Fuel tanks of the B-24H Liberator “Little Warrior” with the 861st Bomb Squadron explode over Fallersleben, Germany after anti-aircraft hit, Jun 29 1944. Photo taken by Clifford A Stocking, waist gunner on “Green Hornet.”
The official photograph released by the U.S.A.A.F. was altered at some point, the actual photograph show the “Little Warrior” in an upward direction (nose-high) and already slightly banking to the right.
- Pilot: 2nd Lieutenant John L. Hansen – Killed in Action
- Copilot”2nd Lieutenant Sidney A. Benson – Killed in Action
- Navigator: 2nd Lieutenant Jerome Levy – Killed in Action
- Bombardier: 2nd Lieutenant Malcolm M. Stich – Killed in Action
- Radio Operator: Staff Sergeant Billy B. Gomillion – Killed in Action
- Engineer/Top Turret Gunner: Technical Sergeant Vernon J. Polzin – Killed in Action
- Ball Turret Gunner: Staff SergeantCyrus R. Aidala – Killed in Action
- Nose Turrent Gunner: Staff Sergeant Sylvanus G. Haskell – Killed in Action
- Tail Turrent Gunner: Staff Sergeant Walter A. Boykowski – Killed in Action
- Waist Gunner: Staff Sergeant John E. Sanders – Killed in Action
Eight of the crew were found dead on the ground by German authorities that morning, a ninth body was found later**. The tenth crew member's body was discovered in a field, badly burned on 11 July 1944, and buried with the rest of the crew of 'LITTLE WARRIOR'."
**Co-pilot Benson was ejected by explosion with his chute. Having landed unharmed, he surrendered to a Flak gun crew and was placed in the charge of Hitler youth leader Helmut Lippman who, riding a bike, shepherded him to be handed over to local authorities. En-route, Lippman shot Benson in the back 3 times with a small calibre handgun. Upon arrival in the local town Lippman left 2Lt Benson with Air raid wardens whilst he went off to phone the local police, whereupon 2Lt Benson was beaten to death by the wardens. Post war, Lippman and the wardens were brought to trial for the murder of a POW. Lippman was sentenced to death by hanging, commuted to life imprisonment.