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Production-block:
B-17F-10-BO: 41-24440 to 41-24489
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 401st Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LL-H
MACR: 4830
Missions: 11
History of
B-17 41-24447 / Kickapoo
Assigned 401BS/91BG [LL-H] Bangor 29-Aug-42; Bassingbourn 1-Oct-42; Missing in Action 11m Wilhelmshafen 26-Feb-43. Flak hit caused fire in #4, crashed North Sea. 10 Killed in Action, Missing Air Crew Report 4830. KICKAPOO.
Last updated: 29. February 2020
B-17 41-24447 / Kickapoo Details
Aircraft, B-17F, 41-24447, was last seen at 1202 hours, 10000 feet, 54:05N – 06:05E, heading North-East, with No. 4 engine smoking. No enemy aircraft were near.
B-17 41-24447 / Kickapoo Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | CPT | John T. Swais | KIA | - |
| CP | 1LT | Harry O. Green | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Ralston E. Bixler | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Cassius C. Brandenburg, Jr. | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Walter E. Gilroy | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Everett Gause | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Arthur A. Sullivan | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Robert A DeBarbrie | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Gregg Nesemeier | KIA | - |
| TG | --- | Herbert E. Fisher | KIA | - |
30. January 2021 access_time 4:54
Does anyone have a photo of Kickapoo crew? Cassius Clay Brandenburg was my uncle. Would love to have a photo of plane with crew.
30. May 2023 access_time 5:42
My uncle was Herbert Fisher and he was the tali gunner with your uncle. I unfortunately do not have or am aware of a photo of them . I wish I did also. As in the other comment I also just saw the documentary called “The Cold Blue” I was amazed to see our uncles plane and most of the crew. if you haven’t watched it, you need to. good luck, Scott Fisher
18. March 2024 access_time 5:11
Thank you. I just found your reply. I have not seen the documentary. I will be sure to watch it.
06. June 2022 access_time 1:13
Some amazing footage of this B-17 124447 in the brilliant documentary “The Cold Blue” when the veteran is talking about forming up into groups. She comes really close to the neighbouring B-17 and the bombardier is looking nervously out of the plexiglass nose. It may even be your uncle??? If you freeze frame you can read “Kickapoo” on the nose-art. Not what you requested but some amazing footage. You’ve most likely watched that documentary I suspect?
18. March 2024 access_time 5:15
I just found your message. I have not seen it but will be sure to watch it soon. Thank you!
19. March 2024 access_time 21:19
Thank you Clay. I’m so sorry that your uncle had to pay the ultimate price. His sacrifice and those of his comrades benefitted us all and I for one am eternally grateful. Those guys were unbelievably courageous and brave. I don’t have a hard copy blu ray of “The Cold Blue” because I think it’s only available in U.S region coding. I had to record it from the satellite service provider onto the box so it’s hard to slow it down, freeze frame etc. Here’s something though, if you can slow down the footage I think that you can make out seven bomb tally symbols for missions completed. Look carefully just aft and below the nose-art “Kickapoo” and more or less directly below the navigators side window I think you can see seven bomb symbols??? That means that this fortress was on her eighth mission at the time of filming. If there are any 91st Bomb Group experts with records, you may be able to find a crew list for that mission? That might shed light on whether that’s your uncle glancing out of the plexiglass nose. You can easily make out the pilot, co-pilot and top turret gunner at their respective stations in the footage.