Production-block:
B-17F-35-DL: 42-3189 to 42-3228
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 535th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: MS-M
MACR: 384 / KSU/ME/KU: 33
Missions: 9+
History of
B-17 42-3220 / Damfino
Delivered Cheyenne 1/4/43; Dow Fd 23/5/43; Assigned 535BS/381BG [MS-M] Ridgewell 28/5/43 with Harry Smith, Sam Hawkins, John Noonan, Lloyd Gwinn, Harry Blake, Judd Lischke, Tony Sylvester, John Jupin, John Elsberry, Julius Cosby; Missing in Action 9+m Schweinfurt 17/8/43 with Harry Smith, Co-pilot: Sam Hawkins, Navigator: John Noonan, Bombardier: Lloyd Gwinn, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Judd Lischke, Radio Operator: Tony Sylvester, Ball turret gunner: John Jupin, Waist gunner: Harry Blake, Waist gunner: John Elsberry,Tail gunner: Bob Colborn (10 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Marksteinach, five miles E of Schweinfurt, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 384. DAMFINO.
Last updated: 20. May 2020
B-17 42-3220 / Damfino Details
Transcriptions from MACR 384
42-3220 went down at 49°50’N – 07°20’E during a fighter attack. Still under control with one engine feathered. Time 1425. Another ship reported this A/C had a broken windshield before target and that ten minutes before target one chute came out. After target was flying along level when went into a spin.
Don S. Williams
1Lt., A.C.
381st Bomb Group (H) Hdq.
B-17 42-3220 / Damfino Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Harry M. Smith | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Samuel J. Hawkins | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | John P. Noonan | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Lloyd W. Gwinn | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Judd O. Lischke | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Tony A. Sylvester | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | John Jupin | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Harold L. Blanke | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John V. Elsberry, Jr. | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Robert L. Colburn | POW | - |
29. August 2018 access_time 11:22
My Dad was John Elsberry – the waist gunner on Damfino. As the 75th anniversary of him, and his fellow crew members, being shot down just recently passed … I was certainly thinking of both him and them. Many thanks to them all.
07. September 2019 access_time 17:41
My dad was SSgt Harold (Harry) Blake.
I’d really love it if anyone has any information on him. He was a POW in stalag 17 for 18 months, until he was liberated.
He never talked much about those days.
14. November 2019 access_time 1:24
Hello Jennifer,
Harold Blake was my great Uncle on my Dad’s side. I met him once a little while after high school. He seemed like a great man, as were most of his generation. I’ve been looking to find out more information about him as well. I wish you luck in your search,
Steve Goodwin
08. April 2020 access_time 12:20
Hello everyone.
My name is Hannes Stetten.
I am a member of a historical association.
My area of interest is the history of World War 2, especially the air war in my hometown Schweinfurt.
I was able to find out some information about the Boeing B17 42-3220 Damfino. Me and my friends have also spoken to eyewitnesses who saw the plane crash.
I would be very happy to get in contact with relatives of the flight crew
my email address is hannes.stetten1993@web.de
best regards
Hannes Stetten
11. November 2022 access_time 17:56
I worked with John Elsberry at Vans aircraft.
I was young and played in a band.
John and his friend would come watch us play, and would dance for many songs.
He was one of the nicest men I’ve ever met.
I was at his funeral when Vans crew flew the missing man formation.
I think of John often.