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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 7/3/44; Kearney 2/5/44; Grenier 14/5/44; Assigned 510BS/351BG [TU-O] Polebrook 16/5/44; Missing in Action {3m} French A/fds 14/6/44 with Gus Cesarini, Navigator: George Reineke (2KIA*); Co-pilot: Frank Ludwig, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Tuttle Pardue, Radio Operator: George Walter, Ball turret gunner: Joe Gholston, Waist gunner: Bob Lageman, Waist gunner: Fred Nicklas,Tail gunner: John Kulak (7 Prisoner of War); n/g-Sgt Fred Hale (evaded capture); flak, crashed Eslettes, seven miles NW of Rouen, Fr; Missing Air Crew Report 5798. (*These two men given as RTD in book by PeteHarris/Ken Harbour)
Group
The 351st Bomb Group flew strategic bombing missions from their base at Polebrook, Northamptonshire from April 1943 to June 1945. The Group's most famous member was Hollywood actor Clark Gable, who flew four/ five missions with them as an observer...
Squadron
Military | Lieutenant | Pilot | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Killed in Action (KIA)
Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Prisoner of War (POW)
Military | Staff Sergeant | Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Evaded (EVD)
Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Prisoner of War (POW)
Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Prisoner of War (POW)
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Prisoner of War (POW)
Military | Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Prisoner of War (POW)
Military | Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Prisoner of War (POW)
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Killed in Action (KIA)
Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator | 351st Bomb Group
B-17 #42-102478 hit by flak, crashed into Channel 14 Jun 1944. Prisoner of War (POW)
Military site : airfield
Polebrook was laid down for RAF Bomber Command use in 1940-1941. Built by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd, it had short runways which were lengthened for USAAF heavy bomber use. The RAF used the base for operational trials - including of B-17 Flying...
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW) | English Channel | 14 June 1944 |
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 27 September 2014 18:40:09 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5798 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database |
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