Source:
www.388bg.info
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-125-BO: 42-30832 to 42-30931 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 388th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 560th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | H |
| Fate: |
, Lost by mechanical fault (19 July 1944) |
| Missions: | 90 |
History of
B-17 42-30851 / Little Boy Blue
Delivered Cheyenne 7/8/43; Dalhart 17/8/43; Assigned 560BS/388BG [H] Knettishall 8/9/43; on assembly for Schweinfurt 19/7/44 with Walt Malaniak, Co-pilot: Aaron Brinkoeter, Navigator: Leo Ramos, Bombardier: Amos Force, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Morris Thomas, Radio Operator: Ron Grey, Ball turret gunner: John McClusky, Waist gunner: Bill Klemm (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Harry Hagerty,Tail gunner: Jim Bennett (2 Returned to Duty); supercharger malfunction upset other engine settings, crashed Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, Sfk. UK, Salvaged. LITTLE BOY BLUE.
B-17 42-30851 / Little Boy Blue Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Walter H. Malaniak | KIA | - |
| CP | F/O | Aaron L. Brinkoeter | KIA | - |
| NAV | F/O | Leo D. Ramos | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Amos L. Force | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Norris W. Thomas | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Ronald Grey | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | John McCluskey | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Harold V. Hagerty | RTD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | William W. Klemm Jr. | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | James M. Bennett | RTD | - |
This page was last updated on 17 May 2024
03. May 2022 access_time 0:58
That was not the original crew of the Little Boy Blue.
18. September 2023 access_time 1:42
no it wasn’t my father inlaw was the navigator on there
19. July 2024 access_time 19:57
Although it was an engine malfunction it was actually a mid air collision that caused the crash. After the engine problems the aircraft had fallen far behind its squadron. After balancing the engines the pilot climbed rapidly and unfortunately hit another aircraft. The aircraft crashed over a wide area with the main fuselage coming down onto a field in Thurston.
02. August 2025 access_time 23:33
Time Team just released an episode covering their attempt at excavating the remains of Little Boy Blue and hoping to recover the 3 bodies still unaccounted for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7o3fVYTafs