Production-block:
B-17G-40-BO: 42-97058 to 42-97172
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 96th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 337th Bomb Squadron
History of
B-17 42-97166 / Old Gatemouth
Delivered Cheyenne 4/2/44; Kearney 15/2/44; Grenier 25/2/44; Assigned: 337BS/96BG [AW-‘] Snetterton 7/3/44; battle damage Chateaudun, Fr. 28/3/44 Pilot: Bill Young and Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Bob Hatch brought ship back to base (2RTD); Co-Pilot: Dallas Young, Waist Gunner: Ken Hurd (2EVD); Navigator: Jim Kramer, Bombardier: Max Preston, Radio Operator: Clarry Waterworth, Ball Turret Gunner: Asa Gill, Waist Gunner: Reece Pilkington, Tail Gunner: Bill Rogers all bailed out near Beaucerons, Fr. (6POW); MACR 3591; suffered battle damage again, on mission to Brux 24/8/44 w/Ray Bauman, (8RTD); ditched North Sea off Lowestoft, Sfk, UK. all rescued. OLD GATEMOUTH.
Last updated: 19. October 2018
18. July 2023 access_time 1:44
My father was Max Preston the original Bombardier listed above. He spent 13 months as a POW in Stalag Luft 1 located in Barth, Germany in Northern Germany.
He passed away about 6 years ago at the age of 96.
He wasn’t one to talk about his war or POW experiences. He was a faith filled man of God and was the best of fathers. Miss him and Mom everyday!