| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-100-BO: 42-30332 to 42-30431 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 95th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 412th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | QW-R |
| MACR | 850 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (09 October 1943) |
| Missions: | 18 |
History of
B-17 42-30377 / Rodger the Lodger II
Delivered: Cheyenne 21/5/43; Gore 25/5/43; Gr Isle 4/6/43; Dow Fd 27/6/43; Assigned: 412BS/95BG [QW-R] Horham 12/7/43; MIA (18m) Marienburg 9/10/43 Pilot: Ralph Eherts, Co-Pilot: John Burdick, Navigator: John Nelson, Bombardier: Bob Wing, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Grant Allen, Radio Operator: Bill Piispanen, Ball Turret Gunner: Lew Rabinowitz, Waist Gunner: Walter Queen, Waist Gunner: Ralph Bates, Tail Gunner: Jim Anderson (10KIA, seven baled but two chutes on fire, the other perished in the water); Enemy aircraft KOd #2 then another KOd #3 exploded mid air, crashed North Sea, NW of Heligoland; MACR 850. ROGER THE LODGER II.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-30377 / Rodger the Lodger II Details
B-17F 42-30377 piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph W. Eherts was last seen on the return trip from the target at 1600 at 54°45’N – 06°29’E with Number 2 engine afire caused by enemy fighters. Five chutes were seen leaving the ship before aircraft exploded, broke up and fell into the water.
This aircraft blew up within minutes after this photo was taken.
B-17 42-30377 / Rodger the Lodger II Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Ralph W. Eherts | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | John C. Burdick | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | John G. Nelson | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Robert D. Wing | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Grant E. Allen | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | William E. Piispanen | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Ralph T. Bates | KIA | - |
| WG | T/SGT | Walter H. Queen | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Louis Rabinowitz | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | James R. Anderson | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 22 May 2020
01. April 2024 access_time 23:57
Ralph T Bates, was my uncle