| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-20-DL: 42-37894 to 42-37988 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 92nd Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 407th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | PY-Y |
| MACR | 7508 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire, Shot down by Swiss Air Force (11 July 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-37976 / Manchester Leader
Delivered Denver 2/11/43; Gr Island 21/11/43; Assigned 407BS/92BG [PY-Y] Podington 8/1/44; on mission 7/5/44 Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Edwin Fawcett (Killed in Action); 45 Missing in Action Munich 11/7/44 with John Seilheimer, Co-pilot: Bob Maloney, Navigator: Alex La Penna, Bombardier: Bob Johnson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ben Strusynski, Radio Operator: Gerald Swindell, Ball turret gunner: Art Janiszewski, Waist gunner: Frank Kollman,Tail gunner: Frank Rossi (9INT); flak, lost two engines, then hit by Swiss flak (lost 4ft off wing) and attacked by aircraft on approach to force landed Switzerland; Missing Air Crew Report 7508. MANCHESTER LEADER.
B-17 42-37976 / Manchester Leader Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | John R. Seilheimer | INT | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert A. Maloney | INT | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Alexander V. La Penna | INT | - |
| BOMB | F/O | Robert E. Johnson | INT | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Benjamin Struzyniski | INT | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Gerald W. Swindell | INT | - |
| BT | SGT | Arthur I. Janiszewski | INT | - |
| WG | SGT | Frank R. Kollman | INT | - |
| TG | SGT | Frank Rossi, III | INT | - |
This page was last updated on 22 July 2017
03. April 2025 access_time 2:29
My grandfather was John Robert Seilheimer, pilot of the Manchester Leader. Is there any other place to find information about him and his aircraft? I’m trying to get information for his great grandson. I’ve already got his uniform and dog tags, as well as his war journals. Thanks for any help.