Source:
https://390th.org
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-45-DL: 42-3284 to 42-3338 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 390th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 570th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | DI-K |
| MACR | 14417 & 5927 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | 838A |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (22 June 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-3312
Delivered Cheyenne 5/5/43; Dow Fd 13/7/43; Assigned 570BS/390BG [DI-K] Framlingham 14/7/43. On Duren mission 20/10/43 with Charles Swafford , Lts. Gene Corbin & Clarry Cobb, Sgts. Lambert Geerlings & Harry Daniels all bailed but were KIA, (possibly fired on while in chutes) however the plane returned. (MACR 14417) Missing in Action Huls 22/6/44 with Jim Bonner, Co-pilot: Leon Schapiro, Navigator: Dean JensenWounded in Action, Bombardier: Gene Friedman, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bob Knobel, Ball turret gunner: Bob Rhoades, Waist gunner: Albt Gregoris, Waist gunner: Jim Grant,Tail gunner: Elvin Clinkenbeard (9 Prisoner of War); Radio Operator: Lowry Kelley (Killed in Action). Flak KO’d engine, crashed La Sablonniere, near Dreux, near Chartres, France. (Missing Air Crew Report 5927). SEQUATCHIEE.
B-17 42-3312 Details
Extract from S-2 Mission Report Regarding B-17F 42-3312
After bombs away, at 1900 hours near and just north of Paris at about 25000 feet, aircraft #312 flying #2 position lead squadron, 390th Group, observed to peel out of formation. #312 flew out to the right of formation, lost altitude, and then passed beneath formation. No fire, smoke or apparent distress seen. Aircraft #312 was under control when last seen heading south with all 4 (four) engines running. No chutes seen.
About time #312 peeled out of formation, intense accurate flak encountered by 390th Group, and crews believe #312 damaged by flak. One crew reported aircraft #312 after leaving formation near Paris with one engine feathered, “hit the deck”.
Source: MACR 5927
B-17 42-3312 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | James A. Bonner | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Leon Schapiro | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Dean W. Jensen | POW | - |
| BOMB | F/O | Gene A. Friedman | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Robert P. Knebel | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Lowry E. Kelley | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Robert C. Rhoades | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Albert E. Gragoris | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | James F. Grant | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Elvin E. Clinkenbeard | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 28 September 2025
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