zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-25-DL: 42-37989 to 42-38083
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 534th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: GD-A
MACR: 4052 / KSU/ME/KU: 1576, 773A
History of
B-17 42-38004 / Ol’ Man Tucker
Delivered Denver 10/11/43; Presque Is 30/11/43; Prestwick, UK 7/12/43; Assigned 534BS/381BG [GD-A] Ridgewell 6/1/44; 6 Missing in Action Eschwege 19/4/44 with Bob Rayburn, Co-pilot: Maynard Craft, Radio Operator: Don Peterson (3 Killed in Action); Navigator: Loren Morse, Bombardier: Ralph Simons, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Purser, Ball turret gunner: John Bristow, Waist gunner: De Forest Main,Tail gunner: Gerald Gerber (6 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, the flak set wing alight, crashed Rohrsburg, NW of Frettenrode, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4052. OL’ MAN TUCKER.
Last updated: 20. September 2020
B-17 42-38004 / Ol’ Man Tucker Details
Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17 #42-38004
Aircraft B-17G 42-38004 was flying No. 2 position in 1st element of the lead Squadron when it was attacked by Enemy fighters causing the B-17 to catch on fire inboard of the No. one (1) engine. The ship then went into a steep dive. Only one chute was seen to come out. This was all I was able to observe.
1Lt. Daniel C. Henry
Pilot, Air Corps
534th Bomb Sq. (H)
I was flying Deputy Group Lead. A few seconds after the fighter attack, a B-17 aircraft with letter “A” on the vertical stabilizer passed over my nose, clearing by about 10 feet. I dropped down and the aircraft passed between the Group Lead ship and my own ship. The aircraft was burning fiercely in the vicinity inboard of the No. one (1) engine. The bombay doors were open. One man bailed out and his parachute opened immediately at our level. The plane was in about a 30 degree dive when it passed over my nose and then continued in the dive blowing up before passing out of view.
1Lt. John C. Kuhl
Pilot, Air Corps
534th Bomb Sq. (H)
Lt Robert W. Rayburn, pilot of aircraft 42-38004 was flying #2 position, 1st element, lead squadron on the afternoon of the 19 April 1944. After the first fighter attack his ship caught fire. He dived out of formation and I saw one parachute open as he passed out of my sight.
2Lt. Robert W. Crisler
Co-Pilot, Air Corps
534th Bomb Sq. (H)
Source: MACR 4052
B-17 42-38004 / Ol’ Man Tucker Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Robert W. Rayburn | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Maynard V. Craft | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Loren C. Morse | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Ralph G. Simons | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | William R. Purser | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Donald C. Peterson | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | John L. Bristow | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | De Forest E. Main | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Gerald Gerber | POW | - |
04. March 2021 access_time 1:03
According to my father, Loren C. Morse their plane blew a fuse and lost one of their engines. This caused them to fall out of formation and they were a sitting duck for ME-109 fighter planes.
31. May 2021 access_time 4:31
Thanks for that detail. My great grand uncle was 2nd Lt. Maynard Craft. I knew he was shot down over Europe and was buried in Belgium but just learned the details today.
03. June 2021 access_time 23:49
Hello, Thomas. My grandfather was the waist gunner on that crew. DeForest Main. It’s great to see a connection to Lt Crafts family.
03. June 2021 access_time 23:47
Hello, Peter. My name is Aaron Rowe. My grandfather was the waist gunner on your fathers plane with the Rayburn Crew. DeForest Main. It’s great to see families are still interested in this history!
15. July 2021 access_time 7:11
That’s great to know. My father passed away yesterday at the Bath VA in Bath New York. He was 97
15. July 2021 access_time 7:14
I’m happy to know this. After dad was shot down he was captured and was a POW in three camps, including Stalag Luft 3.
07. September 2021 access_time 22:33
Apologies, Peter, I did not realize you had responded back to me this summer. I’m very sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I actually spoke to him about 20 years ago right after my grandfather passed away. He was very kind. I have compiled a lot of information on their crew and the day they were shot down. If you are interested, I can provide some. I am also a member of the 381st Bomb Group Association and have been entering information about the crew and others shot down on the American Air Museum in Duxford (England) website. They have a gigantic free database for anyone involved in the 8th Air Force. I am attempting to make it easier for future generations to find information on these men and their accomplishments. Feel free to contact me at atoddrowe95@gmail.com if you want to share stories.
28. September 2022 access_time 16:50
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herrn,
ich heiße Uwe Wedekind und wohne in Fretterode.
Ich bin Chronist von Fretterode.
Auch ich habe schon einige Unterlagen gesammelt über die Flugzeugabstürze.
Ach konnte ich schon Angehörige der gestorbenen aus den USA in Fretterode begrüßen.
Es wäre schön wenn wir unsere Unterlagen austauschen könnten.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Uwe Wedekind
30. September 2022 access_time 7:05
Hallo Herr Wedekind, ich habe Ihnen eine E-Mail geschickt.
Viele Grüße
Jing
24. April 2024 access_time 21:50
Hello, Uwe. I believe you emailed me a while ago about the Ol, Man Tucker and my grandfather. I replied but never heard back. I am interested in whatever information you may have about that day and the area of Fretterode. atoddrowe95@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Aaron Rowe
grandson of DeForest Main