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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-5-VE: 42-39858 to 42-39957
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 535th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: MS-S
MACR: 2935 / KSU/ME/KU: 932
Missions: 12+
History of
B-17 42-39895 / Bermondsay Battler
Delivered Long Beach 1/10/43; Gr Island 1/11/43; ass 535BS/381BG [MS-S] Ridgewell 22/12/43; {12+m} MIA Bunde 22/2/44 Pilot: Lee Smith, Co-Pilot: Rowland Evans, Navigator: Leonard Meier, Bombardier: Harry Kaufman, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Harry Kemper, Radio Operator: John Zappala, Ball Turret Gunner: Lester Larson, Waist Gunner: Andy Manning, Waist Gunner: Reg Solway, Tail Gunner: Larry Eden (10KIA); Enemy aircraft crashed on Allhornsberg, at Hiddesen, three miles SW of Detmold, Germany. MACR 2935. BERMONDSEY BATTLER.
Last updated: 9. April 2021
B-17 42-39895 / Bermondsay Battler Details
Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17G #42-39895
I was flying with Major Fitzgerald and Captain Hecker in the lead ship of the second High Squadron as Right Waist Gunner. Lt. Smith, B-17G A/C 42-39895, was flying on our right wing. During our first attack by fighters, Lt. Smith’s ship was hit by 20 mm shells and the number three engine caught on fire and there also appeared to be a small fire in the nose of the ship. The pilot put the ship on what looked to be a controlled slip to the left and behind us out of my sight.
S/Sgt. Donald J. Perdue
I was flying with Major Fitzgerald and Captain Hecker in the lead ship of the second High Squadron as Tail Gunner (Observer) on the mission of 22 February 1944. When we got out first fighter attacks. Lt. Smith, in B-17G A/C 42-39895, was attacked by ME 109’s which hit his number 2 and 3 engines and set them on fire. He was flying on our right wing and when this happened he side slipped his plane under our tail and dove down about 3000 feet, probably in an effort to put out the fires. He then leveled off and appeared to be under control. After this I did not see him any more.
S/Sgt. Ralph R. Bosato
Source: MACR 2935
B-17 42-39895 / Bermondsay Battler Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Lee W. Smith | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Rowland H. Evans | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Leonard P. Meier | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Harold W. Kaufmann | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Harold C. Kemper | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | John W. Zappala | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Lester P. Larson | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Reginal C. Solway | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Andrew F. Manning | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Lawrence V. Eden | KIA | - |
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