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First Lieutenant Dale Shaffer's crew of the 365th Bomb Squadron of the 305th Bomb Group, 23 November 1942. They are in front of B-17 41-24575. Most of the airmen are identified on Fold3 by user 'patootie':
Back row: S/Sgt Homer F Vinning (tail gunner), 2/Lt Jack W Bennet (bombardier), 2/Lt Arthur D Reitz (navigator), 2/Lt Wilbur D Greenwalt (co-pilot) and 1/Lt Dale Shaffer (pilot).
Front row: unknown (waist gunner), Pvt Thomas H Lawler (radio operator), S/Sgt William F Clendenen (ball turret gunner), S/Sgt Herbert W Armstrong (waist gunner) and T/Sgt Alan G Nates (engineer).
Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-S] Presque Is 19/10/42; Grafton Underwood 25/10/42; transferred 544BS/384BG [SU-J] Grafton Underwood 19/9/43; detailed Bremen 13/11/43 but recalled with Ralph Connell, Co-pilot: Albt Doman, Navigator: Larry Angthius, Bombardier: Claud Gober, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harvey Wick, Ball turret gunner: Ellsworth Calder, Waist gunner: Ken Barr, Waist gunner: Bill McCully,Tail gunner: Bob Bryant (9 Killed in Action); Radio Operator: Alan Purdy (Returned to Duty). crashed RAF Wargrave, Berks., UK. SUNRISE SERENADER.
Service
Units
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Group
The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), nicknamed "Can Do" was activated 1-March-1942 at Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah which was their primary training base until 11-Jun-1942 when they relocated to Geiger Field, Washington until 29-Jun-1942, then on to...
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Group
The 384th Bomb Group flew B-17s from Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, between May 1943 and June 1945. They were engaged in daylight bombing missions over Germany as part of the Allies' efforts to destroy the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe by...
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People
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 384th Bomb Group
Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Upon takeoff from base on mission to Bremen 13-Nov-1943, 384th was recalled. B-17 #42-24575 'Sunrise Serenader' vibrated before going into a spin and broke in two near Wargrave, Berkshire. 9 KOM 1RTD.
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Military | Tail Gunner, Waist Gunner | 384th Bomb Group
Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Upon takeoff from base on mission to Bremen 13-Nov-1943, 384th was recalled. B-17#42-24575 'Sunrise Seranader' vibrated before going into a spin and broke in two near Wargrave, Berkshire. 9 KOM 1RTD.
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Military | Tail Gunner, Waist Gunner | 384th Bomb Group
Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Upon takeoff from base on mission to Bremen 13-Nov-1943, 384th was recalled. B17#42-24575 'Sunrise Serenader' vibrated before going into a spin and broke in two near Wargrave, Berkshire. 9 KOM 1RTD
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Shot down 17 August 1943 in B-17 #41-24564 'Patches', Prisoner of War (POW).
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Military | Ball Turret Gunner | 384th Bomb Group
Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Upon takeoff from base on mission to Bremen 13-Nov-1943, 384th was recalled. B-17#42-24575 'Sunrise Serenader' vibrated before going into a spin and broke in two near Wargrave, Berkshire. 9 KOM 1RTD.
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Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 384th Bomb Group
Killed in Action (KIA). First mission November 13, 1943 and date of accident. Upon takeoff from base on mission to Bremen 13-Nov-1943, 384th was recalled. B-17 #42-24575 'Sunrise Serenader' vibrated before going into a spin and broke in two near...
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Military | Co-Pilot | 384th Bomb Group
Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Upon takeoff from base on mission to Bremen 13-Nov-1943, 384th was recalled. B-17#42-24575 'Sunrise Serenader' vibrated before going into a spin and broke in two near Wargrave, Berkshire. 9 KOM 1RTD.
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Military | Navigator | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
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Military | Radio Operator
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 384th Bomb Group
Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA). Upon takeoff from base on mission to Bremen 13-Nov-1943, 384th was recalled. B-17#42-24575 'Sunrise Serenader' vibrated before going into a spin and broke in two near Wargrave, Berkshire. 9 KOM 1RTD
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Missions
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29 June 1943
1st Bomb Wing despatches two formations: one has the air depot at Villacoublay, France as their primary; and one has the Luftwaffe airfield at Tricqueville, France as their primary.
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4 July 1943
The aircraft factories at Le Mans and Nantes, France and the lock gates and harbour facilities at La Pallice, France are the primary targets for this mission. The mission is comprised of three elements:
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Places
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Military site : airfield
Grafton Underwood was built in 1941 by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd. It was the first airfield in England to receive an Eighth Air Force flying unit, when in May 1942 personnel of the 15th Bomb Squadron took up residence. As a satellite airfield for...
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Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Crashed |
Wargrave, Reading RG10, UK |
13 November 1943 |