| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-20-DL: 42-3039 to 42-3073 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 91st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 324th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | DF-Z |
| MACR | 4438 (4633?) |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (21 May 1943) |
History of
B-17 42-3053 / Desperate Journey
Delivered Cheyenne 19/1/43; Assigned 324BS/91BG [DF-Z] Morrison 5/3/43; Bassingbourn 25/3/43; Missing in Action Wilhelmshafen 21/5/43 with Norbert Koll, Co-pilot: Wayne Buck, Bombardier: Edwin Bruton, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Albert Zaverl, Radio Operator: Alfredo Davila, Waist gunner: Elwyn Roberts, Waist gunner: Guy Wyatt,Tail gunner: Bill Caligan (8 Killed in Action); Navigator: Joe Ferry, Ball turret gunner: Bob Abt (2 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft set ship afire, crashed Hogebarg, near Wittmundenhafen, W of Wilhelmshafen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 4438 (4633?). DESPERATE JOURNEY.
B-17 42-3053 / Desperate Journey Details
The B-17 #42-3053 Desperate Journey flew most of its missions along side the Memphis Belle.
I was Ball Turret Gunner on my first trip with this crew and didn’t known their names or residences too well. Enemy fighters set our plane in flames. We were going to crash land, but at 1000 feet the plane began to crack and two of us managed to bail to safely.
S/Sgt. Robert J. Abt
Source: MACR 4438
B-17 42-3053 / Desperate Journey Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Norbert D. Koll | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Wayne L. Buck | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Joseph H. F. Ferry | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Edwin M. Bruton | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Albert W. Zaverl | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Alfredo L. Davila | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Robert J. Abt | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Guy P. Wyatt | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Elwin J. Roberts | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | William L. Caligan, Jr. | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 21 May 2025
08. June 2023 access_time 19:48
My Great Uncle was Guy Wyatt and was KIA aboard “Desperate Journey” never knew any info about him until I started researching Today. I am so honored to say he is My great uncle. Rest In Peace Uncle Guy