Production-block:
B-17F-70-BO: 42-29732 to 42-29831
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 2nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 96th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 456
History of
B-17 42-29760
Delivered Denver 15/2/43; Salina 2/3/43; Morrison 29/3/43; Assigned 49BS/2BG Navarin 22/4/43; Chateau-du-Rhumel 27/4/43; Ain M’Lila 17/6/43; Massicault 31/7/43; Missing in Action {24m} Foggia 19/8/43 with John Carter, Co-pilot: Bob Quesnal, Navigator: Bill Galligan, Bombardier: Chas Jacobson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Mike Tegge, Radio Operator: Walter Frei, Ball turret gunner: David Shea, Waist gunner: Harry Swartwood, Waist gunner: Russell Hays,Tail gunner: Emmett Adams (10 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft ko’d #3, crashed in sea, two chutes seen. Missing Air Crew Report 456.
Last updated: 28. July 2017
31. December 2025 access_time 5:44
My great grandfather was Russell Hayes. I have some information from when he was shot down. He said as they were battling the German fighter planes, their number three engine was out from a flak hit. They had a hole in their wing the size of a cook stove. One of their engines caught fire and the captain gave order to bail out. They were at 20,000 feet and going 180 mph. He said as he jumped from the plane he could see the volcano, Mount Etna. He said as the plane descended it ended up crashing into the side of Mount Etna. (When he told this story in 2004, he was told there are still parts of their plane on Mount Etna.) He was a POW for 21 months.
31. December 2025 access_time 5:56
He also stated their plane was called the “Geronimo.”