Production-block:
B-17F-20-BO: 41-24504 to 41-24539
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 305th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 365th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: XK-T
MACR: 16205 / KSU/ME/KU: 141/43
History of
B-17 41-24533 / Cherry aka Boom Town
Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-T] Presque Is 19/10/42; Grafton Underwood 25/10/42; Missing in Action 22/6/43 with John Hall, Navigator: Walter Allen, Bombardier: Jim Mause, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jasper Doster, Ball turret gunner: Bob Gunson, Waist gunner: Chris Morris (6 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Arnold Grose, Radio Operator: Leroy Kanetzky, Waist gunner: Willard ParkerRIP 23/7/43,Tail gunner: Dennis Jackson (4 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Slijk-Ewijk on River Waal, near Valburg, Hol. Missing Air Crew Report 16205. CHERRY.
Last updated: 26. February 2022
B-17 41-24533 / Cherry aka Boom Town Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | 2LT | John J. Hall | POW | - |
CP | 1LT | Arnold F. Grose | KIA | - |
NAV | 2LT | Walter E. Allen | POW | - |
BOMB | 2LT | James P. Mause | POW | - |
ENG/TT | S/SGT | Jasper Doster | POW | - |
RO | T/SGT | Leroy Kanetzky | KIA | - |
BT | SGT | Robert F. Gunson | POW | - |
WG | T/SGT | Christopher A. Morris | POW | - |
WG | SGT | Willard M. Parker | KIA | - |
TG | S/SGT | Dennis D. Jackson | KIA | - |
17. November 2020 access_time 13:10
I’m looking for pictures of the crew members of this B-17. My stepcousin pilot of a Messerschmitt BF109 shot down the plane at that time.
He himself did not survive this aerial battle and also fell fatally hit by the B-17.
I would be happy to receive an answer.
Best regards
Mike
19. February 2021 access_time 20:09
My wifes father was belly gunner on the origional crew of boom town. The plane was shot up in ball bearing plant bombing in 1943. I have a picture of origional crew with father in law in it. Howard missed the bombing run on bearing plant due to appendectitomy.
Plane was to be scrapped but it was refitted and named cherry.
03. January 2022 access_time 17:45
Correction the flight was the submarine pens in France The Memphis Belle movie is based on the flight of the Boom Town. the Memphis Bell came in unscathed and that was her 25th mission. The Boom Town refitted as the Cherry later shot down in Holland. Howard Rio made all 25 missions on different planes and came home safely.
06. November 2022 access_time 3:34
My Friends Uncle, Lt Grover Bentinck was the Bombardier on the, Boom Town on that sub pen mission. I was wondering if you have any photos of the nose art, and group text on the fuselage. I’m wanting to build him a model of the Boom Town, and would greatly appreciate any help you can give.
Thank you in advance,
Stephen
20. September 2024 access_time 2:39
Grover C. Bentick was my great grandfather. it really is a small world. I was just here trying to look into the history of Boom Town.