Over the following weeks practice formation flying was conducted whenever the weather permitted, then on Friday 24th December 1943 Lt A M Guynn flew this and the Group's first mission to France. Despite damage all aircraft returned safely.

German flak battery report
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Their first loss came on 30th December when "Maid to Please" was shot down, but between 24th December 1943 and 27th April 1944 Lt A Guynn flew 23 missions. Regrettably on returning from the Group's 55th mission Lt A Guynn's B17G 42-107197 was hit by heavy flak resulting in the loss of this plane and crew over Ostend in Belgium. After the seven survivors had bailed out, the plane exploded and fell to earth. Sadly the Pilot, Flight Engineer and Tailgunner were killed, and the other crew members became Prisoners of War. Guynn's body could only be identified after the war by a process of elimination, and his remains were returned to Chico, California for burial. There was no trace of his dog tags or other identification.

At the 1995 UK Reunion of the 447th I met Richard R Bender, the co-pilot of Lt A M Guynn's crew on that fateful day. At all our UK Reunions we arrange an exhibition of photographs and 8th Air Force memorabilia from the Second World War. One photograph which Richard spotted and was keen to obtain showed B17G 42-107197 the last B17 he had flown in before being brought down by flak over Ostend. I duly sent him a copy photograph. There followed an exchange of letters and photographs etc and I put together all the information regarding that fateful day in April 1943 when B17G 42-107197 was lost over Belgium. I became fully conversant with the complete story of Lt Ashley M Guynn and his crew, and I thought that was the end of the matter. Little did I know of the dramatic chain of events that would bring the story round full circle in Millennium year.

It was Sunday 2nd January 2000 when I received a telephone call from Mr Martin Collins in London, England. Martin is an Englishman who lives in Israel, often making reports to America and overseas newspapers. His sister still lives in London and he was over here for the Millennium celebrations. Martin explained that he had found my name, address and telephone number on the internet. I am the UK contact for the 447th BG Association (UK) and along with other local bases and associations I have had a presence on the St Edmundsbury website since 1998. He was keen to meet me to discuss a certain Lt Ashley M Guynn. Also he wanted to visit Rattlesden airfield. He explained that whilst on holiday (vacation) in Ostend, Belgium in 1997 he had unearthed part of a bracelet on the beach using his metal detector. The blackened object displayed the pilot's wings of the USAAF. After cleaning it, Martin was able to see the name of Ashley M Guynn and on the reverse side was the number 0-746256 now known to be his service number. These identity bracelets were not official issue, but many aircrew had them made in sterling silver to supplement the dog tags worn round the neck. Martin appeared to be surprised that I was already familiar with this story which had been passed on to me by Richard R Bender.

It was arranged that we meet at the Brewers Arms public house in Rattlesden on 3rd January 2000 at 11.30 am. In the meantime I collected all the papers together containing information on the incident regarding the loss of B17G 42-107197 on 27th April 1944 and also arranged permission to visit the airfield. Part of the runway is still in use for flying by the Rattlesden Gliding Club.

I met Martin at the pre-arranged place and we proceeded to the airfield via High Town Green to visit the 447th Bomb Group memorial. We spent time on the airfield and in the control tower studying old papers and memorabilia. Whilst in the control tower and much to my surprise, Martin insisted that I should accept his Ashley Guynn documents and bracelet on behalf of the 447th BG Association (UK). He was very sure that the bracelet should be kept by the UK Association. It was accompanied by the full story of that tragic day of 27th April 1944 as written up by Dan Johnson in America. He also gave me details of his search to discover more about his find, all sparked off by that remarkable bracelet in the sand on Ostend beach, discovered 53 years after its owner was killed in action. Martin told me that he has no objection to this story going on the internet or to the story being printed in the local newspaper.

I acknowledge the great efforts made by the following people who have made the telling of this story possible.

Grateful thanks to:-
Martin Collins (Israel)
Richard R Bender (USA)
Dan Johnson (USA)

E A Osborne 11th July, 2000