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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-45-BO: 42-97173 to 42-97435
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 398th Bomb Group
- 452nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 728th Bomb Squadron
- 730th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 13733
History of
B-17 42-97308 / Hairless Joe
Delivered Cheyenne 17/2/44; Rapid City 5/3/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 25/4/44; no ops, transferred 728BS/452BG Deopham Green 26/4/44; 730BS; Missing in Action Bremen 31/3/45 with Francis Moore, Co-pilot: Alvin Levine, Radio Operator: Oliver Sheets, Ball turret gunner: Chester Reeves,Tail gunner: Franklin Kincaid (5 Killed in Action); Navigator: Bill Schumm, Bombardier: Sgt John O’Brien, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Rhodes, Waist gunner: Fred Jordan (4 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Biberach, near Ochsenhausen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 13733. HAIRLESS JOE.
Last updated: 25. September 2020
B-17 42-97308 / Hairless Joe Details
Following statement obtained by S-2 Section, 452nd Bomb Group (H), at interrogation after return of mission:
A/C No. 308 from 452nd “C” Squadron hit by flak over Zeitz – one engine out. Called for fighter support and said was taking a heading of 220 degrees and asked for fixes. Said over VHF was being attacked by fighters. Last heard at 1058 hours on way back in area of bomb line – still being hit by fighters.
Source: MACR 13733
B-17 42-97308 / Hairless Joe Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Francis O. Moore | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Alvin Levine | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | William H. Schumm | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | William N. Rhodes | POW | - |
| RO | SGT | Oliver D. Sheets, Jr. | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Chester M. Reeves | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Fred Jordan, Jr. | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Franklin D. Kincade | KIA | - |
| TOG | SGT | John F. O'Brien | POW | - |
09. January 2022 access_time 19:26
William N. Rhodes was an American airforce Technical Sergeant in World War II. On March 31, 1945, TSgt. William N. Rhodes’ aircraft was engaged in a mission to take out a Primary Target (Oil Refinery) at Ziet, Germany. During that engagement his Aircraft was hit by enemy fire. The number three engine oil supply line was cut by flak, and the landing gear was hit and jammed. Flak also damaged an engine housing causing that prop to be shut down and feathered. The Aircraft was able to maintain an altitude of 17,500 feet and began its journey back to England when two jet propelled German fighters attacked. These two German aircraft were sighted and immediately reported to the pilot by TSgt. Rhodes. The B-17 was hit during the German fighter attack inflicting extensive damage to the aircraft’s number three fuel tank, causing it to explode and tossed the right wing violently. Following this hit the aircraft went into a tight downward spin, within just a few thousand feet the tail section of the aircraft blew off causing the aircraft to level off slightly and continue falling in a shallow spin. This presented the opportunity for the Navigator, Turret Gunner, Co-Pilot and TSgt. Rhodes to bail out. TSgt. Rhodes and three other crew members landed near Biberach, Germany. Of the nine original crew members on the B-17, only four survived the aerial encounter. Upon landing, TSgt. Rhodes and the other survivor’s were captured by German Troops waiting on the ground, searched and taken to a Luftwaffe camp where they were processed as Prisoners of War.
10. January 2022 access_time 0:16
William N. Rhodes was an American airforce Technical Sergeant in World War II. On March 31, 1945, TSgt. William N. Rhodes’ aircraft was engaged in a mission to take out a Primary Target (Oil Refinery) at Ziet, Germany. During that engagement his Aircraft was hit by enemy fire. The number three engine oil supply line was cut by flak, and the landing gear was hit and jammed. Flak also damaged an engine housing causing that prop to be shut down and feathered. The Aircraft was able to maintain an altitude of 17,500 feet and began its journey back to England when two jet propelled German fighters attacked. These two German aircraft were sighted and immediately reported to the pilot by TSgt. Rhodes. The B-17 was hit during the German fighter attack inflicting extensive damage to the aircraft’s number three fuel tank, causing it to explode and tossed the right wing violently. Following this hit the aircraft went into a tight downward spin, within just a few thousand feet the tail section of the aircraft blew off causing the aircraft to level off slightly and continue falling in a shallow spin. This presented the opportunity for the Navigator, Turret Gunner, Co-Pilot and TSgt. Rhodes to bail out. TSgt. Rhodes and three other crew members landed near Biberach, Germany. Of the nine original crew members on the B-17, only four survived the aerial encounter. Upon landing, TSgt. Rhodes and the other survivor’s were captured by German Troops waiting on the ground, searched and taken to a Luftwaffe camp where they were processed as Prisoners of War.