
Production-block:
B-17G-10-DL: 42-37721 to 42-37803
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 95th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 334th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: BG-F
MACR: 1702
History of
B-17 42-37766 / Princess Pat
Delivered Denver 25/8/43; Scott 30/9/43; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-F] Horham 13/10/43; with J.W. Hargrove force landed Snetterton Heath 16/11/43; (10m), Missing in Action Munster 22/12/43 with Maurice Mangis, Co-pilot: Don Lembeke, Waist gunner: Jack Short, Waist gunner: Bill McMaster (4 Killed in Action); Navigator: Ernie Bennett, Bombardier: Leon Celnusnak, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Tracy, Ball turret gunner: Dale Aldrich,Tail gunner: Anton Svoboda (5 Prisoner of War); Radio Operator: Dick Dabney (evaded capture); enemy aircraft, crashed Lageveen, Zuidwolde, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 1702. PRINCESS PAT.
Last updated: 11. February 2018
B-17 42-37766 / Princess Pat Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | 2LT | Maurice W. Mangis | KIA | - |
CP | 2LT | Donald F. Lembcke | KIA | - |
NAV | 2LT | Ernest J. Bennett | EVD/POW | - |
BOMB | 2LT | Leonard J. Celusnak | POW | - |
ENG/TT | S/SGT | William R. Tracy | POW | - |
RO | S/SGT | Richard C. Dabney | EVD/POW | - |
BT | SGT | Dale W. Aldrich | POW | - |
WG | SGT | William H. McMaster | KIA | - |
WG | SGT | Jack B. Short | KIA | - |
TG | SGT | Anton Svoboda | POW | - |
05. May 2024 access_time 14:38
Took my sons down the the war memorial in Bay City, MI. Showed them that my name was on the memorial. Waist gunner Jack Short was my great uncle. I didn’t know a whole lot of the history behind him. I was told he was in the Air Force and shot down in the war. My only living uncle informed me that I was named after him. Looking into the event has been a real eye opener. A remembrance on my great uncle, and all the brave soldiers from this tragic war. He was killed in action on December 22 1943. That must have been a tough Christmas for the family. It reminds me to live with bravery and fearlessness like my great uncle,
20. November 2024 access_time 21:47
Jack, send me an email at kevinsack16@gmail.com. I have letters from the crew members addressed to the copilot’s mother that I’d love to share with you.
16. June 2025 access_time 0:56
Dear Mr. Sack,
As I told Mr Short in a separate message, I am part of a ww2 airwar research foundation from the Netherlands and we are planning to place an information panel near the crashlocation of Princess Patt. We would love to get in touch with you and other relatives of the crew.
We are very interested in the letters you refer to.
Looking forward to your reply! Also feel free to send me an email to yannic@slo-drenthe.nl
27. January 2025 access_time 20:27
Jack: My wife’s uncle was the bombardier on the Princess Pat. There is a book, The Belly Gunner memorializing the experience of the crew on the Princess Pat. author Carol Hipperson
30. January 2025 access_time 17:31
Thanks so much for the information regarding the book. I’ve been looking for a picture of my great uncle Jack and found a crew picture. Ordering the book today. I will be sharing all this with my family,
16. June 2025 access_time 0:53
Dear Mr Short,
I am part of a ww2 airwar research foundation from the Netherlands and we are planning to place an information panel near the crashlocation of Princess Patt. We would love to get in touch with you and other relatives of the crew.
Looking forward to your reply! Also feel free to send me an email to yannic@slo-drenthe.nl
Kind regards from the Netherlands,
Yannic