42-102560 The Thomper

media-19332.jpeg UPL 19332 B-17G-55-BO Flying Fortress 42-102560 'The Thomper' 334th BS, 95th BG, 8th AF Lost on the November 30,1944 mission to Merseburg, Germany. 5 KIA, 4 POW MACR 10840.
In the photo above from the 7th October 1944 the plane is under attack by German fighters and the tail gunner [William Ling] is returning fire. Note the damage in the right wing and wisps of fire starting to show.

The crew on that day were.
- Pilot: Lt. Nelson E. Day
- Co-Pilot: Lt. John J. Ferreter
- Navigator: Lt. George C. Hood
- Bombardier: Lt. Everett D. Andrews
- Radio Operator: T/Sgt. Bernard Cooper

- Top Turret Gunner: T/Sgt. David C. McQueen
- Ball Turret Gunner: S/Sgt. James E. Minaghan
- Waist Gunner: S/Sgt. Esker S. Downing
- Tail Gunner: S/Sgt. William Ling
Research done by Jing Zhou from https://b17flyingfortress.de/en

Research done by Jing Zhou from https://b17flyingfortress.de/en

Object Number - UPL 19332 - B-17G-55-BO Flying Fortress 42-102560 'The Thomper' 334th BS, 95th BG, 8th AF Lost on the November 30,1944 mission to Merseburg, Germany. 5 KIA, 4...

Delivered Cheyenne 14/3/44; Gr Island 1/4/44; Dow Fd 8/4/44; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-X] Horham 11/4/44; 62m, Missing in Action Merseburg 30/11/44 with Chas Wicker, Co-pilot: Alf Rivas, Navigator: Fred Johnson, Bombardier: Warren Briggs, Radio Operator: Gordon Bryce (5 Killed in Action); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Robinson, Ball turret gunner: Jim Knighton, Waist gunner: Don Dale,Tail gunner: Ed Kobley (4 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Merseburg, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 10840. THE THOMPER.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-772021
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 3rd Air Division 13th Combat Bomb Wing 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-810870
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Black and white arial shot of 3 aircraft runways and building surrounded by open fields
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Godfrey Army Airfield : Bangor Army Airfield : Dow AF Base

Missions

  • Date: 30 November 1944
  • Date: 29 November 1944
  • Date: 26 November 1944
  • Date: 16 November 1944
The B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50468) nicknamed "Sleeping Dynamite" of the 93rd Bomb Group flies over countryside with a formation of fellow Liberators. First handwritten caption on reverse: 'Photo ex a/c 617 11/11/44. Archer.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '1044/R.F. 93BG Libs on way to enemy target 11/11/44.'
  • Date: 11 November 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

30 November 1944 - 30 November 1944 Missing in Action Merseburg 30/11/44. Cause flak, crashed Merseburg, Germany. (4 x POW, 5 x KIA) Missing Air Crew Report MACR 10840.

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.

Date
Contributormdgtmstng
Changes
Sources

95th BG Memorial Foundation, and Ed Grossheim

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 10840 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-102560: Gallery (3 items)