On April 9, 1944, 36 American P-51 Mustang fighters of the 363rd Fighter Group took off from Staplehurst Air Base in England. Their task was to escort American bombers returning from a raid on Tutow in Germany and protect them from German fighters.
At 14:25, just off the Danish coast, pilot Pollard experienced engine problems. He turned around and flew back via the Wadden Sea, but lost more and more altitude. His wingman, 2nd Lt. Deeds, followed him until they disappeared into a bank of clouds, about 1,000 meters above Texel. At 14:50, Deeds lost sight of him and could not make radio contact. Shortly afterwards, Deeds saw flames and smoke, indicating a crash in the water. Pollard was killed. His body washed ashore on 19 April 1944 at the Waddenzeedijk near Hippolytushoef and was buried at Zandburen Cemetery. In 1949 he was reburied at Lassen Cemetery, Susanville, California USA.