| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-35-BO: 42-31932 to 42-32116 |
| Delievered: | Denver |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 96th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 339th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | QJ-R |
| MACR: | 7411 |
| German Document: | KU-2548 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (19 July 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-32045 / Silver Slipper
Delivered Denver 19/1/44; Cheyenne 25/1/44; Omaha 3/2/44; Hunter 15/2/44; Grenier 13/3/44; Assigned: 339BS/96BGB [QJ-R] Snetterton 21/3/44; MIA Schweinfurt 19/7/44 Pilot: Chas Quinby, Co-Pilot: Herb Jackson, Navigator: Bruce Bockstanz, Bombardier: Joe Bernstein, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Joe Duplechain, Radio Operator: John Jones, Ball Turret Gunner: Paul Hulton, Waist Gunner: Norman Christian, Waist Gunner: Walt Finnegan, Tail Gunner: Art Schwaiger (10POW); flak, crashed Reil near Koblenz, Germany. MACR 7411. SILVER SLIPPER.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-32045 / Silver Slipper Details
Aircraft fell back right after Rally Point with 2 engines out and both windmilling. Last seen near Frankfurt losing altitude with fighter escort.
Source: MACR 7411
B-17 42-32045 / Silver Slipper Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Charles E. Quinby | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Herbert R. Jackson | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Bruce K. Bockstanz | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Joseph Bernstein | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Joseph E. Duplechain | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | John L. Jones | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Arthur J. Schwaiger | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Paul F. Nulton, Jr. | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Norman F. Christian | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Walter J. Finnegan | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 29 April 2026
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14. April 2020 access_time 17:43
Bruce Bockstanz, Navigator, was my father. Dad made contact with an eyewitness to the crash of the Silver Slipper, near Reil Germany. Photos available.
10. January 2021 access_time 2:16
Hey David. Norman Christian, the right waist gunner for the Silver Slipper, was my grandfather. Let’s get in touch because I know I have several photos of your father and I’m sure we have plenty of information to swap. Hope to hear from you soon!
22. August 2021 access_time 14:31
Contact me at daveb700@yahoo.com
14. November 2022 access_time 16:50
Hi Dave and Ryan. My grandfather was the co-pilot to the silver slipper. Do you happen to have any photos or info from their time together?
10. September 2023 access_time 15:22
Hey Jim email me at arubalime@cox.net and I will send you over some stuff if someone hasn’t already. Sorry for the delay.
19. February 2024 access_time 13:43
Silver Slipper in Manston to repair battle damage. Dad’s crew were assigned to the ‘war weary’ aircraft in July, 1944. It did not survive the month. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205363994
11. October 2024 access_time 12:36
My Dad, Arthur J. Schwaiger was Ball Turret Gunner on July 19,1944 when the Silver Slipper was shot down. Pilot, Charles Qimby saved his life by stabilizing the plane so my father could get his parachute on, you can’t wear a parachute in the ball turret.
07. August 2025 access_time 19:19
Gary – Your Dad sent this account of the crash of the Silver Slipper to my Dad several years ago
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/064EXWp2492JUXWvdg-WDWRnw#Crash_Site_Sketch
07. August 2025 access_time 19:24
Quincy account from the old merkki.com mentions your Dad
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/09aiuioJKxwXCTORmhI4GX9FA#The_Last_Flight_of_the_Silver_Slipper_by_a_World_War_II_B-17_pilot.merkki