Production-block:
B-17F-95-BO: 42-30232 to 42-30331
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 95th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 335th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: OE-U
MACR: 1118
History of
B-17 42-30272 / Fritz Blitz
Delivered Cheyenne 7/5/43; Gore 8/5/43; Smoky Hill 17/5/43; Dow Fd 30/5/43; Assigned 335BS/95BG [OE-U] Horham 15/6/43; Missing in Action (21m) Munster 10/10/43 with Eldon Broman, Co-pilot: John Chaffin, Navigator: Bill Fowler, Bombardier: Paul Guiteras, Radio Operator: Warren Thomas, Ball turret gunner: Richmond Dillon, Waist gunner: Frank Dean, Waist gunner: Jake Black,Tail gunner: Tom Kelly, obs-Capt Chas Forney (10 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Roy Rightmire (KIA-anoxia); crashed Haakbergen, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 1118. FRITZ BLITZ.
Last updated: 4. November 2017
05. April 2019 access_time 1:05
Would like to know what type German fighter shot down Fritz Blitz on 10/10/43. Researching for son of the tail gunner.
13. December 2020 access_time 18:23
Hi Eric and Jeanette! I just came across your comments. Perhaps we can connect offline? My father was the Left Waist Gunner on the Fritz Blitz.
30. December 2020 access_time 2:47
I am the daughter of right waist gunner on Fritz Blitz. Jake Black he has passed in 92. Interested in any info
08. July 2021 access_time 5:30
Hi Marilea! I just sent a friend request to you via Facebook.
17. January 2021 access_time 21:25
Would love to connect offline
17. January 2021 access_time 21:23
Diane
would love to connect offline
Any ideas how to?
08. July 2021 access_time 5:31
Hi Jeanette,
I would LOVE to connect off-line. Are you on Facebook? If you are, please send a friend request, if you would. (I didn’t have your last name, and I’m not sure if you go by your dad’s last name?) Thanks so much! Diane
08. July 2021 access_time 5:32
Hi Eric,
Love to connect offline. Are you on Facebook maybe?
19. February 2024 access_time 21:50
My name is Mark. I became very good friends with Captain Eldon Broman. According to him, the “Fritz Blitz” was hit by rockets fired by an ME-110 which was flying just out of machine gun range. The hits caused catastrophic fires, but Captain Broman was able to order his crew to bail out successfully.
Pilot Broman and his wife, Doris, retired to Heber Springs, Arkansas, and are buried here. He was a kind, generous man of faith. A true American hero and role model.
29. June 2024 access_time 9:55
Hi mark, Came across your comment! Eldon was my great uncle. Very nice comment of yours and from my experience with him and doris in my lifetime was very true to your comment. I have some items gifted to me when he passed away and an interview on CD that I go back and watch time to time. Wish i got to spend more time with him as I’m from where he grew up in Wisconsin and didn’t get to see him much as he lived in Arkansas. True American hero.
26. June 2019 access_time 23:56
I am the Niece of P Guiteras
Here are some reports: “The fighters were now hitting us with everything they had. Suddenly a B-17 that had been hit loomed over and in front of us. Our Pilot swung clear. We were then hit by flak or a rocket, setting our hydraulic and oxygen systems ablaze.”
They may have been hit by debris of another B-17
You must be son of Sgt Thomas Kelly?
10. October 2021 access_time 22:19
Eric,Diane,Marilea,Jeanette–I am Eric Michael Fowler son of Bill Fowler, navigator, Very interested in connecting via e-mail. My wif has done a lot of research on all this and written a book, THEY KEPT THEIR HUMANITY available on line.
20. October 2021 access_time 4:23
This is Jeanette
No longer on Facebook
My email is: jmfeen7@gmail.com
Please I would love to connect