Production-block:
B-17G-20-DL: 42-37894 to 42-37988
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 390th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 570th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: DI-P
MACR: 2886
History of
B-17 42-37932 / Ole Basser
Delivered Denver 19/10/43; Gr Island 1/11/43; ass 570BS/390BG [DI-P] Framlingham 12/11/43; MIA Chartres 2/3/44 Pilot: Everett Ferguson, Navigator: Ed Imblum, Radio Operator: Gene Wilusz, Waist Gunner: Bill Conrad, Tail Gunner: Bill Clark (5KIA); Ball Turret Gunner: Wilson Jones (EVD-ret UK 1/6/44); Co-Pilot: John Baker, Bombardier: Fred Shecter, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Archie Delong, Waist Gunner: Theo McCarty (4POW); flak hit in tail blowing off pieces of vertical and horizontal stabs. as well as several feet of rear fuselage. A/c attempted to climb, stalled and dove down steeply and crashed E of Oisemont, 10 miles S of Abbeville, Fr. MACR 2886. OLE BASSER.
Last updated: 17. November 2018
11. October 2021 access_time 0:48
William L Atkinson
William L Atkinson
MILITARY | LIEUTENANT | PILOT | 390TH BOMB GROUP
Crew Number 57. Assigned to 570BS, 390BG, 8AF USAAF. 21 x missions ( 15 x aboard 42-37932 “Ole Basser” ). Awards: DFC, AM, WWII Victory, EAME.
29. October 2022 access_time 18:46
My great-grandfather, Archie DeLong, was the top turret gunner of this ship when it went down. He survived and was eventually freed from the POW camp at the end of the war. He told my family members that at some point during the attack, he fell unconscious. When he woke up, he had just landed on the ground with an opened parachute attached to him. He never knew who had put the parachute on him, but they saved his life that day. For the rest of his life, he wondered which one of his brothers took the time to help him as the plane was going down. We are all so grateful for that man and the courage that all of these men had on that day.