Production-block:
B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 323rd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: OR-B
MACR: 3221
History of
B-17 42-31585 / Mount N‘ Ride
Delivered Cheyenne 26/11/43; Paine 28/11/43; Gt Falls 5/12/32; Cheyenne 7/12/43; Kearney 16/12/43; Oklahoma City 7/1/44; Kearney 12/1/44; Romulus 17/1/44; Grenier 18/1/44; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-B] Bassingbourne 1/2/44; Missing in Action Augsburg 16/3/44 with Doye Bradford, Co-pilot: Bob Mersereau, Navigator: Alby Trendell, Bombardier: Jack Athearn, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Hobart Peterson, Radio Operator: Norman Bunin, Ball turret gunner: Bob Modell, Waist gunner: Lucian Wright, Waist gunner: Nick Merletti,Tail gunner: Malcolm Bradt (10INT); flak KO’d #2 & #3, dropped behind and, force landed Dubendorf, Switz; Missing Air Crew Report 3221. Ret Burtonwood, UK. Salvaged 8/10/45. MOUNT ‘N RIDE.
Last updated: 28. February 2021
B-17 42-31585 / Mount N‘ Ride Details
Aircraft B-17G, 42-31585, at 1155 hours, 4754 N. – 1025 E, 19000 feet, had two (2) engines feathered and fell back out of formation, dropped its bombs and returned to formation. It then fell back out of formation again and turning south headed for Switzerland.
Source: MACR 3221
B-17 42-31585 / Mount N‘ Ride Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | 1LT | Doyle E. Bradford | INT | - |
CP | 1LT | Robert C. Mersereau | INT | - |
NAV | 2LT | Albert T. Trendell | INT | - |
BOMB | 2LT | Jack M. Athearn | INT | - |
ENG/TT | T/SGT | Hobart P. Peterson | INT | - |
RO | T/SGT | Norman H. Bunin | INT | - |
BT | S/SGT | Robert L. Modell | INT | - |
WG | S/SGT | Lucian Wright | INT | - |
WG | S/SGT | Nicholas P. Merletti | INT | - |
TG | S/SGT | Malcom E. Brandt | INT | - |
14. November 2021 access_time 6:53
The radioman, Norman Bunin, was my 2nd cousin. His father was my maternal G’mas brother. His brother, Irwin, was in the infantry and KIA in Germany after D-Day. Younger brother,Sheldon, now mid 80’s, is still alive (2021) and living in Queens, NY. Knows the story of how they safely fled Switzerland to get back to American lines. Met the pilot when he paid a condolence call after Norman died post war.
23. August 2022 access_time 3:45
My dad, Hobart Peterson, was on this crew. It’s amazing what you can find on the internet. My dad would have loved seeing this!
23. August 2022 access_time 10:32
Thank you! 🙂
02. September 2022 access_time 9:34
I would love to know how they fled Switzerland. Wasn’t It their third attempt? My dad said they were in 13 jails and one prison.
22. September 2022 access_time 23:01
Malcom Brandt, the tail gunner, was my father-in-law.
17. April 2023 access_time 1:25
Norman Bunin was my grandfather. He died before I was born, but my Dad told me stories of him until he passed away in 2001. I wish I had been old enough to understand the magnitude and ask the kinds of questions I would now.
24. February 2024 access_time 18:04
I am a second cousin to Norman.We lived in Jackson Heights,Queens.G’mother a Bunin.Norman used to lift me in the air (Iwas 5 or 6 yo).Where do you live.I am 88-living in WA state.Retired ENT.Remember Sheldon Bunin-my brother was also a Sheldon (deceased)
08. December 2023 access_time 5:05
My father’s cousin was Lucian Wright, engineer on Mount N Ride. I heard a story of the plane landing at an RAF base and the nose art was deemed too risqué, base officials were demanding it be covered up.
27. January 2024 access_time 15:20
My great uncle was Bob Mersereau, would anyone family members of crew members have photos of crew and don’t have any of him whilst serving, would love to hear as my stories also thanks from over the pond in UK