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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-45-BO: 42-97173 to 42-97435
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 322nd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LG-M
MACR: 10360
History of
B-17 42-97234 / Bomber Dear
Delivered Cheyenne 9/2/44; Gr Island 27/2/44; Grenier 20/3/44; Assigned 322nd Bomb Squadron/91st Bomb Group [LG-M] at Bassingbourn 7/4/44; BOMBER DEAR. Missing in Action 30+m Merseburg 2/11/44 with John Liekhus, Navigator: Allen Young, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Brady, Radio Operator: Allen Chandler, Ball turret gunner: Bobby Younger, Waist gunner: Bob Shoemaker (6 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Bob Wisor, Bombardier: Bob Sambo,Tail gunner: Bruno Lombardi (3 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft set aircraft on fire, crashed Barby, Germany; Missing Air Crew Report 10360.
Last updated: 12. September 2020
B-17 42-97234 / Bomber Dear Details
Statement of Eyewitness from MACR 10360
We were flying a approximately 23000 feet altitude, just after bombs away. We were trying to catch the formation when I noticed aircraft B-17-G 42-97234, falling back. We maintaned our air speed to catch the group formation and he was unable to stay in favorable position due to the increase in air speed. At this time we had several enemy fighter attacks and subject aircraft fell further behind. At about the third or fourth pass by enemy fighters he burst into flame, peeled off to the left, and started downwards in about a 45 degree dive. The aircraft was completely in flames. I then lost sight of the ship immediately afterward. I saw no parachutes leave this aircraft.
1Lt. Hubert F. Donohue
323rd Bombardment Squadron
B-17 42-97234 / Bomber Dear Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | John H. Liekhus | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert C. Wisor | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Allen D. Young | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Robert H. Sambo | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | John F. Brady | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Allen A. Chandler, Jr. | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Bobby J. Younger | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Robert O. Shoemaker | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Bruno D. Lombardi | POW | - |
15. September 2022 access_time 3:36
I can’t believe I was able to find this on google but my grandfather was Robert C. Wisor the copilot of this bomber. He never spoke about what happened that day except for in his book he wrote about his life story.
30. September 2024 access_time 2:30
My dad flew on this plane, under Lt. L. C. Basinger, do you know of any colored nose art photos, and color of the whole plane, I put together a 1/48 B-17, shells for my dads 21-gun-slute, and a bother is sending me his flag.
30. September 2024 access_time 2:20
Is there a color photo of the plane and nose art?
30. September 2024 access_time 2:23
my dad flew on her before the crew that crashed, under Lt. L.C. Basinger, my dad was the Engineer/ Top Turret Gunner
30. September 2024 access_time 18:43
how did she come about getting her Name BOMBER DEAR
03. October 2024 access_time 13:00
42-97234 was a 323rd Bomb Squadron ship, Radio Call Letters should read OR-M. Not to be confused with 43-38234 LG-E “Easy does it”, as both ships had the same last 3 digits of their serial number in the same Bomb Group.