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.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
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
Write comment