Fateful Malfunction

On June 2nd, 1944, the 483rd Bomb Group was on its way to bomb targets in Romania. But before crossing the border between Yugoslavia and Romania, Flying Fortress No. 42-31847 developed mechanical problems and had to leave formation. Later, the crew was forced to bail out, and the plane crashed near the village of Tarevci, close to Modriča, Bosnia. 

Seven crew members were captured, while the pilot Raymond Hansen and copilot Charles Townsend managed to contact Chetniks and evade capture. They started their route to Pranjani, from where they were evacuated two months later, on August 10.

Pilot Raymond Hansen carried a camera. Being tall and blond, he can easily be recognized in his unique photos