43-38012

B-17G 43-38012 was delivered Cheyenne 15-Jun-44; Kearney 27-Jun-44; Dow Fd 9-Jul-44; Assigned 324BS/91BG [DF-L] Bassingbourn 23-Jul-44. Attacked on 16-Aug-44 by German fighters while on a mission to bomb the aircraft factories at Halle, Germany. Attack destroyed #2 engine and the right wing causing the aircraft to crash near Witzenhausen, Germany. 1KIA 8POW MACR 8180.



P 2Lt Vincent A. Fonke (POW); CP 2Lt Fred W. Van Sant (POW)

N 2Lt Robert W. Simcock, Jr. (POW) B 2Lt Herbert Carlson (POW)

E/TTG SSgt Raymond V. Prange (POW) RO SSgt Wemdell O. Meenac (POW)

BTG Sgt Charles S Brudo (POW-WIA); WG Sgt William J Weaver (POW-WiA)

TG Sgt Willard M. Holden (KIA)



NOTE: The MACR does not designate a Radio Operator, but at this point in the war heavy bombers were normally flown into battle with a 9-man crew, which for all intents and purposes meant that one less Waist Gunner would be carried. The MACR designates both a LWG and a RWG. In this particular case SSgt Meenach was most probably the RO and doubled into the position Right Waist Gunner.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39200195
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-769255
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-764120
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37559251
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15104134
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Waist Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Witzenhausen, Germany 16 August 1944 Attacked by German fighters destroying #2 engine and the right wing. Aircraft exploded and then crashed near Witzenhausen, Germany.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Dec-2014. Added Markings, added nickname, loss details ro FTR event and description per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; made connections to Place and Mission wihtin existing website data; Added crew position, rank, full proper name and dispositions per MACR 8180.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8180 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database