Source:
www.fold3.com
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-75-BO: 42-29832 to 42-29931 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 91st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 324th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | DF-H |
| MACR | 1975 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | 565 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (31 December 1943) |
| Missions: | 20+ |
History of
B-17 42-29895 / The Black Swan
Delivered Cheyenne 4/3/43; Scott Fd 28/3/43; Scotts Bluff 7/4/43; Smoky Hill 16/4/43; Presque Is 2/5/43; Assigned 324BS/91BG [DF-H] Bassingbourn 23/5/43; Missing in Action (20+m) Bordeaux 31/12/43 with Stuart Mendelsohn (decapitated), Radio Operator: Dick Hensley (2 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Laverne Woods, Navigator: Warren Ellis, Ball turret gunner: Larry Hull, Waist gunner: Abe Lieberman, Waist gunner: Rollin Gator, Tail gunner: Porter Clemens (6 Prisoner of War), Bombardier: James Schneider, Top Turret Gunner: Jim Quinn (2 evaded capture); Flak KO’d #3, then hit by ground fire as they crossed low over the Brest peninsula, limping home killing two crew, crashed Bannalec, 40 miles NW of L’Orient, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 1975. THE BLACK SWAN.
B-17 42-29895 / The Black Swan Details
Photo taken on 20 December 1943. Eleven days later, this #42-29895 ‘The Black Swan’ were shot down by flak on mission to Lorient.
Eyewitness Description
At 1303 hours 4550N–0130W, A/C 42-29895 was seen with No. 1 engine on fire. This aircraft went up to “B” flight of composite group – drifted back and fitted in with other flight.
Source: MACR 1975
B-17 42-29895 / The Black Swan Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Stuart B. Mendelsohn | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Laverne E. Woods | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Warren L. Ellis | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | James A. Schneider | EVD | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Richard G. Hensley | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | James N. Quinn | EVD | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Larry C. Hull | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Abraham R. Lieberman | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Rolling E. Gater | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Porter D. Clemens | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 01 January 2022
04. November 2019 access_time 18:35
Hello. It seems to me that the Bombardier who was aboard the “Black Swann” who was shot down on December 31, 1943 in the town of Bannalec, was named James and not Jim.
cordially
04. November 2019 access_time 21:13
Hello,
thanks for the information.
Name changed from Jim Schneider to James Schneider.
Cheers
Jing
23. December 2022 access_time 1:09
Per Verne Woods’ own testimony, the Black Swan was shot down by two FW 190 and not brought down by flak. Thanks
27. December 2023 access_time 0:45
Three Hensley’s on their way to visit the site on the 80th anniversary 12/31/22
24. January 2024 access_time 22:00
James Quinn is my uncle, It took him 8 months to get back to England
24. December 2025 access_time 9:59
Hello Kevin, I’m Yves Carnot, I live in Brittany France, I started reseach on the B-17F The Black Swan in 1993, and I met your Uncle James N. Quinn in Haworth, I brought him the evacuation hatch from hid B-17 in 1998. I would very much like to be able to discuss this story with you. Friendly, Yves.
24. December 2025 access_time 10:19
Hello Kevin, I’m Yves Carnot, I live in Brittany not far from the B-17F The Black Swan crashed down on Dec 31, 1943. I Started reseach on this B17F in 1993, and I had the immense pleasure of meeting Jimmy in 1998 in Haworth, and to bring him the escape hatch from his B-17F. I would be very happy to be able to share this story with you. Friendly, Yves.
13. April 2024 access_time 2:14
I’m the daughter of Rollin Gater, tail gunner. POW
15. August 2024 access_time 14:09
Hi Shelia, Family and I visited the crash site on New Years Eve 2023 for the ceremony. It was amazing !
24. December 2025 access_time 10:08
Hello Sheila, I’m Yves Carnot, I live in Brittany France, I started research on the B-17F The Black Swan in 1993. I was in touch with Jeremy Gater until last year, but his email address is no longer valid. I would be very happy to be able to discuss this story with you, and especially of your father Rollin. Friendly, Yves.
12. March 2025 access_time 21:38
Après le crash du Black SwanLe 31 décembre 1943, c’est mon père, Louis LE GALLIC qui s’est occupé de cacher James Alexander Schneider dans un bois comme il le mentionne dans son rapport du 28 février 1944 Page 4. Le mot leur permettant de se reconnaître était”Snake”. L’espoir de mon père était de le rencontrer après la guerre. Après de le décès de mon père en 1995, et après de nombreuses années de recherches, je viens de découvrir que James était décédé le 12 juillet 1952 à Mobridge, la ville où il était né.
09. January 2026 access_time 16:28
Bonjour Jacques, je suis Yves CARNOT, j’ai commencé des recherches sur le crash du B-17F “The Black Swan” et son équipage en 1993, je vous avais écris dans les années 2000/2002 au sujet de James SCHNEIDER, j’aimerai correspondre avec vous sur le parcours de cet aviateur. N’hésitez pas à me contacter si vous le souhaitez. Cordialement, Yves.
29. January 2026 access_time 15:56
Bonjour Yves. J’habite à Casteljaloux dans le Lot et Garonne. Mon père m’a souvent parlé de James Schneider et il s’est toujours demandé ce qu’il était devenu. J’ai donc effectué des recherches le concernant. il est rentré aux Etats Unis après la guerre. Je vais puiser dans les informations que j’ai pu recueillir et je vous tiens informé. Cordialement
29. January 2026 access_time 22:37
Bonsoir Jacques, je vous remercie pour votre message. j’écris actuellement un manuscrit sur l’histoire de la dernière mission du B-17F “The Black Swan” et de son équipage, aussi toute information sur James SCHNEIDER sera la bienvenue. Cordialement, Yves.
06. January 2026 access_time 8:36
I would like to get in touch with the families of James N. Quinn and Rollin Gater. My name is Yves Carnot, and I have started researching the crash of the B-17F The Black Swan in 1993. My grandfather was the first witness at the crash site on December 31, 1943. Thank you for any information.