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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-30-BO 42-31732 to 42-31931
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 452nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 731st Bomb Squadron
MACR: 15214
History of
B-17 42-31919 / Evanton Babe
Delivered Denver 4/1/44; Kearney 13/1/44; Grenier 25/1/44; Assigned 452BG Deopham Green 4/2/44; battle damaged Berlin 6/3/44 with Bob Schimmel (Returned to Duty); Co-pilot: Tom Mahalovich, Navigator: Hernry Orberg, Radio Operator: Gil Westervelt, brg-Bob Fioeld, Waist gunner: Harry Burgess, Waist gunner: Bill Schaffitzel,Tail gunner: Pat King (7 Prisoner of War); Bombardier: Walt Ziegele (KIA- chute failed); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Elsberry (evaded capture); enemy aircraft attack KOd #4 & crew bailed out, ship crash landed Metfield A/fd, Sfk; Salvaged 8/3/44. EVANTON BABE.
Last updated: 18. September 2020
B-17 42-31919 / Evanton Babe Details
Pilot’s statement to the incident
Aircraft was attacked by Me 109s and No. 4 engine began to burn intensely — feathered prop and fire kept burning. Due to imminent danger of explosion crew was told to bail out — No. 4 engine and nacelle then fell off.
2Lt. Robert C. Schimmel
Source: MACR 15214
B-17 42-31919 / Evanton Babe Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Robert C. Schimmel | RTD | - |
| CP | 2LT | Thomas V. Mahalovich | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Henry E. Orberg | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Walter J. Ziegele | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | William E. Elsberry | EVD | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Gilbert J. Westervelt | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Robert N. Field | POW | - |
| WG | PVT | Harry F. Burgess | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Bill G. Schaffitzel | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Patrick J. King | POW | - |
31. May 2022 access_time 5:14
My father was the navigator on this plane when it had to land at Evanton, Scotland. Robert Schimmel had wanted to be a fighter pilot. I have all kinds of stories about my Dad and Schimmel. Schimmel was interned in Sweden and my Dad POW at Stalg Luft III, famous for The Great Escape.
31. May 2022 access_time 5:27
His name was Charles J Mueller. He was assigned to a different crew after their landing in Evanton. He picked Schimmel up after Schimmel had his crew bail out after the engine started on fire and he landed safely back in England(?) and my Dad went and picked him up. Scimmel said that he won’t fly again. The next time he went up, he took the plane and crew to Sweden. My Dad went on to Berlin and was shot down in Germany and became a POW. He never saw Scimmel again….