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Quelle:
fold3.com
Produktionsblock:
B-17G-1-BO: 42-31032 bis 42-31131
Hersteller:
Boeing
- Bomber-Gruppe:
- 401st Bomb Group
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomber-Staffel:
- 401st Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LL-J, LL-F
MACR: 2897 / KSU/ME/KU: 1125/1126
Geschichte der
B-17 42-31079
Delivered Cheyenne 15/9/43; Scott 23/10/43; Assigned 401BG Deenethorpe 14/11/43; transferred 401BS/91BG [LL-J/F] Bassingbourn 20/11/43; Missing in Action Erkner 6/3/44 with Paris Coleman, Navigator: Arthur Rinne, Ball turret gunner: Osceola Phillips,Tail gunner: Steve Pogan (4 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Bob Thompson, Bombardier: Jim O’Looney, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Orlando Puntorno, Radio Operator: Kirk Aldridge, Waist gunner: Art Truesdale, Waist gunner: Francis Deary (6 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft shot off right stabilizer, crashed Lindstedt, seven NW of Gardelegen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 2897.
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 11. Juli 2021
B-17 42-31079 Details
Augenzeugenbericht aus MACR 2897
Das Flugzeug B-17G 42-31079 wurde zuletzt um oder etwa 12:45 Uhr in der Nähe von 5215 N – 1220 E beobachtet, als es von feindlichen Flugzeugen angegriffen wurde. Der rechte Stabilisator wurde weggeschossen und das Triebwerk Nummer drei (3) brannte, als das betroffene Flugzeug endgültig in die Luft flog. Acht (8) Fallschirme wurden von diesem Flugzeug gesehen, und Beobachter hatten das Gefühl, dass das Flugzeug genügend Zeit hatte, dass die beiden anderen das Flugzeug verlassen konnte, als es unter Kontrolle war.
B-17 42-31079 Crew
| Position | Rang | Name | Status | Bemerkung |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Paris R. Coleman | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert A. Thompson | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Arthur C. Rinne | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | James S. O'Looney | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Orlando Puntorno | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Kirk R. Aldrich | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Osceola D. Phillips, Jr. | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Arthur W. Truesdale | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Francis J. Leary | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Steve J. Pogan, Jr. | KIA | - |
10. Dezember 2021 access_time 6:05
Hello –
Are there any other family members of the crew on this plane who have any additional information about its history, and maybe photos of the crew members?
Regards, David
18. Juli 2022 access_time 14:51
yes
16. September 2023 access_time 5:00
Steve , Sean, David, Please contact me. I dont know your email contact
bfraser921@aol.com
13. Juni 2022 access_time 11:44
I met the co-pilot, Robert A. Thompson in the 80’s and we discussed this mission and time in the service and time in A POW camp
07. Juli 2022 access_time 18:56
Hi Bill – I have heard a few stories on whether or not my GPa was able to bail out. Do you have any information on Paris?
Best regards,
Sean Coleman
18. Juli 2022 access_time 14:50
Hi Sean,
My grandfather is Orlando Puntorno, engineer/top turret gunner on this B17, which they called Patches. My Mom still has his POW diary and many other items including a crew photo. We were told that your grandfather Paris and Thompson made sure my grandfather was bailed out, as he was unconscious from the 20mm shell that hit the cockpit area. I also found information that they were the lead ship of the lead group of the lead wing of the 94 mile long bomber stream on that first major US bombing raid on 6 March 44 on Berlin. Would love to discuss with you. And Bill too.
16. September 2023 access_time 4:54
Hi Steve, Just saw your note. Lets compare notes. I met Thompson in the 80’s and we spent 2 days talking about this mission. I will never forget it! There was a book written and colemans plane is mentioned https://www.amazon.com/Target-Berlin-Mission-250-March/dp/0853689156/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XFYUYOR61XPC&keywords=target+berlin+mission+250&qid=1694832819&sprefix=mission+to+berlin%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1
bfraser921@aol.com write me!
16. September 2023 access_time 4:48
I met the co-pilot, Bob Thompson in the 80’s. His daughter invited me up tho his cottage in Maine. I was flight training and saw a picture of a B-17 in his cabin. I ask what the connection was and he told me he was in Lt Coleman plane as the co-pilot on their 17th mission on raid to Berlin March 6, 1944. 69 plane were lost on this mission.They were one of the first planes shot down on a head on pass. He didnt tell me this but I think they were close to the front of a 800+ bomber stream. he told me Paris Coleman and him both bailed out and he doesn’t know how he died. He speculated a couple of things. If you want to chat email me bfraser921@aol.com I spoke to him non stop over 2 days and I will never forget it.