NAVIGATOR D.VANDER SCHAAF

The Carpetbagger - 801st/492nd Bomb Gr.

NAVIGATOR D.VANDER SCHAAF

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NAVIGATOR D.VANDER SCHAAF

The Navigator onboard was Clair D. Vander Schaaf and his age where 34 y.o - after the B-24 bursted into flames his story is a little weak.

We know Holmes talked to him before geting out of the plane. He where working on taking his chute on - but after the crash he was found dead about 1mile from the Crashzone.

A farmer found his body - and he toke his watch because as the Farmer said -" That one the evil Germans will not have" and he was thinking to send it back to Vander Schaaf`s family after the War. The clock was still going.

After the War he sended the wacth back - but the it came back whit the words - " Keep it for your help, friend" from Vander Schaaf`s family.

Clair D. Vander Shaaf`s Watch

The Germans arrived early in the morning and sended him to the Hospital near by.A Doctor declared Vander Schaaf`s dead after a hit by a 20 millimeter gunshell - and it stands in his files.

So after Holmes talked to him onboard the B-24 he must have been hit by the German - who still was firing. Maybe after he has left the plane.

He first was burid in Lemvig ( Denmark) and later in 1947 in Belgium.

Schaaf Clair Vander

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

O-689700

406th Bomber Squadron, 801st Bomber Group, Heavy

Entered the Service from: Michigan
Died: May 7, 1944
Buried at: Plot A Row 41 Grave 1
Ardennes American Cemetery
Neupre, Belgium

Awards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart