Production-block:
B-17F-85-BO: 42-30032 to 42-30131
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 301st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 419th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 1128
History of
B-17 42-30115
Delivered Cheyenne 12/4/43; Smoky Hill 22/4/43; Morrison 5/5/43; Assigned 419BS/301BG St Donat 27/6/43; Oudna 6/8/43; Cerignola 7/12/43 (?); Lucera 1/2/44 (?); Missing in Action {47m} Istres le Tube 16/11/43 with Jerry Dodge, Co-pilot: Harry Solomon, Navigator: Phil Mantiatty, Bombardier: Fred McDonald, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Clarry Beck, Radio Operator: Riland Brenzo, Ball turret gunner: Ed Rivos, Waist gunner: Rich Drager, Waist gunner: Joe Coleman,Tail gunner: Vince Jakubczak (10 KIA); enemy aircraft, ditched Mediterranean Sea. Missing Air Crew Report 1128.
Last updated: 31. October 2025
B-17 42-30115 Details
Witness Statements
Although I did not see the attack made on #42-30115, I notices that a section of the tail had been blown away. The pilot of this plane seemed to have partial control for about five to ten minutes, at the end of which time it went into a spin and disappeared into the clouds. I next saw it burning in the water below. We dropped down about two-hundred feet and circled, but could see no signs of life. To my knowledge no one escaped from either plane, by parachute or otherwise.
2Lt. William F. Hubel
Co-Pilot, Plane #42-30125
Plane #42-30115 was hit by fighters over the coats of France. The tail was badly damaged by this, but the plane seemed under control. Although he tried to stay in formation, the fighters seemed to overwhelm him, and he finally turned into a cloud and disappeared.
T/Sgt. Stanley V. Nowak
Radio Gunner, Plane #42-30125
When I first sighted 42-30115, a strip two feet wide had been show away from his stabilizer. I also noticed that a section of the window in front of the pilot had been knocked out. After one more attack from the fighters, I last saw him flying into the clouds.
S/Sgt. Kermit Snyder
Tail Gunner, Plane 42-30125
About the time we were over the coast Plane 42-30115 veered over and flew right under our plane. At this time I noticed that a large piece of the vertical stabilizer had been shot away. The plane however appeared to be under control. It then disappeared into the clouds and that was the last I saw of it.
S/Sgt. Robert J. Tompkins
Waist Gunner, Plane 42-30125
Source: MACR 1128
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