42-72873 Raggedy Ann II, Star Spangled Hell
Added photo crew
A) On 4 October 1943, B-24D Serial #42-72873 of 44th Bomb Group, 67th Bomb Squadron was flying a Diversion over the North Sea, feigning attacks toward Wilhelmshaven and Emden. The purpose was to draw German fighters from the B-17 formations on their big attack on the factory complexes of Frankfurt, Germany.
42-72873 was attacked head-on by 4 enemy aircraft over the North Sea and was severely damaged. It was seen to go into a spin. Pilot Robert G. Stamos gave the order to bail out.
Navigator John A. Must and Bombardier Donald G. Campbell left the plane over the North Sea and were lost. They are still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
Using their AFCE (automatic pilot) equipment, Pilot Stamos and Co-Pilot Howard W. Metts managed later to get back the control of the ship and brought the B-24 and the remaining crew back to England. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 5149.
B) On the secret Carpetbagger mission to supply the French Resistance in arms and materiel (Mission “Ventriloquist 35”) on the night of 4-5 July 1944, B-24 #42-72873 was attacked above Artenay, North of Orleans, by a German Me110 fighter and shot down, Hptm Fritz Söthe of II.4/NJG4 being credited for its loss. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 6990.
According to a statement in MACR 6990, 42-72873 was the only aircraft on that secret Carpetbagger mission. Co-Pilot Edward Tappan was the sole survivor of the 8-man crew and managed to evade capture.
Seven crew were Killed In Action (KIA) : Pilot John O. Broten; Navigator Roy C. Gehue; Bombardier Alfred C. Emert; Radio Operator William Freidkas; Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Harry L. Sparks; Left Waist Gunner Jessie R. Ellis; Tail Gunner Michael J. Pranzetelli.
A plaque to their memory was inaugurated on 14 August 1994 in Trancrainville in the presence of Co-Pilot Edward Tappan. It is located on a wall left to the entrance of the local cemetery.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-1574610 and 32206722 on enlisting
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734422
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 801st Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 18098768
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 801st Bomb Group 850th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 14132120 and O-688180
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Pathway
Missions
- Date: 4 July 1944
- Date: 4 October 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Battle-damaged |
4 October 1943 | B-24 #42-72873 "Raggedy Ann II" was attacked head on by enemy fighters. Badly damaged, the plane begin to spin down and when Stamos gave the order to bail out, Navigator John A. Must and Bombardier Donald G. Campbell jumped out and drowned in the North Sea. Stamos and his Co-Pilot Howard W. Metts later regained control of the plane and managed to fly it back to England. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 5149. 2 MIA, 8 returned. | |
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Trancrainville, Eure-et-Loir, France | 5 July 1944 | Shot down by German fighter in the night of 4-5 July 1944. Crashed near Trancrainville, Eure-et-Loir, France |
Revisions
MACR 5149 / MACR 6990 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database