Crew #8

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Crew of 8th Aircraft Plane # 40-2242 - Crew from 95th Squadron, 17th Group - (Landed and Interned in Russia)

Captain York's B25 had suffered engine problems prior to the loading of the aircraft on the Hornet, and the flight to Japan compounded this. Despite heavy fuel consumption by both engines, York continued on course to drop his bombs on their assigned targets. Throughout the run the aircraft was defenseless with a top turret that failed to work. Without enough fuel to reach China, Cpt. York elected to fly the shorter distance to Russia where he landed at a field near Vladivostok in hopes of refueling to reach China. Instead, the still neutral Soviets confiscated the bomber and interred the crew for thirteen months. The crew returned home in May 1943 after escaping into Persia.

Pilot Capt. E.J. York
Co-Pilot Lt. R.G. Emmens
Navigator Lt. N.A. Herndon
Bombardier SSgt. T.H. Laban
Engineer Gunner Sgt. D.W. Pohl