zoom_in
Production-block:
B-17G-35-DL: 42-106984 to 42-107233
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 447th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 708th Bomb Squadron
- 710th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 10313
History of
B-17 42-107029 / Tailwind
Delivered Tulsa 1/2/44; Kearney 7/2/44; Assigned 710BS/447BG Rattlesden 3/3/44; 708BG; Missing in Action Merseburg 2/11/44 with Bob Johnson, Ken Nickerson, Rubin Poss, Cecil McGonigle, E.V. Lewelling, Tom Ashe, George Christoff, Bob Gilmore (8 Prisoner of War); Joe Esper (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Gross Himmlage, Ger; 1KIA 8POW; Missing Air Crew Report 10313. TAILWIND.
Last updated: 13. February 2022
12. February 2019 access_time 16:30
My father, Staff Sgt Thomas J Ashe was on this last flight when the Tail Wind was shot down over Germany on 11-2-44.
22. May 2020 access_time 19:24
Bonnie, my Grandfather Robert Johnson was the pilot. Would love to see/share any information with you.
02. November 2020 access_time 15:50
I just saw your comment….sorry. I have a lot of information on this mission including the investigation report/post-interviews from crew members.
09. June 2021 access_time 2:01
Feel free to reach out by email.
08. August 2021 access_time 18:11
My grandfather, Rubin Poss was the bombardier on this aircraft. Feel free to reach out as well. He ways told my mom how Red Johnson saved his life that day.
26. February 2024 access_time 3:24
Ryan please reach out to me. 423-502-3152 or andystacy15@gmail.com
08. August 2021 access_time 18:11
Would also love to read the reports you have.
21. October 2022 access_time 1:07
My great-uncle was Cecil McGonigle, I was given many of his military items after he passed away and have been trying to research his time in the military as he rarely talked about it until right before his death. I would love to chat with everyone about the aircraft, crew, and overall history of them during the war.
You should also reach out to the 447thBG website http://www.447bg.com/index.htm and submit information about this crew as none exists of them there yet.
09. February 2024 access_time 19:36
Justin, I am familiar with your great-uncle. I spent some time in the Austin area and heard stories about him and his time in the POW camp. There stories were mostly anecdotal stuff, not many details as you said.
Did you get any of his pictures of his plane or crew? Did you upload them here or on the 447BG website?
Regard,
Aaron
16. March 2024 access_time 10:08
Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos of his crew or aircraft, only the stories (and only once for those). I have his old uniform around somewhere in storage, and I have a crush cap that he had but I’m unsure to whom it belonged. But the prized possession I got from him is, by his own account (I can’t really verify so I choose to believe, the flag they hung in the aircraft during missions which he grabbed before bailing the aircraft. He claimed he carried it with him for the rest of the war in the POW camps.
26. February 2024 access_time 3:25
Justin reach out to me please. 423-502-3152 or andystacy15@gmail.com. Thanks!
16. March 2024 access_time 10:09
Sure I’ll reach out, but I don’t know if I can add much to the story of this crew.
11. November 2023 access_time 15:25
My father, Willard “Andy” Anderson, was the Crew Chief for Tailwind, based in England. From the time I was a small child he taught me mechanical skills. He allowed me full access to his shop his entire life. Every day, in my own shop, I give thanks for the hands-on education he gave me. I have a small shrine for him on the wall next to my drill press. It includes a photo of him with Tailwind.
01. February 2024 access_time 1:50
Please email me at superbonbon@verizon.net and give me your email and I can send you what I have from their last mission.
Bonnie
01. February 2024 access_time 6:24
I would love to see that photo! Could you send it to my email? andystacy15@gmail.com
20. August 2024 access_time 21:42
My great uncle E V lewelling was the radio operator on tailwind when she went down.