| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 303rd Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 427th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | GN-U |
| MACR | 5019 & 15582 |
| Fate: |
, Crashed on take off (09 April 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-31616 / The Spirit of Flak Wolf
Delivered Cheyenne 27/11/43; Grand Island 5/12/43; Presque Is 17/12/43; Assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-U] Molesworth 14/1/4; crashed on take off Winwick, Huntingdonshire, 9/4/44, with John McGarry, Co-pilot: Willie Cotham, Navigator: Bob Halligan, Bombardier: Ken Foe, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Henry Grace, Radio Operator: Steve Stuphar (6 Killed in Service); Ball turret gunner: Ira Friedman, Waist gunner: Ervin Hilborn, Waist gunner: Mike Vargas,Tail gunner: Walt Kowalonek (4 inj, but later Returned to Duty); Salvaged 11/4/44, after burnt out and causing damage in the village. (Back in April 2010 the #2 engine throttle handle was found at crash site by a man with metal detector, and subsequent research put him in touch with pilot’s family to hand over the memento). Missing Air Crew Report 5019 & Missing Air Crew Report 15582. THE SPIRIT OF FLAK WOLF.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
This page was last updated on 14 September 2017
03. October 2024 access_time 1:07
The navigator, 1Lt. Robert W. Halligan, was friends with my 1st cousin, once removed 2Lt. Jerome “Jerry” Hanson. They were in navigator training together. After Hanson was MIA/KIA on December 16, 1943, Halligan wrote a letter of condolence to his mother that our family has.
06. February 2026 access_time 15:02
Robert Halligan was my great uncle. He died on Easter Sunday 1944, so we never knew him. I would love to see a copy of the condolence letter he wrote your family. Could you email me a picture/copy of it? Many, many thanks in advance.
06. February 2026 access_time 15:49
Robert W. Halligan was my great uncle, though I never knew him (nor did my father, his nephew), as he died on Easter Sunday, 1944. I would love to see a copy of this letter. Would it be possible for you to email me a picture or a copy? Many, many thanks in advance. This would be very meaningful to my family.
06. February 2026 access_time 22:11
Dear Helen,
Just so you know, all I have is a transcription of Robert “Mike” Halligan’s letter- not a copy of the original. I hope that is okay. After the war, Jerome “Jerry” Hanson’s mother collected his letters home and typed them all up, including the letters she received from Jerry’s friends. But you are welcome to it. He was also mentioned in Jerry’s last letter home before he was KIA, which I will include. Can you post your email address? I will email it to you and whatever else I can find about Jerry’s connection to your great uncle.
Sincerely,
Mark
06. February 2026 access_time 22:14
Thank you! That would be wonderful. My email address is: hboehm705@gmail.com
06. February 2026 access_time 14:59
Robert Halligan was my great uncle. I would love to see the condolence letter he wrote your family. Could you email me a picture/copy of it?