Source:
www.fold3.com
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-80-BO: 42-29932 to 42-30031 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 381st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 535th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | MS-P |
| MACR: | 2495 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (30 January 1944) |
| Missions: | 28 |
History of
B-17 42-30029 / “Chap’s” Flying Circus
Delivered Cheyenne 1/4/43; Pueblo 8/4/43; Smoky Hill 11/5/43; Dow Fd 21/5/43; Assigned: 535BS/381BG [MS-P] Ridgewell 29/5/43 Pilot: Frank Chapman, Dick Robinson, Bill Hodge, Wilson Cupp, Otha Frost, Edwin Myers, Ed Pope, John Wardell, Bill Richardson, Bob Gugenheim; MIA {28m} Oschersleben 30/1/44 w/Carl Baer{body washed up 4/2/44}, Co-Pilot: Bob Remple, Navigator: Malcolm Van Hise, Bombardier: Henry Palas, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Bob Vogelbaugh, Radio Operator: Joe Moore, Ball Turret Gunner: Phil Phillipuk, Waist Gunner: John Tully, Waist Gunner: Jim Rigat, Tail Gunner: Ed Meyers (10KIA); Enemy aircraft, ditched North Sea off Gt Yarmouth, MACR 2495. CHAP’S FLYING CIRCUS.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-30029 / “Chap’s” Flying Circus Details
Last original aircraft lost.
Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17 #42-30029 / “Chap’s” Flying Circus
I was the pilot on B-17G A/C 42-40025 on the mission to Brunswick, Germany on 30 January 1944. While crossing the coast just after the flak was directed at our wing, I heard Lt. Baer call Goonchild leader for fighter support as he was dropping back in formation. Goonchild did not receive him so he called Dullface leader, Lt. Ridley. Ridley answered him and Baer again told him that he was dropping back in formation and would like fighter support. Ridley then called Goonchild leader and told him the story and called Baer again to tell him he contacted the leader. Bear did not answer this call or it may be that I could no received him then. That was all I heard over the VHF. My enlisted men saw him losing altitude and dropping back.
2Lt. Henry Putek
I was Pilot on B-17G A/C No. 42-39906 on the mission to Brunswick, Germany on 30 January 1944. Upon reaching the Dutch Coast on the return route, I received a call over VHF channell “A” from Lt. Baer, who was flying B-17F A/C No. 42-30029. He said that he was very low on gasoline, having only about 109 gallons, ans was falling back out of formation. At the time he said he was about 3 miles behind the formation and I understood him to say that he had four engines running. This was about 1330. At about 1335 he called again, requesting fighter support and I relayed his call to the Wing Leader, who said he would try and get fighters back to cover him. The last contact I had with Lt. Baer was at about 1340 or 1345 and at that time he reported to be throwing his guns, etc, out, and he would be lucky if he made the English coast.
1Lt. Bill B. Ridley
I was Pilot on B-17G A/C No. 42-31357 on the mission to Brunswick, Germany on 30 January 1944. Approximately five (5) minutes before crossing the enemy coast of Holland, Lt. Baer started to lag in formation. Shortly after crossing the enemy coast another B-17 pulled up into Lt. Baer’s former position. We saw no more of Lt. Baer.
1Lt. Harold F. Henslin
B-17 42-30029 / “Chap’s” Flying Circus Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Carl O. Baer | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert C. Remple | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Malcom J. Van Hise | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Henry G. Palas | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Robert H. Vogelbaugh | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | John F. Moore | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Philio Phillipuk | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John T. Tully | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | James Rigat | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Edward J. Meyers | KIA | - |
5,594 Aufrufe
This page was last updated on 14 November 2020
20. May 2025 access_time 20:54
Ed Meyers was my uncle. I have a picture of him with James Rigat. I’ve looked online for the Rigat family, but no success. If they find this, please respond to this comment.
03. October 2026 access_time 3:40
Hello Julia, my brother Ken and I have been researching info about Ed and Francis Meyers. Our grandmother, Betty Meyers Lightkep was their sister. So that would make us relatives. If you have any additional information about these brothers, we would be very grateful if you could share. Thank you so much, we are so proud to be related to these brave men.
28. August 2026 access_time 14:34
Can anyone identify who’s who in the picture? I’m particulary interested in Carl Owen Baer.
Thanks in advance!
27. September 2026 access_time 7:25
Lt. Carl Owen Baer was my uncle. I was born on August 1st…his birthday. As a small child I would occasionally dream about him being in the water and would wake up crying. My mother and aunts would occasionally tell me stories about him. I believed he trained in New Mexico, Texas??? Not sure. In any case, he sent each of his 3 sisters a ring from the place he was training. I have the ring he sent my mother. What is your interest in him?
28. September 2026 access_time 1:10
Hi, Carol! I recently had a great visit w/ my 4th cousin, a fellow family history addict. She mentioned Carl, a few details about his death, and that she was related. I did some research finding this connection between her & him:
Relationship Chart (from my family tree software):
Carl Owen Baer [26271] is the 1st cousin once removed of Deborah Kay Bushnell [9740]
Common Ancestor
* Jacob Emil Baer [16465]
(1855-)
* Lillian A Baston [24282]
(1864-)
Married 4 Mar 1885 [MRIN: 5319]
|
—————————————-
| |
| |
Ray Medley Bushnell [831] * Carl James Baer [26269]
(1892-1971) (1886-)
* Dorothy Marguerite Baer [832] Alice Myrtle Owen [26270]
(1896-1976) (1895-)
Married [MRIN: 370] Married 15 Jun 1918 [MRIN: 10221]
| |
| |
* Guerdon Bushnell [833] * Carl Owen Baer [26271]
(1919-2011) (1921-1944)
Stella Garstka [9720]
(1916-1992)
Married 20 Dec 1941 [MRIN: 2483]
|
|
* Deborah Kay Bushnell [9740]
(1957-)
Do you know which person in the photo on this page is Carl? I’d love to see a picture of the ring given to your mother & hear stories of any kind about Carl. Which of his sisters is your mother?
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67429481/carl-james-baer
Gary, the family history/photo addict 🙂