S/Sgt. Evan B. Cook 494th BS
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S/Sgt Evan B. Cook was an engineer/gunner with the 344th BG 494th BS. He flew his first combat mission on March 6, 1944 to attack an airdrome in Bernay St. Martin, France. His 66th and final mission, Sept. 19, 1994 was to bomb Marshalling Yards in Duren, Germany.
Specific information about Cook’s first mission is unavailable. His second mission attacked an enemy air field at Conches, France, March 7, 1944, thirty-six airplanes being dispatched. Results of this mission even exceeded
the first; the Bomber Command rating is “very good.” The success of the attack brought a commendation to the 344th Bomb Group, among others, from the Commanding Officer of the 99th Bombardment Wing for a job
well done. Col. Vance added his words of congratulations as well, commending all personnel in appreciation for the part they played in achieving this success.
Cook’s plane 43-34218 or K9-G piloted by Capt. Webster Stokes Allyn flew near the lead of the formation.
That map above shows the route taken by S/Sgt Cook’s formation. No evasive action to avoid flak was necessary.
According to the interrogation form filed in by pilot, Allyn, the crew was composed of Allyn, pilot; Fubal, co-pilot; Freeman, navigator/bombardier; Johnston, radio/gunner; Cook, engineer/gunner; Kasprsykowski, tail gunner.
The pilot reported hits on the ammunition dump. His plane dropped 14- 250lb bombs.
On May 13, 1944, Sgt. Cook was injured during his 30th mission. The nature of the injury is not readily available.
The mission of May 13, 1944 was to attack coastal defenses near Dunkirk. It is thought that this mission was, in part, a rouse to make the enemy think the pending invasion (D-Day) would happen near Dunkirk rather than Normandy. 31 planes completing the attack out of which 13 returned with slight battle damage with an injury occurring to Sgt. E Cook. The attack results were fair.
The crew of May 13, 1944 included: 2nd Lt. Carrington, pilot; 2nd Lt. Vame, co-pilot; 2nd Lt. Westholm, bombardier; S/Sgt. Cook, engineer/gunner; S/Sgt. Gorrie, radio/gunner; Sgt. Knight, gunner.
They took off at 10:45 am and landed at 12:55 pm after releasing their bombs on target.
Pilot, Carrington reported dropping 4-1000lb bombs from 12,800 ft at 12:06:30 pm. He felt that half the bomb load dropped within the target area. Flak was intense and accurate.
Carrington complained that the plane assigned to drop radar jamming “window” (tinsel) was three miles off to the right and never over the target area. 2nd Lt. Carrington reported that S/Sgt E. Cook (tailgunner) received a flak wound.
Minor damage to the aircraft, K9-F, occurred.
S/Sgt. Cook is located in back row on right.
On D-Day June 6, 1944, S/Sgt. Evan Cook flew in the second mission of the day to bomb a marshaling yard in Amiens, France.
According to group records, “In the afternoon of June 6, 37 planes went to Amiens to again attack the marshaling yard. 24 shipsbombed with fair to good results. The flak was accurate and 20 of the planes received minor battle damage.”
Below is a nice record of all 66 missions flown by S/Sgt. Evan Cook.
