Source:
www.fold3.com
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-5-BO: 42-31132 to 42-31231 |
| Delievered: | Dallas |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 385th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 551st Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | HR-Y |
| MACR | 4454 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (29 April 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-31174 / Spirit of Chicago
Delivered Dallas 27/9/43; Gr Island 19/10/43; Long Beach 28/11/43; Assigned: 551BS/385BG [HR-Y] Gt Ashfield 5/12/43; MIA Berlin 29/4/44 Pilot: Francis Hart, Co-Pilot: Carl Connell, Navigator: Jim Hastings, Bombardier: Bob Hunt, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: John Leonard, Radio Operator: Anatole Briant, Ball Turret Gunner: Lowell Birdwell, Waist Gunner: Roy Modglin, Waist Gunner: Bill Jackson (9POW); Tail Gunner: John Neely (KIA-died in hospital 4/5/44 probably from gun shots in the attack), crashed Hartz Mountains at Eckertal, near Bad Harzburg, Germany. MACR 4454. SPIRIT OF CHICAGO.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-31174 / Spirit of Chicago Details
Aircraft 42-31174 was attacked by enemy fighters in the area of Magdeburg, Germany. Both wings of this aircraft caught fire and the ship ultimately exploded. No chutes wrecked seen to leave this aircraft. Due to the rapidity and continuity of the enemy aircraft, the details surrounding the loss of this aircraft and other aircraft lost by this group on this date are very few.
Source: MACR 4454
B-17 42-31174 / Spirit of Chicago Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Francis J. Hart | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Carl M. Connell | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | James I. Hastings | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Robert H. Hunt | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | John W. Leonard | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Anatole A. Briant | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Lowell T. Birdwell | POW | - |
| WG | T/SGT | Roy W. Modglin | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | William C. Jackson | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | John C. Neely | KIA | died in hospital |
This page was last updated on 29 January 2026
19. November 2021 access_time 16:43
Carl Connell was my great uncle. I love finding pics of him! Thanks for sharing!
13. June 2024 access_time 4:36
Carl or Mike as we called him was my Great Uncle too. He married my Great Aunt after the war.
21. November 2023 access_time 6:00
My father was the bombardier on the Spirit of Chicago, which was shot down on his 29th major mission near Berlin on 4/29/44. He was a POW at Stalag Luft III in Sagan before enduring the “March of Death” in Jan/Feb 1945 to Stalag XIII in Nurnberg. in early April he would endure another forced march to Stalag VII in Moosburg. My father would be liberated, ironically, on the one year anniversary ofbeing shot down, April 29, 1945 by Gen. Patton of the 3rd army and Col Lamb of the 7th army. My father never talked much about his POW experience unless he was with other POW’s. He died in a car accident in 1973. I’m interested in learning about the fate of the other crew members although I already know about the pilot and tail gunner. This is my first attempt at researching this history. As my father’s last surviving child, I am in possession of his footlocker which was shipped back to my grandfather with big white letters MIA painted on the side. Inside is a journal of his time as a POW as well as a Red Cross Wartime Log consisting of some incredible sketches of airplanes and prison camp scenery drawn by my father and other POW’s. This stuff belongs in a museum! Any info would be greatly appreciated.
15. June 2024 access_time 4:09
Hi Steve, my father was the navigator on this plane, and likely sat right next to your dad.
If you read this, please feel free to contact me. Let’s share our knowledge and stories.
20. November 2024 access_time 19:03
My grandfather was Carl Connell. We should all talk.
20. November 2024 access_time 19:02
Carl Connell was my grandfather. He also kept an amazing journal. He survived prison camp and went on to serve in Vietnam as well. He did in his 90s.
It would be very interesting for us to connect.
25. January 2025 access_time 13:44
Mr. Hunt,
I had the honor of knowing pilot Joe Hart for many years. There were many stories told, and he spoke often and with pride of his crew in that last fight. Perhaps ironically, I have reason to believe my great uncle, Gerald Simmons, was KIA liberating the Mooseburg camp. Please accept my humble gratitude for your father’s service. There will never be another generation quite like theirs.
20. November 2024 access_time 18:59
Carl Connell was my grandfather. He survived prison camp and lived into his 90s.
02. April 2025 access_time 3:58
Hi everyone, I was looking thru old paperwork and found a missive my father wrote about this crew and their experiences. I would like to upload his comments along with a picture of the complete crew with all their names. Can someone let me know how I may share this info?