I am trying to document the crash of the aircraft that killed the following personnel on 2 April 1942.
Gregor, Raymond       Sgt           Aerial Gunner
Harkess, George C     2Lt            Navigator
Knox, Owen B            PFC          Radio Operator
Lewellyn, Norman J     Major       
Paounoff, James C      PFC          Flight Engineer
Parsel, Elmer L           Capt         Pilot
Paul, Duke M              2Lt            Co-Pilot
Spreng, Robert P        2Lt            Bombardier
Stokes, Willie T          PFC          Aerial Gunner
 
I have tried to obtain a copy of the MACR but it appears none was prepared.  I did a Google search on a couple of names and found some information in the book 7th Bombardment Group/Wing, 1918-1995 by Robert F Dorr.  Page 119 of this book is displayed as having all the information pertaining to this crew and mishap, but it will not display on the screen.  I was wondering if anyone had this book and could scan this page for me.  I would appreciate any assistance.  Also, Major Norman J Lewellyn is not listed as a crewmember but is buried in the same grave at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery as the rest of the crew.  Was he an observer, ops officer, commander, etc.
 
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
 

Randy Watkins
MSgt, USAF (Ret)

l looked at Gene Salecker's Fortress Against the Sun, and there is no mention of an aircraft loss on 2 April, 1942.

Jim :-) 

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

I saw the article about the 11BG crash
http://books.google.com/books?id=OffcIutYJeIC&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=parsel+elmer+l&source=web&ots=UzB9PBbQbV&sig=EDYpaz18dLSI2v3FUjaBHkqItCU#PPA119,M1
 
I think it meant that Parsel crashed on takeoff, and the next plane behind him (Parsel) was Wade and he did not want to take-off fearing he might crash into the wreckage which lay ahead of him.
 
 
Terry T.

Terry:  I assumed that they crashed on take-off also but was hoping this page also contained the tail number of the aircraft and who Lewellyn was.  Thanks for the assistance.  The left hand side makes reference to Parsel's name five or six times as evidenced by the yellow highlighted areas, but does not supply them.

Randy Watkins
MSgt, USAF (Ret)

Ended up buying the book, 7th Bombardment Group/Wing, 1918-1995 by Robert Dorr and thought I would post the comments for anyone that was concerned.  Other comments in this book shows the tail number as 41-24XX and I have checked all sites with no success in finding the last two digits.  The bad thing is that this book has a picture of the aircraft prior to the crash but you cannot tell what the tail number is and there is also a close-up of Capt Parsel in the cockpit with his arm out the window just above the number, but the picture stops there.  Oh well, can't win them all.
 
:  â€œThe first combat mission mounted by the new Tenth Air Force under Brereton’s command took plane on 2 April 1942, to bomb a Japanese Naval Task Force which was anchored at Port Blair in the Andaman Island, with a secondary target of shipping at Rangoon. The mission plan was for five B-17s to bomb the Japanese ships at Port Blair, and for one B-17 and the LB-30 to bomb the ships at Rangoon.  Following the fifth plane’s takeoff, a B-17 piloted by Captain Elmer L Parsel began its takeoff roll.  Parsel was one of the most seasoned pilots in the combat zone, having gained experience the hard way with the 19th Bomb Group in the Philippines.  Now, Parsel apparently slipped off the runway, perhaps because he forgot to unlock his controls.  There was a stump at the right side of the runway.  Parsel saw it and pulled the nose and wheels clear, but the tail dropped down and snapped the stump, tearing off one of the plane’s elevators.  It rose into the air a hundred feet or so, then arched over into the far side of a gully at right angles to the runway.  Though the bombs did not detonate, the crash killed everyone on board, including Brereton’s aide, Major Llewellyn, who had written home weeks earlier of his “usual luck.”  Brereton would later write to Llewellyn’s wife Betty that the Major was “...the best friend I had.”  Brereton noted that Llewellyn “...was desperately opposed to my taking the attack, but it seemed to me the thing to do.” Behind Parsel, ready for takeoff, was Wade in the sole LB-30.  He saw the destruction and knew he could not risk his own crew by attempting to take off over the burning plane.” 
 

Randy Watkins
MSgt, USAF (Ret)

Hello,

I believe you are looking for B-17E, 41-2411 "Old Miss 11"

have a look at

http://forum.armyairforces.com/m_108467/tm.htm

02-April-1942 crashed take off at Asanol Airfield, West Bengal India

best regards Hartmut

Thanks for the info.  It would appear that this would be the aircraft that I am looking for.  Again, thanks for the help
 

Randy Watkins
MSgt, USAF (Ret)