zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-25-VE: 42-5805 to 42-5854
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 379th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 524th Bomb Squadron
- 526th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LF-Y
MACR: 1942
History of
B-17 42-5827 / Lakanuki
Delivered Long Beach 1/3/43; Sioux City 16/3/43; Kearney 9/4/43; Dow Fd 21/4/43; Assigned 524BS/379BG Kimbolton 20/5/43; 526BS [LF-Y]; on mission to Le Bourget 16/8/43 Navigator: Harry Bailey Killed in Action when he fell out of ship after escape hatch dropped out (MACR 1351); Missing in Action 5/1/44 with Allen Grissom, Co-pilot: John Phillips, Navigator: John Beach, Bombardier: Holger Eklund, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Prochazka, Radio Operator: Hugo Havet, Ball turret gunner: Byron Green, Waist gunner: Delmar Sowers, Waist gunner: E. Bailey,Tail gunner: Bob Hall (10INT); flak caused battle damage and pilot headed to safety, crash landed Skegrie, near Trelleborg, Sweden and used for spares for other B-17s. Missing Air Crew Report 1942. LAKANUKI.
Last updated: 28. February 2020
B-17 42-5827 / Lakanuki Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Allen E. Grissom | INT | - |
| CP | 2LT | John Phillips | INT | - |
| NAV | 2LT | John T. Beach | INT | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Holger G. Eklund | INT | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | James O. Prochazka | INT | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Hugo W. Havet | INT | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Brion A. Green | INT | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Bailey E. Kelley | INT | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Delmar A. Sowers | INT | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Robert D. Hall | INT | - |
16. March 2024 access_time 16:16
This was my Uncle BG Grissoms ship. He did crash land in Sweden and remained there until he and some other officers were exchanged for German prisoners. After returning to England he came back to the US to train on B-29s but the war ended before he was able to go to the Pacific.
26. May 2024 access_time 16:33
This is Clay Grissom, BG Grissom’s grandson. He did get out of Sweden and was then flying top brass around as needed, and flew some of top brass into Nuremberg for the surrender. I was told he chose not to fly B-29 ‘s as he felt he had pushed is luck enough. He would give every crew member a “Buckeye” for good luck 🍀 before each mission.
28. May 2024 access_time 2:13
I never heard that aspect of the story. Uncle BG was not one to talk about his time in the war. Your dad sent me a digital file with a newspaper story about the crash landing, with pictures of the B-17 on the ground, many years ago. I’d imagine you have it but if not just give me a call and I’ll make sure you get it. Kelly has my e-mail.