Production-block:
B-17G-15-BO: 42-31332 to 42-31431
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 452nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 731st Bomb Squadron
MACR: 13886
History of
B-17 42-31366 / Old Outhouse – Never A Dry Run aka Snake Eyes
Delivered Cheyenne 25/10/43; Walla Walla 9/11/43; Assigned 731BS/452BG Deopham Green 3/1/44; Missing in Action Kaltenkirchen 7/4/45 with Dave Owens, Co-pilot: Jim Smouse, Navigator: Gene Ahrens, Bombardier: John Kennedy, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Phil Ellis, Radio Operator: Frank Rudinsky, Ball turret gunner: Don Phelps, Waist gunner: Bill Auferoth,Tail gunner: Marion Rodgers (9 Killed in Action); mid air coll with Me 109, crashed Stadthagen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 13886. OLD OUTHOUSE – NEVER A DRY RUN aka SNAKE EYES.
Last updated: 24. July 2023
B-17 42-31366 / Old Outhouse – Never A Dry Run aka Snake Eyes Details
Following statement obtained by S-2 Section, 452nd Bomb Group, at interrogation after return of mission:
Aircraft No. 42-31366 from the 452nd “A”, was crashed in the nose by a spinning ME-109 at about 1259 hours near 52°30″N – 09°20″E. Everything forward of the top turret disintegrated and what remained of the plane dove straight down. Three men fell out burning and 2 to 5 chutes were seen to open.
Source: MACR 13886
B-17 42-31366 / Old Outhouse – Never A Dry Run aka Snake Eyes Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | David L. Owens | KIA | - |
| CP | F/O | James I. Smouse, Jr. | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Gene F. Ahrens | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Philip G. Ellis | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Frank A. Rudinsky | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Donald V. Phelps | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | William D. Auferoth | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Marion F. Rodgers | KIA | - |
| TOG | T/SGT | John B. Kennedy, Jr. | KIA | - |
01. June 2021 access_time 2:09
I’m writing to find information on a Jim Smouse for a family friend. This says that Jim went missing in action. The Jim Smouse I knew new came home. He gave me is uniform and photo album. I do not remember a story of going missing. He was a great man. I wish I knew him better. He dead of cancer in 1986. The name is somewhat unique. It about has to be him. Do you have anymore information please? Great website. Thank you for your time.
24. July 2023 access_time 21:25
Hello David,
Jim Smouse in this crew was from Los Angeles, California. His full name was James I. Smouse, Jr. His Army Serial Number was T-4957.
Maybe this information is helpful for you.
Cheers
Jing
23. August 2024 access_time 19:56
You are sure, that we talk about the same Smouse? James I. Smouse was KIA on 7th April 1945. Previously buried north of Thören, Lower Saxony, close to the wracked aircraft. Now he rest at Ardennes American Cemetery Plot D Row 3 Grave 13.
01. October 2024 access_time 3:28
My uncle was Marion Rodgers,, the tail gunner in snake eyes. I have interviewed gunners in the plane next to snake eyes. I have interviews with German pilots on that mission to ram the B-17s. I have also been to the crash site in Germany. There was a priest and several German soldiers who buried the crew. I also have statements from civilians on the ground. The German pilot attacked from the rear high. He was attempting to ram the tail of the B-17. He missed, but came back up from underneath and rammed the aircraft in the nose. Snake eyes immediately went down in a spin. About 300 feet above the ground she levelled off, the tail broke away and she crashed into a large field surrounded by pine forests. There is a large oak tree in that field and the locals referred to it as such. All the crew were killed. In speaking with others that were previously in the crew,,, they described Smouse as a recent addition to the crew. He was from Los Angeles and been a drummer in a famously known big band. I have a lot more, but this should clear up your question on James Smouse