P47 D 28RE 42-20211 22nd Fighter Squadron 36th Fighter Group IX AF
Date : 27 December 1944
Crash: Approximately 5 miles NW of Bastogne
2nd Lt Vollenweider Thomas Charles O-820371 KIA Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery
On 27 December 1944 I was flying directly behind Lt. Vollenweider as our flight made a dive to strafe motor vehicles in the area five miles north west of Bastogne, Belgium. I noticed that Lt. Vollenweider began a very steep dive. On pulling out of my own run, I noticed a terrific explosion and fire in the target area, which was undoubtedly made by a crashing aircraft. I have no doubt but this was caused by Lt Vollenweider’s exploding plane, although I did not actually see the plane hit the ground. The flak was not intense in this area. I think that there is a possibility that Lt. Vollenweider miscalculated in his dive. Joseph E. Ferrar, 1st Lt.