| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-85-BO: 42-30032 to 42-30131 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 97th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 414th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR | 16152 |
| Fate: |
, Crashed on take off (06 July 1943) |
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History of
B-17 42-30121 / The Virgin
Delivered Cheyenne 14/4/43; Smoky Hill 22/4/43; Morrison 4/5/43; Warner Robins 11/5/43; Assigned 414BS/97BG Chateau-du-Rhumel 29/5/43; crashed on take off 6/7/43 with Paul Slaten, Co-pilot: Leo Johnson, Navigator: Gordon Lowe, Bombardier: Bill Studek, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: J Showers, Radio Operator: Walter L Wall, Ball turret gunner: A Wopodian, Waist gunner: John Gold, Waist gunner: George Gallant,Tail gunner: B Morris (10 Killed in Action), hit oil drums and burned. All killed. Missing Air Crew Report 16152.
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This page was last updated on 10 April 2018
05. April 2023 access_time 6:00
THE CRASH
JULY 6th, 1943 July 6th-At noon today as the ships were taking off in a strong cross-wind-No. 121 went out of control, hit some gas drums and blew up. 10 men were blown to- bits by the bombs, gasoline, and the concussion. Several of the ground crew in the vicinity received shrapnel wounds and several others were a bit skinned up from being blown over or diving for cover. It is a horrible sight to see bits of somebody’s son lying here and there on a sand air field in Africa. The only consolation is that even tho they knew they were in trouble as they
rose off the runway, it was all over in 10 seconds. May God be with those lads – they died for a good cause even tho their deaths could have been avoided, in my estimation. With a 30 or 40 mile phwind, why should we risk lives when we have plenty of good days? Those guys at HQ should feet mighty bad at this time. But the show must go on
are you happy, Doolittle.
From the diary of Mr. Earl Hansen-97th Bomb Group -41 4th Squadron
02. June 2024 access_time 15:01
My Grandfather’s Brother was the Flight Officer / Copilot. Our family was told a completely diffrent story about fog and a crippled plane returning to airfiled striking them. God Bless you for your diary entry. May they all rest in Peace.