42-3158 Max

Delivered Denver 6/3/43; Morrison 31/3/43; Assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-Y] Molesworth 2/6/43; Missing in Action Hanover 29/4/44 with Jim Fisher, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gus Johnson[body recovered from lake 20/5/44] (2 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: George Franzen, Navigator: Harry Kauffman, Bombardier: S/Sgt Ed Helton, Radio Operator: Don Duncan, Ball turret gunner: Bob Eklund, Waist gunner: Henry Hoff, Waist gunner: Irving Bellitt,Tail gunner: Joe Tereck (8 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft KOd #3 and #4, ship then exploded, crashed in Schwielowsee, W of Caputh, SW of Berlin=Potsdam road, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4471. MAX.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32208988
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38427372
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37554963
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-753783
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Missions

  • Date: 29 April 1944
  • Date: 20 April 1944
  • Date: 13 April 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Crashed/Destroyed

In the air over Hanover. Germany 29 April 1944 Sustained damage between No. 3 and 4 engines, started trailing smoke, and was then attacked by German fighters. Was seen to explode in midair in the vicinity of Hanover, Germany. Two taken prisoner, with the remaining killed. SSgt Samuel C Ros, tail gunner on B-17 42-38051, was the interviewed witness for the missing aircraft report.

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 29 April 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorCastleBren
Changes
Sources

303rd Bomb Group records

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4471 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database