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Production-block:
B-17G-55-BO: 42-102544 to 42-102743
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 305th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 365th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: XK-B
MACR: 8435
History of
B-17 42-102609
Delivered Cheyenne 18/3/44; Hunter 9/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned: 365BS/305BG [XK-B] Chelveston 30/4/44; battle damage Delitzsch, Germany. 16/8/44 Pilot: Chas Laverdierre, Art Leuthhesser, Warren Shepler, Warren Walhauser, Earl Harris, Leo Korland (6RTD); Salvatore Pepitone (POW); Don Gault, Leroy Marsh (2KIA); Salvaged. 2 SAD 17/8/44. MACR 8435.
Last updated: 21. June 2024
B-17 42-102609 Details
Aircraft No. 42-102609 was hit by enemy aircraft just after the target. The tail gunner bailed out, and his parachute was seen to open. The ball turret sustained a direct hit, and consequently was destroyed, and the ball turret gunner fell out. It is not believed that he had a parachute on. The waist gunner was killed, and the rest of the crew landed at Earls Colne, England.
Sgt. Edward G. Coberly
365th Bomb Squadron
Source: MACR 8435
19. June 2024 access_time 14:36
Hello, the person in the tail gunner position on the the B17 in the second clip was my grandfather. He survived. He either bailed out of the plane or was forced out. He parachuted to safety and was a POW for the rest of the war. His name is Salvatore William (Sonny) Pepitone.
26. June 2024 access_time 23:13
Was Pepitone injured prior to the bailout? Because it was a miracle that he survived, even as a POW, while two other crewmen were killed by the 30mm cannon fire.
27. June 2024 access_time 0:14
Hello, no he was not injured as far as I know. His canopy could have exploded around him as the 30 mm mine shells that hit his plane rely on shockwaves rather than fragmentation. Also, the mine shells lose momentum quickly as they are the lighter alternative for the MK 108 auto cannon. So, penetration was a bit more difficult for this shell at normal distances. He could have just simply bailed after losing contact after explosion. Sonny died in 1997 so I can’t confirm with him. take care -Dan