zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-35-DL: 42-3189 to 42-3228
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 534th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: GD-G
MACR: 661
Missions: 9
History of
B-17 42-3227
Delivered Cheyenne 1/4/43; Presque Isle 25/5/43; Assigned 534BS/381BG [GD-G] Ridgewell 26/5/43. Pilot Hamden L. Forkner; Co-Pilot Joseph A. Kelly; Navigator Robert E. Hyatt; Bombardier Edwin L. Vincent (substitute for Keith Moore); Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Paul F. Shipe; Ball Turret Gunner Ralph E. Stease; Radio Operator Chester E. Shattuck; Left Waist Gunner Edward F. Sobolewski; Right Waist Gunner Harry H. Horton; Tail Gunner Lin F. Chew. Missing in Action 9missions Schweinfurt 17 August 1943. Forkner, Shipe, Sobolewski and Horton evaded capture; the six others were made Prisoners of War. 42-3227 was hit by enemy aircraft, crashed near Houthem, about 6km NE of Maastricht, Holland, The Netherlands. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 661.
Last updated: 10. March 2020
B-17 42-3227 Details
From MACR 661
Following is a statement made by 2nd Lt. Harold R. Nytinen, 534th BS; concerning Aircraft No. 42-3227.
On August 17, 1943 at approximately 1415 hours, while flying as Co-Pilot on aeroplane No. 42-3118, I saw a B-17F, serial No. 42-3227 go down as a result of an enemy fighter attack, which took place at 51°10’N and 5°0’E. His No. one (1) engine had a feathered propeller and his No. two (2) engine was on fire.
The entire crew bailed out with the aeroplane evidently on automatic flight control.
1st Lt. Hamden L. Forkner, pilot of the damaged aeroplane waved goodbye to 1st Lt. Charles O. Onl who was pilot of aeroplane No. 42-3078.
The objective of this raid was Schweinfurt, Germany.
B-17 42-3227 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Hamden Forkner | EVD | - |
| CP | 2LT | Joseph Kelly | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Robert Hyatt | POW | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Edwin Vincent | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Paul Shippe | EVD | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Chester Shattuck | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Ralph Stease | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Edward Sobolewski | EVD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Harry Horton | EVD | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Lin Foon Chew | POW | - |
15. May 2018 access_time 21:19
My granddad was the radio operator , looking for any pic’s of him , him and crew , and B-17 42-3227 … please , any help greatly appreciated …
24. January 2020 access_time 19:26
Hi – my grandfather was the Right Waist Gunner. Great story about those that evaded capture being hidden and smuggled out of Holland by the Dutch resistance. don’t have any pictures, but hoping you may have come across some in the meantime. Please share if so. Thanks!
11. July 2020 access_time 15:47
Hello, there exists a picture of Horton and Sobolewski together at their hiding address in Beek. I will look of up tot you. Best regards, Rob
11. January 2021 access_time 21:29
I live in Teuven, the place where the B17 with serial number 42-3227 crashed. And I’m looking for information and photos about the plane and its crew. Maybe you can help me with this.
thanks in advance
Mark Beckers
m-beckers@hotmail.com
23. February 2023 access_time 9:37
Ik woon in Teuven, de plek waar de B17 met serienummer 42-3227 crashte. En ik zoek informatie en foto’s over het vliegtuig en zijn bemanning. Misschien kunnen jullie mij hiermee helpen.
alvast bedankt
Mark Beckers
m-beckers@hotmail.com
02. August 2020 access_time 1:41
I’m pretty sure my grandfather is the waist gunner. Harry aka Harold Horton. I would like to see the picture you have of him.
11. January 2021 access_time 21:29
I live in Teuven, the place where the B17 with serial number 42-3227 crashed. And I’m looking for information and photos about the plane and its crew. Maybe you can help me with this.
thanks in advance
Mark Beckers
m-beckers@hotmail.com
20. February 2021 access_time 5:29
Hey Adam – Harry was my grandfather. He only had two children, Beth and David. You may be thinking of the wrong Harry Horton (Harry not Harold). Hope this helps.
Miles
19. March 2024 access_time 0:58
My father was Harry H Horton. He was from Asheville NC. He was called Harry.
18. August 2020 access_time 6:03
My grandfather was the co pilot. I’ll ask my father for any pictures he might have next time I’m home.
18. August 2020 access_time 8:04
Hello Thomas, thank you for your help!
20. February 2021 access_time 13:23
Thomas, my father was Harry who was on that plane if your grandfather is alive I’d love to talk to him. My dad died when I was young so I’ve never really heard much about how it was in England etc. please email me if we can discuss further.
14. November 2021 access_time 22:14
I live in Teuven, the place where the B17 with serial number 42-3227 crashed. And I’m looking for information and photos about the plane and its crew. Maybe you can help me with this.
thanks in advance
Mark Beckers
03. December 2023 access_time 22:15
I live in Teuven, the place where the B17 with serial number 42-3227 crashed. And I’m looking for information and photos about the plane and its crew. Maybe you can help me with this.
thanks in advance
Mark Beckers
11. January 2021 access_time 21:26
I live in Teuven, the place where the B17 with serial number 42-3227 crashed. And I’m looking for information and photos about the plane and its crew. Maybe you can help me with this.
thanks in advance
Mark Beckers
m-beckers@hotmail.com
14. April 2023 access_time 5:21
Paul F Shipe is my grandfather. If there are other grandkids, please share your stories
23. June 2023 access_time 10:46
Beste erik, Ik heb informatie over uw grootvader, stuur mij anders even een mail dan kan ik de gegevens door sturen, m-beckers@hotmail.com
22. October 2024 access_time 21:34
Dear all,
My great uncle and aunt helped in the escape of sobolewski.
More info you can find in the debriefing report of four crew members in the national archives:
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5554970
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5556822
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5554877
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5554971
Furthermore there is a video on YouTube:
Type in YouTube: B-17 42-3227
Hope this info helps.
Best regards,
Paul Mesters , Netherlands (from south Limburg , where the first parachutes came down).