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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-120-BO: 42-30732 to 42-30831
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 388th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 563rd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: P
MACR: 3137 / KSU/ME/KU: 403
Missions: 8
History of
B-17 42-30789 / Flak Suit aka Butcher Boy
Delivered Cheyenne 28/7/43; Dyersburg 7/8/43; Assigned: 563BS/388BG Knettishall 3/9/43; MIA Gelsenkirchen 5/11/43 Pilot: Bill Bramwell, Co-Pilot: Bill Current, Navigator: Chas Smith, Waist Gunner: Les Meader, Ball Turret Gunner: Joe Sage (5POW); Bombardier: John Maiorca, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: H.C. Johnson, Waist Gunner: George Watt (3EVD); Radio Operator: Albertus Harrenstein{found in wreckage}, Tail Gunner: John Craig (2KIA); flak, crashed Lokeren, Belgium. MACR 3137. FLAK SUIT.
Last updated: 10. April 2021
B-17 42-30789 / Flak Suit aka Butcher Boy Details
A/C #789 was hit in the #1 engine just before target, pulled out of formation to the right, and dropped its bombs. When last seen at approximately 1335 the #1 prop was feathered and a fire in the engine was being fought as the plane dropped further back and down.
Source: MACR 3137
B-17 42-30789 / Flak Suit aka Butcher Boy Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | William John Bramwell Jr. | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | William Emerson Current | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Charles Leland Smith | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | John J. Maiorca | EVD | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Hank C. Johnson | EVD | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Albertus Harrenstein | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Joseph Alexander Sage | POW | - |
| WG | T/SGT | George Watt | EVD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Leslie Earl (Gus) Meader | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | John Merritt Craig | KIA | - |
10. December 2023 access_time 7:07
I am a cousin of John Craig who was killed on “Flak Suit” November 5,1943. This website says the plane crashed in Lokeren. The form 14 document shows his body was “..returned from Neuville-En Condrez-Liege.” So do I assume his body was exhumed in Lokeren, then sent to Neuville to come back to the US? Thanks