Source:
www.95thbg-horham.com
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-45-BO: 42-97173 to 42-97435 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 398th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 334th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | BG-H |
| MACR | 4928 |
| Fate: |
, Battle damaged, interned (19 May 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-97290 / Smilin’ Sandy Sanchez
Delivered Cheyenne 15/2/44; Kearney 27/2/44; Presque Is 11/3/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 22/4/44; transferred 334BS/95BG [BG-H] Horham 28/4/44; 23m Missing in Action Berlin 19/5/44 with Capt Bill Waltman, Co-pilot: Wayne McCallon, Navigator: Henry Robertson, Bombardier: Jim Fournier, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dale Gossman, Radio Operator: Harry Myers, Ball turret gunner: Russ Brainard, Waist gunner: Jim Coppage, Waist gunner: Winfred Wright,Tail gunner: Albt Faust (10INT); suffered battle damage and crash landed Akesholm, Sweden. Missing Air Crew Report 4928. SMILIN’ SANDY SANCHEZ. (Named after a so called tail gunner.)
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-97290 / Smilin’ Sandy Sanchez Details
Correct statement of facts obtained from the S-2 files:
B-17G 42-97290, piloted by Capt. William S. Waltman, was first seen to be dropping back of the formation as the group was leaving the target, the cause of which was unknown. At 1505 hours a call was received over the radio stating the ship was under control but losing altitude. The final contact was made about fifty (50) miles north of Berlin.
Source: MACR 4928
B-17 42-97290 / Smilin’ Sandy Sanchez Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | CPT | William S. Waltman | INT | - |
| CP | 2LT | Wayne H. McCallon | INT | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Henry P. Robertson | INT | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | James L. Fournier | INT | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | James H. Coppage | INT | - |
| RO | SGT | Harold E. Myers | INT | - |
| BT | SGT | Russell D. Brainard | INT | - |
| WG | SGT | Dale R. Gossman | INT | - |
| WG | SGT | Winfred C. Wright | INT | - |
| TG | SGT | Henry J. Faust | INT | - |
This page was last updated on 30 April 2024
27. December 2020 access_time 1:22
Dale Gossman, not Grossman, was my father-in-law and he said he was a waist gunner.