zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-75-BO: 43-37874 to 43-38073
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 486th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 833rd Bomb Squadron
- 834th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: 4N-C, 2S-T
MACR: 10168
History of
B-17 43-37883 / Blue Streak
Delivered Cheyenne 1/6/44; Hunter 10/6/44; Dow Fd 28/6/44; Assigned 833BS/486BG [4N-C] Sudbury 2/7/44; transferred 834BS [2S-T]; {27m} Missing in Action Merseburg 2/11/44 with Dave Paris, Co-pilot: Gene Schmidt, Navigator: Bill Beeson, Bombardier: Walt Rousky, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John McGill, Radio Operator: Nick Puglia, Ball turret gunner: John Burch, Waist gunner: Calvin Herrick,Tail gunner: Warren Rudiger (9 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Merseburg, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 10168. BLUE STREAK.
Last updated: 17. February 2020
B-17 43-37883 / Blue Streak Details
The shrapnel from flak (FLiegerAbwehrKanone) was dangerous enough to planes and crew in a near miss. Direct hits were devastating as this photo shows. S/SGT Bill Stewart (834th BS) took this photo on Nov 2, 1944 from his waist window as #883 takes a direct hit in the bomb bay. Most likely before “bombs away.” The bombardier had 31 missions; the rest of the crew had only 4 or 5 missions. This photo appeared in most London newspapers and one New York paper.
Wreckage found in August 2002 and displayed in Luftfahrt und Technik Museumspark Merseburg. Images of the parts are on this website at the bottom:
http://www.dasgeiseltal.de/content/der-tag-als-die-tropfen-fielen/november—januar-1944_45/donnerstag-der-2november-1944/
From MACR 10168
Eyewitness Statements:
A/C 883 received a direct flak hit just after bombs away. There was an explosion the plane broke in many flaming pieces. No parachutes were seen.
Sgt. Bacon saw two men come out of the plane. He couldn’t say wheter they had jumped or been thrown clear. He saw no chutes.
B-17 43-37883 / Blue Streak Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | David M. Paris | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Eugene F. Schmidt | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | William H. Beeson | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Walter A. Rousky | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | CPT | John Y. McGill | KIA | - |
| RO | SGT | Nicholas D. Puglia | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | John C. Burch | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Calvin B. Herrick | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Warren L. Rudiger | KIA | - |
29. March 2018 access_time 17:17
43-37883/Blue Streak Lost 11-2-44 Merseburg 834th BS-486th BG
Pilot -LT David M. Paris-New Albany, IN Younger brother of CAPT John Paris, Jr-
Flight Surgeon-USAAF. USAAF parachute returned to family.All crew members KIA.
Memorial service conducted 1999-New Albany, Indiana-USA.
An original British newspaper clipping of the photograph of the Blue Streak was
found in my father’s bombardier’s kit bag in 2017. Lt Marriott was with the 396th
BG (B-24) 30 missions over occupied France and Germany. The irony is
that I married Lt David Paris cousin-Dr. Marion Paris. The extent of the
8th Air Force Bomber Command and its groups and squadrons is reflected in the lives it touched during and following World War II.
LtCol Ridge Marriott
USArmy-R
1st Special Forces Regiment (ABN)
16. February 2020 access_time 20:48
NAV 1LT William H. Beeson was on his last mission number 32 when KIA not the BOMB.