Production-block:
B-17F-100-BO: 42-30332 to 42-30431
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 96th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 413th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: MZ-P
MACR: 1017
History of
B-17 42-30372 / Shack Rabbit III
Delivered Cheyenne 24/5/43; Gore 25/5/43; Gr Isle 4/6/43; Dow Fd 27/6/43; Assigned: 413BS/96BG [MZ-P] Snetterton 26/6/43; MIA Duren 20/10/43 Pilot: Robert Zane Grimes, Navigator: James D. McElroy, Bombardier: Charles W. Carlson; Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Theodore Ralph Kellers, Ball Turret Gunner: Robert William Metlen, Waist Gunner: Harold T. Sheets (6 EVD); Co-Pilot: Arthur Charles Pickett, Radio Operator: Frederick William McManus, Waist Gunner: Jerome Chester Nawracaj, Tail Gunner: George C. Janser (4KIA); Enemy aircraft, crashed two miles E of Blaton, 12 miles NE of Mons,, Belgium. MACR 1017. SHACK RABBIT II.
Last updated: 15. June 2024
B-17 42-30372 / Shack Rabbit III Details
B-17 42-30372 / Shack Rabbit III Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Robert Zane Grimes | EVD | - |
| CP | 2LT | Arthur Charles Pickett | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | James D. McElroy | EVD | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Charles W. Carlson | EVD | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Theodore Ralph Kellers | EVD/POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Frederick William McManus | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Robert William Metlen | EVD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Jerome Chester Nawracaj | KIA | killed by a German patrol, trying to escape on a bicycle |
| WG | S/SGT | Harold T. Sheets | EVD | - |
| TG | S/SGT | George C. Janser | KIA | - |
02. February 2020 access_time 17:25
The Shack Rabbit III was shot down on 20 October 1943. It is very well described in the book “The Freedom Line” by Peter Eisner. But this is not the reason for contacting you. I am investigating the Shack Bunny which crashed on the same day in the Netherlands. Curious where the crew was arrested. One member (Chester Lisiewski) evaded and got in touch with the Comet Line. He was arrested in Jan. 44 in Paris at a hide-out place of the escape line. Do you hold any data on this crew member?
Regards
Har Gootzen, Op de Baant 4, 6112 BA Sint Joost, NL
02. February 2020 access_time 17:36
Hello Har,
here what I found about Chester Lisiewski.
S/Sgt Chester A. Lisiewski from Wisconsin, serial number 36219876, Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde)
And here is the B-17:
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-5913-shack-bunny/
10. April 2024 access_time 7:44
The comete line has collected many of the men they helped evade stories. It is in french but google should translate just fine. https://www.evasioncomete.be/flisiewca.html
If the link doesn’t work right just go to https://www.evasioncomete.be Hit enter. Then select fiches. You then can find him alphabetically by last name.
25. March 2020 access_time 2:28
The bombardier was named Charles not Chas.
10. April 2021 access_time 20:31
Co-pilot Art Pickett was killed during the crash and his body was found in different Belgium village to where my photo of the actual memorial site was taken. I provide the link and I can drive to the village where the plaque is if needed.
01. December 2022 access_time 21:11
la suite de l histoire de Chester Lisiewski est écrite ici
http://www.cometeline.org/ficheC160.html