40-2053

Delivered RAF [AN522] as part of Lend-Lease; 90 Squadron [WP-J] Polebrook 3-May41; t/o West Raynham, Nfk, flew in to heavy cloud and crashed 10m north of Catterick Bridge, Yorks. UK 22-Jun-41; with F/O John Hawley, Lt Bradley*, J. Humpherson, Sq Ldr David Robson, Horace Black, George Garwood, T. Willis (RCAF) (7 Killed in Action); F/l Steward (Returned to Duty); First B-17 lost in WWII; Struck Off Charge 9-Jul-41. (Survivor Steward, an RAF doctor, reported when ship entered heavy cloud it began to shake violently, pilot lost control as the bomber entered a steep dive, and at about 25,00 ft structural failure became evident. First the port wing detached itself, followed by the gradual break up of the fuselage, the rear section falling slowly, thus Steward was able to make his escape.)

Connections

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

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

RAF Polebrook 3 May 1941 90 Squadron RAF

Crashed

Catterick Bridge, Yorkshire, UK 22 June 1941

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

B-17 Flying Fortress Story - Roger Freeman

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Removed block number from serial number

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 18-Feb-2015. All changes based on "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Roger A Freeman with David Osborne.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log