| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-125-BO: 42-30832 to 42-30931 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 100th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 350th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | LN-O |
| MACR | 951 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | 290 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (08 October 1943) |
History of
B-17 42-30840
Delivered Cheyenne 5/8/43; Gr Isle 13/8/43; Assigned 350BS/100BG [LN-O] Thorpe Abbotts 25/8/43; Missing in Action Bremen 8/10/43 with Herb Nash, Co-pilot: Bob Spears, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Pat Neilon, Radio Operator: Tom Dilts,Tail gunner: Joe Bost (5 Killed in Action); Navigator: John Hart, Bombardier: Verne Hogsett, Ball turret gunner: Thad Kirkpatrick, Waist gunner: George Snyder, Waist gunner: Stan Nowakowski (5 Prisoner of War); severe flak damage, crashed near Oerdinghausen, nine miles W of Hoya, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 951.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-30840 Details
Hogsett (Lt Vernon N. Hogsett) stated after the war, “The engineer (S/Sgt Patrick J. Neilon) and I landed a small pond in a farmyard. With the assistance of German civilians I got Neilon to shore. He complained greatly of back injury, which I believe was caused when bailing out of the plane. There was no external injuries. I pleaded with the Germans to bring a doctor, but I do not believe they understood me. Sgt Neilon lost consciousness immediately and I firmly believe he died before the German Officer in charge took me away with the rest of the crew members.
Source: MACR 951
B-17 42-30840 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Herbert G. Nash Jr. | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert E. Spears | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | John P.Hart | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Vernon N. Hogsett | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Patrick J. Neilon | KIA | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Thomas B. Dilts | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Thaddeus L.Kirkpatrick | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Georg D. Snyder | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Stanley Nowakowski | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Joe Bost | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 23 February 2020
21. February 2023 access_time 20:14
Thank you for posting this page it is much appreciated. The CP was my uncle and his last name was Speas not Spears. thanks
23. February 2024 access_time 22:51
Hi Lewis, I have a few old photos of from my grandfather of two guys in the snow at what looks to be Thorpe Abbots. Being the CP, I’m not sure if either one is your uncle, but I’m happy to scan the photos and share.
I’ve seen a photo of this crew in front of their plane, but I can’t seem to locate that photo.
07. March 2023 access_time 2:46
My grandfather was George Snyder. Thank you for posting.