| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-25-DL: 42-37989 to 42-38083 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 379th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 525th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | FR-L |
| MACR | 5321 |
| Fate: |
, Mid-air collision (24 March 1944) |
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History of
B-17 42-38082
Delivered: Cheyenne 6/12/43; Kearney 26/12/43; Nutts Corner, Belgium. ast, N.I. 14/1/44; ass 525BS/379BG [FR-L] Kimbolton 29/1/44; MIA Berlin 24/5/44 Pilot: Capt Lytle Shumake, Co-Pilot: George Smith, Navigator: Regis Savage, Bombardier: Lionel Carrillo, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Tom Meehan, Radio Operator: Chester Piatkowski, Ball Turret Gunner: Lyle Edmondson, Waist Gunner: Jack Lairmore, Tail Gunner: Jack Lambert (9KIA); hit by 42-37784 which swerved when hit by flak, crashed between Melchow and Biesenthal, NE of Berlin, Germany. MACR 5321.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
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B-17 42-38082 Details
Mid-air-collision with B-17 #42-37784 The Old Fox on 24 May 1944.
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This page was last updated on 09 December 2018
13. October 2020 access_time 3:56
My Dad was Wilton Gease . I have his reentry papers where he told what happened 24May1944. It is an amazing story. After the plane collided Dad gave the abandoned ship order. The plane was on fire the cockpit was burning. My father held the plane so the crew could jump. His face was completely burnt. He Held the plane for a short timed Finally he Grab his parachute and went to the escape hatch. Through the smoke he could see another man almost ready to jump. The plane lurched cause nobody is at the helm. My Dad was thrown half way out. He figured he was in the other guys way so he jumped holding his parachute. He clipped/strapped the parachute on as he fell. He gets it on and goes to pull the cord and the burning plane is above him. He had to wait for the burning plane to pass so as to not to catch his chute on fire. The plan passes. He pulls the cord and lands in a pine tree. He climbs down and starts walking. He is arrested and put in a prison camp for a year. Gen. Patton liberated the camp. As far as we know he was the only surviver.
Post scrip: his prison camp picture is unrecognizable as his face was so swollen and covered with scabs. The miracle is he had no scars. My Dad was a wonderful man. He was a hero not only in war but to two children. My brother and I. He was awarded the Purple Heart
07. August 2025 access_time 15:10
My great grand uncle, Carl Fetterolf, was the tail gunner in B-17 ‘The Old Fox’ with your father. Thank you a ton for sharing his story, I’ve always wanted to know more of this day.
18. November 2020 access_time 4:34
That’s an incredible story Suzanne! My grandfather was in the same squadron and witnessed that collision. You shared your father’s story with me about 15 or 20 years ago. Amazing.