zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-35-BO: 42-31932 to 42-32116
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 452nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 728th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 3488
History of
B-17 42-32082 / The Passionate Witch II
Delivered Cheyenne 22/1/44; Billings 25/1/44; Cheyenne 30/1/44; Kearney 11/2/44; Presque Is 28/2/44; Assigned 728BS/452BG Deopham Green 3/3/43; with Bob Cook, force landed English base 20/3/44 (10 Returned to Duty); Missing in Action Berlin 28/3/44 with Bob Cook, Radio Operator: George Silva,Tail gunner: John McLaughlin (severely wia, died in hospital next day) (3 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Ron Casey, Navigator: John Osswalt, Bombardier: John Rowland, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gerald Poplett, Ball turret gunner: Carl Blichmann, Waist gunner: Fremont Granade, Waist gunner: Dick Thayer (7 Killed in Action); flak hit #4 gas tank, the right wing broke off and it spun in to crashed near Chateaudun A/fd, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 3488. PASSIONATE WITCH II.
Last updated: 3. April 2025
B-17 42-32082 / The Passionate Witch II Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Robert N. Cook | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Ronald J. Casey | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | John F. Osswalt | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | John A. Rowland | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Gerald H. Poplett | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | George A. Silva | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Carl H. Blichmann | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Richard J. Thayer | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Fremont Granade | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | John C. McLaughlin | POW | DOW next day |
08. December 2021 access_time 13:10
My uncle was Carl H. “Herbie” Blichmann. I would very much appreciate it, if you would correct his name.
His crew and the crew of Kickapoo Joy Juice were honored with a stele by the city of Châteadun, France in Aug 2015. It is on permanent display at Kellerman Barracks.
08. December 2021 access_time 15:36
Thank you for the information. I have corrected his name.
09. December 2021 access_time 2:01
Thank you so much! If you are interested in any of crew member photos, I am happy to send them.
14. December 2024 access_time 23:13
Julie: Hello Julie, I am a family member of John McLaughlin that flew in the Passionate Witch. He was a gunner. I see of this site it says you may have pictures? Can you forward them to me please and thank you? My grandmother was engaged to John when he passed away at war. She then married his brother, my grandfather, Edward McLaughlin. She also had his body moved back to the states. I am trying to find photos of the plane and John for my mother and her sisters. Thank you for any help.
15. December 2024 access_time 18:15
Hello Jennifer,
I uploaded an image of the crew at this site:
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/aircraft/42-32082
There is some info on him here. Be advised that the image of the nose art of the plane, is incorrect.
https://dvrbs.camdenhistory.com/monuments/haddonheights/haddonheightsww2-johncmclaughlin.htm
Here is a memorial page that includes a photo of your grandfather.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93577322/john-c-mclaughlin
There is a memorial plaque at Kellerman Barracks in Châteaudun, France. Here are the GPS coordinates if you ever want to see it in person.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cx8Zt1UbMCyamG6Y9
The location of the plane crash is here:
https://goo.gl/maps/2K5TAhfhDM1NB9Rh6
Let me know if you need anything else.
Regards,
Julie