Source:
www.303rdbg.com
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-45-BO: 42-5250 to 42-5349 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 303rd Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 360th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | PU-A |
| MACR: | 738 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (02 October 1943) |
| Missions: | 43 |
History of
B-17 42-5260 / Yardbird II
Delivered Denver 26/10/42; Salina 15/12/42. Assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-A] Molesworth 29/1/43; 43m. Missing in Action Emden 2/10/43 Enemy aircraft, crashed North Sea. Missing Air Crew Report 738.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-5260 / Yardbird II Details
B-17F #42-5260 Yardbird II. Aircraft was hit by gunfire from two ME-109s immediately after the formation left the target. The ship peeled off, went down out of control, and exploded above the overcast. One parachute was observed coming out of the B-17 before it went out of sight. The B-17 crashed into the the North Sea and all crewmen were killed.
See more at http://www.303rdbg.com/360tippet.html
B-17 42-5260 / Yardbird II Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Paul S. Tippet | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Lewellyn H. Nemitz | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Edwin E. Mims | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Bernard Rice | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Oaks H. Smith | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Thomas L. Richardson | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Abraham J. Rasch | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Hugh F. Gibney, Jr. | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | William R. Greason | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Jack H. Randall | KIA | - |
| PHOTO | SGT | Carney C. Rhodes | KIA | - |
5,532 Aufrufe
This page was last updated on 05 April 2019
07. May 2019 access_time 15:58
I have a picture of the Yardbird II crew (which my father was on) showing them as lead crew on a mission with a notation of 15-5-43. If the plane was lost 2-10-43, how is this possible?
07. May 2019 access_time 17:48
Photo of your father was May 15th 1943 and this B-17 went los on October 2nd 1943. So, it’s plausible, or not?
31. October 2022 access_time 23:02
Ah, I forgot about the military date format.
21. October 2026 access_time 23:38
Hello Paul,
I came across your May 2019 comment mentioning that you have a photograph of the crew of Yardbird II, on which your father served.
I’m currently writing a multi-volume reference book on U.S. military watches of World War II. As part of the book, I’ve written a historical reconstruction of the 303rd Bombardment Group’s mission to Schweinfurt on August 17, 1943, featuring Yardbird II (B-17F, serial number 42-5260).
The narrative illustrates how aircrews used precision timekeeping instruments, including the Hamilton Master Navigation Watch, Type A-11 wristwatches, and the Elgin Type A-8 Navigation Stopwatch, during combat operations.
I would very much like to include a photograph of Yardbird II and its crew to accompany this account. Would you be willing to share a high-resolution copy of your photograph and grant permission for its reproduction in my forthcoming book? Naturally, I would provide full photographic credit in whatever form you prefer.
I’d also be interested in learning more about your father’s service aboard Yardbird II, particularly his name and crew position. Any additional history or recollections you might be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for considering my request, and for helping preserve the history of the men who served with the 303rd Bombardment Group.
Kind regards,
James Delgado
23. October 2026 access_time 18:01
Hi James,
This might be the photo Lindwell was talking about: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/204856272 His comment is seven years old but I do hope he reaches out to you. Looking at the mission report for the 303rd BG on August 17, 1943 — https://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/060.pdf — it says “Yardbird II” was flown by 1Lt William T. Baker and his crew. The only photo I found of them as a crew was in front of another B-17: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/204855938 Baker is standing on the left. Right waist gunner Vergil Bowman (kneeling, left) and ball turret gunner Fred Dioquardo (not shown) were each credited with two kills on the Schweinfurt raid, while top turret gunner Neal Fielder (kneeling, second from right) and left waist gunner Norwood Borror (kneeling, third from right) each got one kill. Tail gunner Charlie Bacon (kneeling, second to left) was wounded. In total the crew was credited with shooting down six fighters on the Schweinfurt raid — one Fw 190, one Bf 109, and four Bf 110s.
I’m not sure if this helps with anything and I do hope Lindwell reaches out because he probably has more (and more interesting) information.