Production-block:
B-17G-65-BO: 43-37509 to 43-37673
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 390th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 571st Bomb Squadron
- RCL: FC-J
MACR: 11133 / KSU/ME/KU: 3393
History of
B-17 43-37519 / Joker
Delivered Cheyenne 25/4/44; Kearney 9/5/44; Dow Fd 21/5/44; Assigned 571BS/390BG [FC-J] Framlingham 25/5/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 30/11/44 with Edwin Booth, Quentin Davidson, John Walsh, Joe Jackson (4 Killed in Action); Herb Gates, Bill Long, Tony Morreale, Bruce Greeno (4 Prisoner of War); Abe Elhai (evaded capture); flak hit and exploded, crashed Zwickau, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 11133. JOKER.
Last updated: 17. April 2022
B-17 43-37519 / Joker Details
A/C 519 received a direct hit by flak immediately after bombs away and was reported to have blown up and disintegrated immediately. Observing crew’s oppinion was that no one had a chance to bail out.
Source: MACR 3393
B-17 43-37519 / Joker Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | 1LT | Edwin C. Booth, Jr. | KIA | - |
CP | 2LT | Quentin L. Davidson | KIA | - |
NAV | F/O | Abraham Elhai | KIA | - |
BOMB | 2LT | Herbert B. Gates | POW | - |
ENG/TT | S/SGT | John E. Walsh | KIA | - |
RO | S/SGT | William P. Long | POW | - |
BT | SGT | Joseph D. Jackson | KIA | - |
WG | SGT | Anthony J. Morreale | POW | - |
TG | SGT | Bruce J. Greeno | POW | - |
24. November 2022 access_time 21:22
I am nephew of John E. Walsh (KIA). I wonder about the statement that 519 was hit by flak and exploded over Merseberg on bombs away since it crashed 60 miles away in Zwickau. Also, 4 bailed out and were POW, one of which was captured near Zwickau.
25. November 2022 access_time 8:53
That is the original statement form MACR. But it could be mixed with another B-17 lost that day. This happende often in the chaos of air battle.
02. December 2022 access_time 17:01
This event is dealt with in two pages (p. 40 f) of the book “Zum Luftkriegsgeschehen im Vogtland 1944/45” by Rudolf Laser and Jörg Helbig.