| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-5-VE: 42-5710 to 42-5724 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 306th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 423rd Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | RD-F |
| MACR | 15472 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (16 February 1943) |
History of
B-17 42-5717
Delivered Cheyenne 13-Sep-42; New Castle 11-Oct-42; Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-F] Thurleigh 29-Nov-1942. The aircraft was attacked by German fighters on the way to bomb the U-Boat pens at St, Nazaire, France on 16-Feb-43. The aircraft crashed near Guillac, France. 7KIA, 1POW 2EVD. MACR 15472
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-5717 Details
The above crew of the aircraft which bombed St. Nazaire, France on 16 Feb 43, was hit by flak and later by fighters and disappeared into clouds about 20 miles north of the target. According to Sgt. Wilson quote ‘I was told by friends who helped me that six bodies were buried by the Germans from my plane. They saw the bodies and also went to the burial. They were buried in the cemetery of a small town called Guillac near Ploermel,‘ unquote.
Source: MACR 15472
B-17 42-5717 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | CPT | William H. Warner | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Arnold R. Carlson | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Lewis H. Utley | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Robert E. Kylius | EVD | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Claiborne W. Wilson | EVD | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Edward F.Espitallier | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Walter C. Morgan | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Robert D. Kisling | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Colin E. Neeley | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | William E. Williams | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 01 March 2026
04. October 2022 access_time 22:34
I am married to the daughter of Edward Espitallier. I am in the process of writing a book, for use by family members and the relatives of any other members of the crew. If you have any commentary please email me and I will respond in kind. Thank You
01. November 2023 access_time 8:51
Hi Alan, I’m Tiffany, my mom is Mary Jane »s cousin. I live in France and am interested in any subjects related to our family (Espitallier /Bogunovitch). My grandmother was Uncle Eddiie’s(as my mom referred to him) sister.
Thanks again and can’t wait to read more.
Warm regards,
Tiffany Calles
01. April 2024 access_time 14:55
hello Alan, my mother’s first cousin was tail gunner William E Williams he was known as Elbert to the family. he was killed in the crash in February 1943. his father was my grandmother’s brother. I have a copy of a March 1943 Saturday evening post that features an article about the November raid to saint naizairre when top turret gunner Aulenbach was killed, it mentions the whole crew including Elbert and your relative Espitallier. I am very interested in any information or book about this crew, thanks.