| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-100-BO: 43-38874 to 43-39073 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 452nd Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 729th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR: | 11225 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (02 January 1945) |
History of
B-17 43-38921
Delivered Lincoln 11/10/44; Grenier 22/10/44; Assigned: as SH ship 729BS/452BG Deopham Green 24/10/44; MIA Bad Krueznach, Germany. 2/1/45 Pilot: Capt Ralph Jones, Ross Cullen, Ray Childers, Joe Manganello, John Mann, Lt Francis Cusick {mickey op}, John Gabel, Lt Ed Hood {tg} (8KIA); John Everhart (POW); flak, crashed Bitburg, Ger. MACR 11225.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 43-38921 Details
About a minute before bombs away, A/C 921 received a direct hit between #1 and #2 engine, bending back the outer wing panel which hit the rudder sending the A/C into a flat spin. In the spin, on the way down, the plane broke apart. One crew reported seeing chutes all the other crews reported no chutes seen.
B-17 43-38921 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | CPT | Ralph R. Jones | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | John E. Everhart | POW | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Ross A. Cullen | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Raymond E. Childers | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Joseph H. Manganello | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | John A. Mann | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John J. Gabel | KIA | - |
| TG | 1LT | Edward R. Hood | KIA | CA (730th) |
| RCM | 2LT | Francis M. Cusick | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 02 January 2021
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13. December 2021 access_time 1:02
My father, Pete LaMonica, flew on one mission on this B-17 as the radio operator/gunner. The plane was hit by flak and my father lost his leg. I am looking for any photos of this plane and possibly crew photos.
29. January 2024 access_time 20:11
My Great Uncle Joe (John J. Gabel) was the Waist Gunner on this plane. We were told the name of the Plane was the Texas Gal, but I cannot find anything to confirm this. Does anyone know if that is the correct name of the plane?
12. March 2024 access_time 16:20
My great uncle was a pilot and also on this mission. Records show he was the CA on this flight. I don’t know of any name for this particular plane. Every year on Jan 2, I have yellow roses sent to my uncle to be placed on his grave. At my request a rose placed on each of the crew members grave as well. I have a photo of his grave with a rose. I’ll happily to email it to you.
12. March 2024 access_time 18:02
I have official records from my Uncle Edward Roth Hood’s IDPF that has him listed as the Command Pilot, not the tail gunner. If need be, I would be happy to share this.