Irving Levine

[dps]

He was my grandfather and was KIA when his bomber was shot down over Italy. I believe only the pilot survived.

I know it's a stab in the dark but if anyone has some information on him it would be greatly appreciated. God Bless and thank you all for your service and sacrifice.

[Bob Dixon Jr]

According to Missing Air Crew Report #12094 your grandfather, Irving Levine, was the Flight Officer/Navigator on the B-24 serial #41-49738, plane number 51, which was part of the 826th Squadron. The pilot was Orgene Colvin. This plane was shot down February 20, 1945 on a mission to Bolzano, Italy. According to eyewitnesses, the plane took a direct hit from flak just to the rear of the bomb bay and almost immediately broke in half. The pilot was the only survivor and was captured. His statement says he believes all four men in the rear section of the plane were unable to get out, the co-pilot's parachute burned and the nose gunner's chute failed to open. He says the bombardier, engineer, he and your grandfather were able to jump clear of the plane at altitude. He also believes the other three probably came down in an uninhabited valley in the Alps and were not found. A German report says one man in a parachute was "hung on the rocks in an inaccessible spot".
I don't know how many of these details you may have already had but hope this gives you a better idea of what happened that day. There are many more details in the MACR as to crew member names, etc.
Bob Dixon Jr.

[dps]

Thank you so much Bob. Where we you able to view that report?

[Bob Dixon Jr]

Here are a few places that will provide MACR’s. You can request the specific MACR (#12094) from [e-mail] The report from them is free of charge but do expect a wait of several weeks. Fold3 at ww.fold3.com/ has a lot of the MACRs online for immediate download. There is a monthly fee and any number can be downloaded. Aviation Archaeology at www.aviationarchaeology.com/default.htm will provide specific MACR’s with a specific quoted cost for each. If you would like, give me your e-mail and I will send you the MACR (#12094) that I have downloaded. I also may be able to get you in contact with the pilot’s son who may have pictures etc. but would prefer to give you that information in an e-mail. Do let me know if you would like to try and contact him.
Bob Dixon Jr.

[luigi]

hi,
Irling Levine was officer navigator on the B-24 serial #42-51882, plane number 51, which was part of the 826th Squadron. The mission plane on Bolzano (Italy), but the plain was crash on Pontebba (always Italy, Udine). I'm live on Pontebba, near the place of fall.
Sorry for my bad english...

[Bob Dixon]

You are right Luigi. The serial number for the plane was #42-51882. I don’t know how I got that wrong. According to the pilot, who was the only survivor, three other men safely parachuted from the plane. He assumes that they landed in uninhabited valleys and were not found. One report mentions a parachute hanging on rocks in an inaccessible location. The missing air crew report has no other details about these three men. Do you have any idea if they were ever located? Are there any local reports of what may have happened to them? Any details that you could provide would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bob Dixon

[luigi]

i'm just intersted in the incident, i search documents and evidence. Now i want to speak with peoples had see the crash. When i saw any information i post a message. There are the coordinates from google heart:
1. 46° 29'30.60''N, 13° 17'58.40''E (near cemetery, 3 peoples died, wich one was precipited on cemetery);
2. 46° 29'50.48''N, 13° 18'01.02''E ;
3. 46° 28'45.56''N, 13° 18'30.73''E (2 peoples died, wich one with chute);

[dps]

Jun 22, 2012 0:07:09 GMT -5 @Bob Dixon Jr said:

Here are a few places that will provide MACR’s. You can request the specific MACR (#12094) from [e-mail] The report from them is free of charge but do expect a wait of several weeks. Fold3 at ww.fold3.com/ has a lot of the MACRs online for immediate download. There is a monthly fee and any number can be downloaded. Aviation Archaeology at www.aviationarchaeology.com/default.htm will provide specific MACR’s with a specific quoted cost for each. If you would like, give me your e-mail and I will send you the MACR (#12094) that I have downloaded. I also may be able to get you in contact with the pilot’s son who may have pictures etc. but would prefer to give you that information in an e-mail. Do let me know if you would like to try and contact him.
Bob Dixon Jr.

Hi, sorry for the very late response. Is it too late to get that download, and contact information from you?
You can email me at [e-mail]
You've been incredibly helpful, thanks again.

[Bob Dixon Jr]

I am glad that you finally saw the message. I will send you the info by e-mail
Bob Dixon Jr.