zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-30-DL: 42-38084 to 42-38213
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 305th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 364th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: WF-P
History of
B-17 42-38109 / Cabin In The Sky
Delivered Denver 15/12/43; Mitchell 20/1/44; Assigned 364BS/305BG [WF-P] Chelveston 10/2/44; battle damaged Leipzig 20/2/44 with Bill Lawley{awarded MOH), Navigator: Harry Seraphine, Bombardier: Harry Mason, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Carroll Rowley, Radio Operator: Tom Dempsey, Ball turret gunner: Joe Koberecki, Waist gunner: Ralph Braswell, Waist gunner: ? ,Tail gunner: Alf Wendt (9 Returned to Duty); Co-pilot: Paul Murphy (Killed in Action); crash landed RAF Redhill, Surrey; sal 2 SAD 23/2/44. CABIN IN THE SKY.
Last updated: 15. February 2018
B-17 42-38109 / Cabin In The Sky Details
Original image description:
Brought home by the skill and courage of her pilot !st Lt. William R. Lawley of 431 East Hull St., Denison Texas, this is where the skidding Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress finally stopped as he brought it down for a belly landing after being shot up by Luftwaffe fighters on the return trip from Leipzig, 20 Feb 1944.
Lt. Lawley was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his feat of bringing the Fort home in spite of serious wounds.
B-17 42-38109 / Cabin In The Sky Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | William R. Lawley Jr. | UNK | Medal of Honor |
05. October 2018 access_time 6:29
The unknown waist gunner on Cabin In The Sky when it was shot down was my grandfather. Thomas Glen Richey, Sr. was a last minute fill in. After the plane was shot down he went into the French underground and eventually was taken as a POW at Auschwitz and then moved to Buchenwald.
21. March 2019 access_time 21:18
We have a photo of my dad waving from the cockpit of Cabin in the Sky, and are wondering what he’s doing there. His name was 2nd Lt. Donald Van Buren. He flew B17s during WWII, stationed in Ipswich, England but we don’t know the name of his plane.
28. March 2020 access_time 0:24
Hi Susan, I am writing a book that includes the episode of B-17 “Cabin in the Sky” being shot up over Germany. Would you be willing to share your photo of your dad waving from the cockpit of “Cabin in the Sky” — If so, please contact me at thedildys@aol.com.
Thank You,
Douglas Dildy
03. February 2021 access_time 11:01
I have a very interesting story. A few years back I had purchased a bus filled with so much stuff. Inside was the pilots autograph book from training and inside were two photos one of the crew and one of his lover. I have been trying so hard to reach the owners man. I have been holding onto this for sometime and am thankful to have researched this bomber and anyone with info to connect me to the pilots family would be nothing short of a miracle to me time to get this to his family!
29. March 2020 access_time 12:27
Hello Susan, I sent you an email.
Please check.
29. March 2020 access_time 18:47
Thank you Susan!
The photo you sent to me shows your father with this B-17:
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-30338-cabin-in-the-sky-aka-rough-group-aka-dorothy-dee/
21. October 2020 access_time 11:20
Is there any chance that someone could put me in touch with the family of Bill Lawley please or can someone drop me an email at Minnion1@icloud.com
It’s in relation to the the crash landing at Redhill.
Regards
Stuart
06. May 2019 access_time 17:53
My father William J. Simko was a belly gunner on this plane. Any one know of him. He flew 21 missions as a belly gunner
30. March 2020 access_time 18:28
My uncle was Harry Mason the bombardier.
He shared other details of that day with me when I was a kid.
18. April 2020 access_time 20:24
Hello Bob, do you want to share the other details with me and my web site?
30. March 2020 access_time 18:56
My uncle was Harry Mason the bombardier.
20. February 2024 access_time 21:16
Hello Bob! I grew up in Matawan and was long-time friends with the Mason family living as a neighbor. When I was 8 or 9 years, I remember vividly the stories from Mr. Mason and letting me view his Silver Star and Commendation. Very happy to have discovered his picture with the other flight crew members, a real hero in my book. Bill Mullin
26. June 2020 access_time 2:51
My father was the tail gunner on this aircraft. He ended up behind enemy lines for eight months with the French underground. Eventually got to the Spain border. I was Lucky enough to meet Col. Lawley and talk with him. What a Hero he was.
08. August 2022 access_time 19:37
Ball turret gunner: Joe Kob1erecki was my dad.