Production-block:
B-17G-45-BO: 42-97173 to 42-97435
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 384th Bomb Group
- 398th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 545th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: JD-G
MACR: 3871
History of
B-17 42-97228 / GI Jive
Delivered Cheyenne 9/2/44; Gr Island 23/2/44; Presque Is 12/3/44; Assigned 988BG Nuthampstead 16/3/44; transferred 545BS/384BG [JD-G] Grafton Underwood 31/3/44; Missing in Action Schweinfurt 13/4/44 with George Poole, Co-pilot: Bob Butler, Bombardier: Des Dillingham, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gus Mazzaccaro, Radio Operator: Bill Marshall, Ball turret gunner: Herman Hoskins, Waist gunner: Cleo Martino, Waist gunner: Bill Brennan,Tail gunner: Ed Holland (9 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Morris Kantor (KIA- killed during fighter attack); enemy aircraft, crashed Messbach, near Billings, 11 miles SE of Darmstadt, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 3871. G.I. JIVE.
Last updated: 4. November 2017
B-17 42-97228 / GI Jive Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | George L. Poole Jr. | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert A. Buttler | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Morris Kantor | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Augustine F. Mazzaccaro | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | William Marshall | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Herman Hoskins Jr. | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Cleo J. Hartlino | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | William M. Brennan | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Edward J. Holland | POW | - |
| TOG | T/SGT | Desmond Q. Dillingham | POW | - |
08. April 2018 access_time 23:24
I am so glad I found this web page! William M. Brennan was my father. This is the first published account that verifies to me the name of the air crews plane, GI JIVE.
My dad told me so much over the years about his service and subsequent time as a POW in Stalag 17 b near Krems,Austria.
Thank you to whoever is responsible for this page because you cannot believe how happy you have made me.
I am one of 12 siblings and I can’t wait to share this information.
Thank you so much.
Stephen Brennan
09. April 2018 access_time 4:51
I am glad that this webpage could help you 🙂
Jing
11. August 2025 access_time 23:22
Hello, my name is Kenneth Koch. 25 years ago, I intensively researched World War II aircraft crash sites in my region. The B17 Gi Jive crash site was only about 1,000 meters from where I lived at the time. Many small fragments of the B17 can still be found in the ground there. There’s also a photo of the B17 after the crash in a book about this topic.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Sincerely, Kenneth Koch
21. August 2025 access_time 17:40
Hello Ken, I would love to hear more info on the crash site of the GI Jive and location. I was stationed in Kitzingen during the late 1980s before I got interested in my Uncles history. You can email me directly at robolmsted370@gmail.com Thanks for reaching out!
17. November 2025 access_time 21:20
Hi Kenneth,
I live in Fischbachtal (Niedernhausen) and would like to learn more from you about the B-17 GI Jive. Greetings from the Odenwald, Mirko
04. November 2019 access_time 5:21
2Lt Robert Butler is my great Uncle. He survived being a POW but tragically was killed on a radar mission in Alaska while piloting a B29. His plane is still visible on a glacier that is now unofficially called Bomber Glacier. He comes from a long line of military veterans, my father is a Vietnam Vet, all 4 of his boys are Army vets and we have have one nephew currently at Ft Rucker training to be a Helicopter Pilot. Uncle Bob will be keeping him safe in the sky. RIP Uncle Bob, wished I could have met you
11. August 2025 access_time 23:22
Hello, my name is Kenneth Koch. 25 years ago, I intensively researched World War II aircraft crash sites in my region. The B17 Gi Jive crash site was only about 1,000 meters from where I lived at the time. Many small fragments of the B17 can still be found in the ground there. There’s also a photo of the B17 after the crash in a book about this topic.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Sincerely, Kenneth Koch
28. October 2023 access_time 2:13
My grandfather was Dillingham. Pow. I’m starting my research into his work.
11. August 2025 access_time 23:21
Hello, my name is Kenneth Koch. 25 years ago, I intensively researched World War II aircraft crash sites in my region. The B17 Gi Jive crash site was only about 1,000 meters from where I lived at the time. Many small fragments of the B17 can still be found in the ground there. There’s also a photo of the B17 after the crash in a book about this topic.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Sincerely, Kenneth Koch
11. August 2025 access_time 19:31
Hello, my name is Kenneth Koch. 25 years ago, I intensively researched World War II aircraft crash sites in my region. The B17 Gi Jive crash site was only about 1,000 meters from where I lived at the time. Many small fragments of the B17 can still be found in the ground there. There’s also a photo of the B17 after the crash in a book about this topic.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Sincerely, Kenneth Koch
12. August 2025 access_time 20:19
The plane was attacked by Fw 190s at 1354hrs from head-on at 21,000ft and went down, along with six other B-17s, mostly from the low squadron. The navigator was killed in the attack and the pilot ordered the crew to abandon ship. He reported after the war, “I helped the co-pilot out of his seat and put his ‘chute on him, and he bailed out the front hatch. I looked at the navigator then bailed out [of the] front hatch. I have heard that the plane blew up.” Info from MACR 3871. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/90948672?objectPage=2