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Crash site
The Official Report of Aircraft Accident (A.A.F. Form No. 14) for B-17G 42-31083, Tenny Belle on 11 April 1944. Lists all crew members, reports from ground personnel, the one survivor and official findings.
On 11 April, 1944 at 0900 hours, the plane (B-17G, 42-31083, (379th BG, 525th BS (FR-A)Tenny Belle))) was flying in formation on an operational mission (8th AF #298 (379th BG #95) Sorau, Germany) when the accident took place. The aircraft had approximately 9,000 feet altitude and an air speed of about 115 M.P.H.
The Plane violently lurched from the left to the right and broke in mid air, falling to the ground in two parts. The cause of the accident is undetermined and consequently, responsibility therefore cannot be established.
With exception of the Navigator, William F. Evans, who had his parachute on and was able to get free of the aircraft, all of the other crew members were killed.
In 2018 a memorial-plaque was unveiled inside Barroway Drove Village Hall commemorating the crew's names (from the 'Tenny Belle')
Military | Staff Sergeant | Bombardier / L,R Waist Gunner, Nose Gunner / Togglier | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 25 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) in 42-31083; A/C exploded mid-air near Downham Market, England. Killed in Action (KIA).
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 11 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Sorau, Germany mission 11-Apr-44 'Tenny Belle' exploded in mid-air near Downham Market, England. Killed in Action (KIA). No MACR
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 17 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Sorau, Germany mission 11-Apr-44 'Tenny Belle' exploded in mid-air near Downham Market, England. Sole survivor, blown out of A/C with chute. Wounded in Action (WIA) RTD....
Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 11 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) in 42-31083. A/C exploded mid-air near Downham Market, England. Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 11 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Sorau Germany mission 11-Apr-44 'Tenny Belle' exploded in mid-air near Downham Market, England. Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio man | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USSAF. FTR (FTR) in B-17 42-31083. A/C exploded in mid-air near Downham Market, England Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 11 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Sorau Germany mission 11-Apr-44 'Tenny Belle' exploded in mid-air near Downham Market, England. Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner / Armorer | 379th Bomb Group
Killed in Action (KIA). Plane exploded mid-air near Downham Market, England
...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 11 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) in B-17 42-31083. A/C exploded mid-air near Downham Market, England, navigator survived. Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: AM, PH.
Military | Technical Sergeant | Flight Engineer, Top Turret Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 10 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) in 42-31083. A/C exploded in mid-air near Downham Market, England. Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: AM, PH.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 15/9/43;
...
11 April 1944
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 28 November 2019 12:35:22 | Emily | Changes to history |
| Sources | ||
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/new-war-memorial-at-barroway-drove-1-5814950, link original shared by user Hornchurch in biography for 42-31083 |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 04 February 2018 18:35:25 | TennyBelle | Created entry with name, latitude, longitude, history, person associations, aircraft associations, mission associations and media associations |
| Sources | ||
Report of Aircraft Accident (attached media) and Information on the exact location provided by knowledgeable residents local to the crash site. |
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