Source:
95thbg.org
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-35-BO: 42-31932 to 42-32116 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 95th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 334th Bomb Squadron, 336th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | BG-M, ET-B |
| Fate: |
, interned (25 February 1945) |
| Missions: | 75 |
History of
B-17 42-31989 / Black Magic
Delivered Cheyenne 13/1/44; Kearney 22/2/44; Grenier 25/2/44; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-M] Horham 27/2/44; 336BS [ET-B]; on return from mission landing gear would not lower and crash landed RAF Honington, Suffolk, with Harry Rivenbark, Co-pilot: cp-Boll Bohrer, Navigator: Alex Cochran, Bombardier: Lewis Mayo, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ken McGraw, Radio Operator: Tony Locicero, Ball turret gunner: Harry Chase, Waist gunner: John Friedman, Waist gunner: Tom Robertson,Tail gunner: John Gregovich (10 Returned to Duty); 75m, Missing in Action Munich 25/2/45. The pilotless aircraft flew on to crash landed Muswangen, on edge of Lake Baldegger, near Emmensee, Switz; 9INT; BLACK MAGIC (not painted on a/c).
B-17 42-31989 / Black Magic Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Karel Havlik | INT | - |
| CP | 2LT | Donald M. Johnston | INT | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Lloyd L. Brandborg | INT | - |
| BOMB | SGT | Robert H. Welsh | INT | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | John Maruk | INT | - |
| RO | SGT | Thomas R. Conry | INT | - |
| BT | SGT | George J. Hintz | INT | - |
| WG | SGT | Charles H. Jones | INT | - |
| TG | SGT | Wilbur I. Schraner | INT | - |
This page was last updated on 14 May 2019
24. October 2019 access_time 2:36
Unbelievable, I am the son of Robert h. Welsh, bombardier on black magic which crash landed in Switzerland. I always wanted to find more info on my dad’s plane and crew. Thank you a million times over.
Respectfully
Scott F. Welsh, TSgt, USAF (ret)
25. February 2022 access_time 0:44
I’m confused. A couple sources state it was a pilotless plane, yet 9 crewmen were interned. Where was the pilot? Did I miss something? All of them were heroes!! Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, C. Mignery, high school history teacher.
20. July 2023 access_time 22:15
https://95thbgdb.com/person/2833
Karel Havlik (P) information from the 95th BG Mems Fdn website;
Swiss interned a/c report #A-150.
20. July 2023 access_time 22:05
https://95thbgdb.com/person/7041
Robert M Welsh information from the 95th BG website
25. February 2020 access_time 21:32
Today is the 75th anniversary of the black magic incident. I am the nephew of George Hans the ball turret gunner. I visited the crash site in the villages were the crew bailed out. It was quite an interesting and emotional experience. The local folks I met who helped me find the crash site were absolutely incredible in many ways. I’m happy to share more info and contacts. I’ve also been in contact with John Maruk’s children who are interested to learn more also.
25. February 2020 access_time 21:37
George Hintz that is. Typo above.
His brother, my grandfather, was a P-47 Pilot killed in Italy in April 1945. I found that crash site and actually was part of excavating the crash site and recovering pilot and aircraft remains.
20. July 2023 access_time 22:10
https://95thbgdb.com/person/3020
George J Hintz (BTG) information from the 95th BG Mems Fdn website;
https://95thbgdb.com/person/4244
John Maruk (TTG) information from the 95th BG Mems Fdn website.
03. April 2023 access_time 1:36
42-31721 is Black Magic. Not sure if this one had another word in the name addition to black magic. You have 42-31721 with a picture of its nose art name on your site.
20. July 2023 access_time 22:31
nicknamed Black Magic but name not on a/c; Pilot K Havlik’s (and crew’s) 1st mission from Horham, Station 119, 95th BG