| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-50-BO: 42-102379 to 42-102543 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 96th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 339th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | QJ-S |
| MACR: | 4573 |
| German Document: | KU-772A |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (08 May 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-102444 / Smilin’ Thru
Delivered Cheyenne 3/3/44; Gr Island 30/3/44; Dow Fd 6/4/44; Assigned: 339BS/96BG [QJ-S] Snetterton 7/4/44; MIA Berlin 8/5/44 Pilot: Leo Green, Co-Pilot: Simon Nesbit, Navigator: Jim Hesketh, Bombardier: Dan Benia, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Jack Pope, Radio Operator: Darwin Marl, Ball Turret Gunner: Everett Howe, Waist Gunner: Claude Meadows, Waist Gunner: Chas Moss, Tail Gunner: Harry Shirey (10POW); Enemy aircraft, crashed Doverden, 40km south-east of Bremen, Germany. MACR 4573. SMILIN’ THRU.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-102444 / Smilin’ Thru Details
B-17 42-102444 / Smilin’ Thru Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | F/O | Leo T. Green | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Simon A. Nesbit, Jr. | POW | - |
| NAV | F/O | James F. Hesketh | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Daniel R. Benia | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Jack B. Pope | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Darwin E. Marl | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Everett N. Howe | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Claude W. Meadows | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Charles L. Moss | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Harry Shirey | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 30 April 2026
Write comment
Help preserve the archive: I invest a lot of time into these research results. If my work helps you, I would appreciate a small tip!
30. April 2026 access_time 0:22
B-17 42-102444 / Smilin’ Thru
Plotting the coordinates of the flight plan to a map, I believe that the target of the mission was not Berlin.
The coordinates 5235 0820, line number 10 in the flightplan, marked as ‘target’, show air base Diepholz (ICAO code ETND)
best regards
30. April 2026 access_time 10:26
Thanks for the marks.
I agree with your information and corrected my caption.