| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-40-BO: 42-5150 to 42-5249 |
| Delievered: | Tulsa |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 91st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 401st Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | LL-Z |
| MACR | 15521 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (17 April 1943) |
| Missions: | 4 |
History of
B-17 42-5172 / Thunderbird
Delivered Tulsa 5/10/42; Salina 21/1/43; Assigned 401BS/91BG [LL-Z] Bassingbourn 26/3/43; Missing in Action 4m Bremen 17/4/43 with Harold H. Beasley, Co-pilot: Walter L. McCain, Jr. (2 Killed in Action); Navigator: Harry Sipe, Bombardier: Matt Michaels, Radio Operator: Mark Schaefer, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jay Franklin, Ball turret gunner: Jim Branch, Waist gunner: John Cagle, Tail gunner: Ed Jediak, Waist gunner: Everett Creason (8 Prisoner of War); flak damage, crew bailed over Bruchhausen, while ship crashed near Holzhausen, between Beckeln & Harpstedt, 12 miles south-west of Bremen, Germany. Missing Air Crew Report 15521. THUNDERBIRD.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-5172 / Thunderbird Details
The aircraft took part in a bombing mission to the Focke Wulf plant at Bremen, Germany, on April 17 1943, at which time several aircraft were lost. The cause of the loss is unknown as both flak and enemy aircraft were intense.
Above taken from the Group History
Source: MACR 15521
B-17 42-5172 / Thunderbird Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Harold H. Beasley | KIA | - |
| CP | 1LT | Walter L. McCain, Jr. | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Harry D. Sipe | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Matthew Michaels | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Jay M. Franklin | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Mark L. Schaefer | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | James L. Branch | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Johnnie D. Cagle | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Everett L. Creason | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Edward G. Jedniak | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 05 April 2026
26. August 2019 access_time 3:35
My father was on that mission as command pilot in the Sky Wolf 2, both were shot down that day. His crew lost 5 men. He knew Harold Beasley, pilot of the Thunderbird, one of the nicest people he ever met. 8 bailed out and survived, Beasley died saving his crew. The plane blew up and both pilots perished. An unknown story shared for all to remember and say thank you
16. December 2019 access_time 1:14
Hi. I am a member of the Covington Veterans Foundation in Andalusia, Alabama. I am currently researching the service of Harold H. Beasley of the 401st whom you commented on. I would like to contact you if possible about any anectodes or such that your father might have told you about Lt. Beasley.