Captain Frank A. Buchanan, 319th Bomb Group, 440th BS.

"Matt, your grandfather Captain Frank A. Buchanan was Co-Pilot on B-26 41-34872 of 319th BG 440th BS. On a mission to Gerbini Airdrome on Sicily July 4th 1943 the Marauder was shot down over target by enemy fighters, MACR #77. He is listed on the POW list I have, but no info about Camp# in Germany. NARA records confirms POW status in Germany, but no info about name of camp. Eyewitness in the formation saw that the Marauder had left engine in flames, and four parachutes opened. Due to enemy fighter attacking the eyewitness was not able to see anything further. All crew members bailed out over the target, and were taken POW. The aircraft hit the ground 200 yards off the airport bombed. This a/c was lead bomber over target.

Pilot: Captain Griffith P. Williams
Co-Pilot: Captain Frank A. Buchanan
Navigator-Bombardier: 1st Lt. Richard J. Schott
Engineer-Gunner: S/Sgt. Albert W. Sorce
Radio-Gunner: S/Sgt. William S. Tully
Gunner & Observer: Captain Thomas C. Griffin
Flight Commander: Lt. Colonel Wilbur W. Aring

Best regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen"