIA KIA |
Pilot
CP B/N EG ROG AG |
2nd Lt.
2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. Sgt. Sgt. T/Sgt. |
Edward L.Walker
L. Opalka G. L. Swift John J. Scalzo Gerald G. Kalas Frank M. Papile |
Lt. Walker and his crew were the last KIA listed for the 387th Bombardment
Group, which completed its last hostile mission the following day
(all subsequently scheduled missions were either cancelled or recalled).
The ME-262 also damaged Nobby, a 559th squadron Marauder (A/C No.
42-107590/TQ-S), which crash-landed on its return to base.