Source:
www.306bg.us
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-25-BO: 42-31632 to 42-31731 |
| Delievered: | Denver |
| Project No.: | 92409-R |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 306th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 367th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | GY-O |
| MACR: | 8829 |
| German Document: | KU-2908 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (13 September 1944) |
Werbung/Advertisement
History of
B-17 42-31726 / Duration Plus
Delivered Denver 12/12/43; Kearney 30/12/43; Prestwick 15/1/44; Assigned: 367BS/306BG [GY-O] Thurleigh 10/2/44; MIA Germany. an oil insts 13/9/44 Pilot: Clayton Nattier, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Gerald Bump, Radio Operator: Edwin Block, Ball Turret Gunner: Cecil Richardson, Waist Gunner: Max Kimmel, Tail Gunner: Dick Edwards (6POW); Co-Pilot: Gerald Johnson, Navigator: Bernie Weinstein, Bombardier: Bill Gregory (3KIA); flak, crashed Ammendorf, Ger; MACR 8829. DURATION-PLUS.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
Werbung/Advertisement
B-17 42-31726 / Duration Plus Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Clayton A. Nattier | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Gerald I. Jonson | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Bernard F. Weinstein | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | William A. Gregory | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Gerald B. Bump | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Edwin J. Block | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Cecil A. Richardson | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Max H. Kimmel | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Richard G. Edwards, Jr. | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 07 June 2026
02. June 2023 access_time 17:03
My Grandfather flew this very B-17. Lt. Ben H. Peters, Pilot. He completed his missions and was back Stateside training pilots prior to Duration Plus being shot down.
14. January 2024 access_time 4:24
I believe my father was your grandfather’s tail gunner.
26. January 2024 access_time 14:24
My father is under Ben Peter’s, pilot in their crew photo. He was the tail gunner.
27. October 2024 access_time 15:46
Our family has a crew picture of your father next to my grandfather in-law Ken “Doc” Hoffman. Doc was the flight engineer and top turret gunner. I believe he told me your dad was from NJ.
06. June 2026 access_time 20:19
My father was the bombardier! Wounded by flak in the throat on Feb 22 1944 mission to Bernburg. Never flew again. Anyone know who the Navigator was? He saved Dad’s life (and mine!) by compressing the wound until they landed at Thurleigh.
07. June 2026 access_time 8:22
Hello Tom,
Navigator was 2nd Lt. Jospeh C. Fowler on the February 22, 1944 mission.
I highly recommend to visit the 306th Bomb Group website:
https://306bgus.verio.com
And using the search options:
https://306bgus.verio.com/SearchV7/
27. October 2024 access_time 15:13
My grandfather in-law was Ken “Doc” Hoffman from Canton, Ohio. He was the flight engineer and top turret gunner on the Duration Plus with your grandfather. I have a copy of their flight log lost all missions from 24 February 1944 through 20 June 1944 (36 missions) .
06. June 2026 access_time 20:03
Can you send me a copy of the flight logs in Jan and Feb 1944, up to Feb 22? Thanks, Joe!
10. January 2024 access_time 4:02
The Crew (Nattier) was with the 369 BS and lost their wheel brakes and had to go back and reload in “ Duration Plus” a 367th aircraft the day they were shot down.
05. March 2024 access_time 5:11
I got to meet Clayton Nattier. He got to sit in my Falcon 50 one day in Denver Co . He said “ this Falcon instrument panel looks a lot different than the days he was flying”.
06. November 2024 access_time 17:31
I submitted comments a few weeks ago, but they don’t appear on this page for some reason. My grandfather in-law was Ken “Doc” Hoffman the first engineer and top turret gunner on the Duration Plus. I have two crew photos with the plane in the background. One appears to be the first crew/plane photo taken since no nose art or bombing mission count has been added yet. Is there a way to submit the photos to this page or administrator?
06. November 2024 access_time 17:33
Sorry, I forgot to mention that the second crew photo shows that the “Duration Plus ” nose art has been added, as well as completion of 5 bombing missions.
06. June 2026 access_time 20:00
My Dad, Robert W Fry, was the Bombardier on The Duration Plus, for 4 missions, including Feb 22 1944 over Bernburg. He was seriously wounded in the neck by flak and that was his last mission. He survived only thanks to the navigator who compressed the wound until they landed. One vocal cord was paralyzed and he spoke with a raspy voice from then one. If anyone has a crew pic with The Duration, on or prior to Feb 22 1944, PLEASE send it to me. Thanks!
06. June 2026 access_time 20:06
My Dad would have been your grandfather’s bombardier on The Duration Plus, until he was severely wounded on Feb 22 1944 mission to Bernburg. Any crew pics or logs or other info would be greatly appreciated!
27. June 2026 access_time 20:34
On Duration Plus’s last sorte, My First Cousin one removed, was the Bombardier … WILLIAM (BILL) GREGORY. One of three KIA on the flight.
Duration Plus was a backup AC for the mission ready crew, having to transfer from their damaged on taxi, Heavenly Body.