zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-45-BO: 42-97173 to 42-97435
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 534th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: GD-P
MACR: 5993
History of
B-17 42-97174 / Joanne
Delivered Cheyenne 3/2/44; Nashville 19/2/44; Hunter 23/2/44; Grenier 17/3/44; Assigned 534BS/381BG [GD-P] Ridgewell 7/4/44; on Berlin mission 24/5/44 with John Williams was hit by debris from two colliding B-17s which burned off surface fabric of rudders and elevator,Tail gunner: Jack Ross (POW- bailed out when he thought aircraft was doomed). Missing in Action 12+m Berlin 21/6/44 with Roy Pendergist, Co-pilot: Joe Lawless, Navigator: Bob Harvey, Bombardier: Eloy Heniff, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Malcolm Muir, Radio Operator: Herb Salzseider, Ball turret gunner: Joe Wilson (7 Prisoner of War); Waist gunner: Harry Lehman,Tail gunner: Byron King (2 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Wagnitzer Zootzen forest, 11 miles N of Nauen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 5993. JOANNE.
Last updated: 28. September 2025
B-17 42-97174 / Joanne Details
24 May 1944: was hit by debris from two colliding B-17s of the 381stBG which burned off surface fabric of rudders and elevator. But returned to base. Tail gunner: Sgt. Jack N. Ross bailed out when he thought aircraft was doomed and became POW.
21 June 1944
I was flying as Navigator in aircraft B-17G 43-37657 leading the second element of the low squadron. We had passed the target when I looked up and saw the whole right wing on fire. At that time the ship went into a dive but seemed to be under control. After losing about 5000 feet it leveled off and five (5) men bailed out. The ship then made a 180° turn and lost altitude until it passed under the clouds, at which time two (2) more men bailed out.
F/O James H. Chandler
Navigator, 534th Bomb Sq., 381st Bomb Gp.
I was riding as Navigator in aircraft B-17G 42-102656 im the number 4 position in the hight Squadron. The leading aircraft, B-17G 42-97174, had the trailing edge of the right wing on fire. He immediately pulled ahead of the formation and made a 180° turn and the crew started to bail out. I counted (8) eight men leaving the ship and the Ball Turret gunner reported the ninth man to jump. The last I saw of the ship it was in a dive, this happened five minutes past the target and was the result of flak.
2Lt. Milan C. Snodgrass
Navigator, 534th Bomb Sq., 381st Bomb Gp.
Source: MACR 5993
20. December 2018 access_time 22:12
My father was a gunner on Joanne Sargent Harold J Mckinley.
14. May 2022 access_time 13:54
My father Harold J McKinley was on a crew member on this plane
21. August 2023 access_time 22:28
My Dad, Warren F Fields was the Belly/Ball Turret Gunner on the above mentioned. He is the 3rd from the right in the picture.
11. February 2024 access_time 17:36
My grandfather was John W. Williams, the pilot. I am interested in learning more about his crew.
10. February 2024 access_time 4:21
My grandfather was John W. Williams, the pilot of the Joanne. He named his plane after his neice. I would love to hear any stories y’all might have about the Joanne and her missions.
28. May 2024 access_time 17:00
My father was navigator, Bob Harvey.