Production-block:
B-17G-35-DL: 42-106984 to 42-107233
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 452nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 731st Bomb Squadron
- RCL: V
MACR: 7388 / KSU/ME/KU: 2701
History of
B-17 42-107225
Delivered Tulsa 28/3/44; Kearney 6/4/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; Assigned: 731BS/452BG Deopham Green 22/4/44; MIA Eindhovenl 9/8/44 Pilot: Horace Bradshaw, Tim Ahren, Bill Farriss, George Blanford, Mike Billey, Alex Jablonski, Bill Kirk (7POW); Roy Martin (EVD); Frank Doucette (KIA); flak, crashed Eindhoven, Hol. MACR 7388.
Last updated: 8. August 2021
B-17 42-107225 Details
Following statement obtained by S-2 Seetion, 452nd Bomb Group (H) at interrogation after return of mission:
Enroute in to the target the Wing encountered bad weather, and in an attempt to go under the overcast, the 452nd B Group encountered the outer flak defenses of Liege. A/C #225 was hit at this point and jettisoned its bombs and fell behind the formation. Was last seen at approx. co-ordinates noted above on the deck under control, with three engines feathered.
Source: MACR 7388
B-17 42-107225 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Horace F. Bradshaw | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Timothy I. Ahren | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | William P. Farris | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | George A. Blanford | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Roy O. Martin | EVD | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Michael Billey | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Frank E. Doucette | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Alexander P. Jablonski | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | William J. Kirk | POW | - |
23. December 2020 access_time 14:51
Mike Billey was my father. The aircraft name was “Johnny Reb.”
01. April 2021 access_time 10:30
Researching this B17 for a very long time. Get in touch with the family of Horace Bradshaw(pilot), William Farris and William Kirk. I thought I got in touch with you but I am not sure. If you would like get in touch with me and see where we get from there. In 2019 we put a small memorial token near the site where the plane crashed.
28. July 2021 access_time 2:24
We have exchanged some notes, yes. I would love to see photographs of the memorial if you have any.
13. February 2022 access_time 11:51
Hi Don, Lost your address details so if you send me these I will send you photos of the memorial unveiled by the Daughter of Pilot Horace Bradshaw.
28. July 2021 access_time 21:31
Hi Don,
Contact me of board azantvoortAToutlook.com replace AT for @
08. August 2021 access_time 11:42
Still tracking down the relatives of Timoty Ahern, Alexander Jablonski,Roy o’Martin and Frank Doucette and George Blanford.
29. January 2024 access_time 20:08
Corrections to information above: Horace Bradshaw’s status was “evaded,” and Roy Martin was a POW.
15. March 2024 access_time 19:33
So wonderful to meet you today at Columbus Airport. Thank you for sharing the story of your father Michael Billey. It made my day. Sincerely, William Schmidt Jr.