Production-block:
B-17G-35-DL: 42-106984 to 42-107233
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 483rd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 817th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 13244
History of
B-17 42-107156 / The Great Speckled Bird
Delivered Tulsa 8/3/44; MacDill 30/3/44; Morrison 8/4/44; Assigned 817BS/483BG Sterparone 29/4/44; Missing in Action Ruhland 22/3/45 with Con Robinson, Kakides, Andreola, Bunn, Chupa {Wounded in Action}, Clifford, Rivera {Wounded in Action}, Cochran {wia), Brown (8 evaded capture & ret.); cp Craig killed by German sniper, Chupa died in Russian hospital (2 Killed in Action); flak & hit by jet enemy aircraft, shot off most of tail, crashed Breslau; Missing Air Crew Report 13244. THE GREAT SPECKLED BIRD.
Last updated: 13. March 2021
B-17 42-107156 / The Great Speckled Bird Details
Eyewitness Statement to the loss of B-17 #42-107156
At 1234 hours the box in which aircraft No. 42-107156 was flying was attacked by jets. This ship was flying No. 2 position. On the first attack a large hole was torn in the right horizontal stabilizer and traders were seen to enter the tail compartment. However, the aircraft apparently remained under control and attempted to follow the box leader, who was losing altitude rapidly du to oxygen and engine trouble. This aircraft last seen at 1240 hours, at 17000 feet still under control but losing altitude, at 5125N – 1425E (Approximate).
Source: MACR 13244
B-17 42-107156 / The Great Speckled Bird Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Con J. Robinson | EVD | - |
| CP | F/O | Richard C. Craig | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | James H. Kakides | EVD | - |
| ENG/TT | CPL | Ivox H. Bunn | EVD | - |
| RO | CPL | John B. Chupa | KIA | - |
| BT | CPL | Virgil D. Cochran | EVD | - |
| WG | SGT | Richard A. Clifford | EVD | - |
| WG | CPL | Hilario M. Rivers | EVD | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Carl H. Brown | EVD | - |
| TOG | S/SGT | John Andreola | EVD | - |
13. March 2021 access_time 3:26
My Father, Hilario M. Rivera was a TOG in this crew. He flew his first combat mission on March 22, 1945. He was bumped to RWG that day. Andreola had more seniority & was also a TOG, he was serving his 26th or last mission & that day they got shot down by a ME-262. My Father was hit by the same 20mm cannon round that wounded Chupa the RO. My Father administered first aid & oxygen for Chupa. He tied a static line to his parachute & kicked him out the door. Over half the crew were picked up by the Russian allies. Chupa & Craig died in a makeshift Russian hospital. My Father had many stories to tell about his WW 2 experience. Conrad Robinson put him in for the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, but he never received it or was denied. My Father passed away this past November 2020 from Covid-19, the silent killer. He was 96 years old & the last of his crew to pass away. We buried him with full Military Honor.
13. March 2021 access_time 8:14
Hello Rene, thank you very much for sharing these information. And I am sorry about the loss of your father.
I have lost my father in December 2020.
Cheers
Jing
23. December 2022 access_time 18:22
Rene, I’m sorry for your loss. I was wondering if you have any photos of Robinson crew members. I’m looking specifically for a photo of Henry Goldman who was a regular member on this crew, but wasn’t on this flight. — Paul