zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-80-BO: 42-29932 to 42-30031
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 534th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: GD-D
MACR: 383
History of
B-17 42-29954 / Devil’s Angel
Delivered Denver 17/3/43; Pueblo 8/4/43; Smoky Hill 7/5/43; Dow Fd 25/5/43; Assigned: 534BS/381BG [GD-D] Ridgewell 25/5/43 Pilot: Bill Wroblicka, Omen Jones, Jim Delano, Lester Schneider, Joe Labushevicz, Fred Smith, Dick Wante, Edwin Jonson, John Kratzer, Walt Cecil; MIA Gelsenkirchen 12/8/43 w/Bill Wroblicka, Co-Pilot: Claude Neeley, Navigator: Dave Harris, Bombardier: Lester Schneider, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Joe Labushevicz, Radio Operator: Fred Smith (6 POW), Ball Turret Gunner: Edwin Jonson, Waist Gunner: John Kratzer, Waist Gunner: John Phelan, Tail Gunner: Walt Cecil (4 KIA); Enemy aircraft, crashed Hemmerich, NW of Bonn, Germany. MACR 383. DEVIL’S ANGEL.
Last updated: 11. March 2025
B-17 42-29954 / Devil’s Angel Details
In the S-2 files at this station is an account of a B-17F, believed to have been piloted by 1st Lt. William Wroblicka. This account states that aircraft no. 42-29954 peeled out of formation at 24000 feet with no. two (2) engine burning and still under attack by two (2) enemy fighters. The damaged B-17F was headed for a cloud deck below and sight was lest of him.
The pilot who made this report is missing in action on a later raid.
Source: MACR 383
B-17 42-29954 / Devil’s Angel Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | CPT | William Wroblicka | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Claude E. Neeley | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | David E. Harris | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Lester W. Schneider | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Joseph G. Labushevicz | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Fred M. Smith | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Edwin M. Jonson | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John L. Kratzer | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | John C. Phelan | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Walter R. Cecil | KIA | - |
15. March 2019 access_time 15:31
I recently received a picture of the Devils Angel with 9 crew members taken in front of it. Wanting more information, as I believe I have family in the pic.
Can contact me anytime.
25. October 2019 access_time 4:56
I believe someone I am researching is in the picture as well. His name is John Kratzer. Could you possibly send me a link to the photo, please?
28. October 2019 access_time 21:28
I have some information about John Kratzer if you are interested. Let me know.
11. May 2020 access_time 21:22
Sorry for the late reply, yes I would love the information. If you have a picture of him too, that would be great. Please send info to my email, HuLou28@gmail.com. Thanks.
11. May 2020 access_time 21:30
Hello Hudson, Mr. Pickersgill’s email-adress is few comments below. You can contact him directly I think.
Best wishes
Jing
20. December 2020 access_time 6:35
I’m John Kratzer’s nephew.
20. December 2020 access_time 7:04
I’m John Kratzer’s nephew. My sisters and I are interested what information you may have.
20. June 2021 access_time 7:14
I wish they would notify me when people reply to comments on here. Again, sorry for the very late response. Could you contact me through my email at HuLou28@gmail.com? I can share what I have there.
20. June 2021 access_time 9:31
Hello Hudson, I have informed Jim about your comment. Also I will working a function for comment notification in the future. Thank you for suggestion.
25. October 2019 access_time 22:02
I would very much like a copy of this photo please. I am a member of a group of amateur war historians in Germany who are currently researching the crash of this plane. Would you be so kind as to share it?
My friends have located the actual crash site and have begun excavation. I have a lot of information about the crash and the crew that I would be happy to share if that interests you. Let me know.
thank you.
24. February 2020 access_time 19:42
Hi George,
Fred Smith is my great great uncle, I would love more information about the crash and the crew. Also, if you have any more information about the man who shot down the plane that would be of interest. Thank you very much.
09. April 2020 access_time 17:47
Jordan… I would be happy to share it with you and tell you anything you’d like to know. I do know who shot it down and even have a picture of him. How about we do this by email if you don’t mind. Please email me at GPickersgill@gibsoncounty-in.gov and I’ll share everything with you.
George
09. April 2020 access_time 17:51
I know all about Fred Smith and can tell you about anything you’d like to know. I also believe I have the photo that is being discussed in this forum. Email me at GPickersgill@gibsoncounty-in.gov.
24. February 2020 access_time 19:43
Hi Nancy,
It is likely that my great great uncle is in the photo. I’d love to see it if you wouldn’t mind sending.
15. March 2024 access_time 14:53
My father Claude Neeley was co-pilot. I do have a picture of the crew in front of the B-17
24. February 2020 access_time 19:54
Hello everyone, I asked Nancy for the photo. But for unknown reason. She doesn’t have the photo anymore.
25. February 2020 access_time 19:08
Hello everyone again, I received few information and photos from a historican in Germany. One of the photos show a nine men crew in front of “Devil’s Angel”. It’s the crew of William Wroblicka.
21. April 2024 access_time 23:15
The picture of Devil’s Angel with 9 (of a 10) man crew can be found here but you need to select “view all two objects” to see it.
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/aircraft/42-29954
And, Jordan, if you ever check back on this site, your great great uncle, Fred M. Smith is in the back row, second from the right.
Also, someone should update this entry because it lists five crewmen as being KIA. The correct number is four. That information can also be found on the link above.