I am looking for any infomation of links to the 493rd BG-860th BS for late 1944 and 1945.  My grandfather was a co-pilot on a B-17G that was shot down over Merseburg on 11-30-44.  If anyone has any information for aircraft #43-38739 please feel free to contact me.  He is recently deceased and we are trying to fill in any holes in the stories he told us as children.  There is very little documentation for this squadron and any help is truly appreciated!
 

Cory O'Blenness- Grandson of Co-Pilot of 43-38739, Lyle I O'Blenness. 493rd.860th

The following info is from B-17 Flying Fortress Story-Freeman:  Del Lincoln, 14/9/44; Grenier 22/9/44; ass 493BG Debach 1/10/44; b/d Merseburg 30/11/44 w/?; sal 22/12/44.
 
Helton's Hellcats - A Pictorial History of The 493rd Bomb Group by Bowman does NOT list it as a COMBAT Aircraft Loss.  For the Merseburg Mission (# 88) there wer NO combat losses although there was one lost on Mission #84 as well as #85 which were also to Merseburg.  Helton's states:  FTR 30 Nov 44 SAL 22 dec 44.  
 
PS  b/d = battle damage and FTR = Failed to Return. 
 
Best I can do.   Craig

Cory-
Bits and Pieces lists # 43 - 38739
11/30/44 - Crash Landed in Belgium
12/22/44 -  Salvaged ( Unrepairable )
Mike

Cory,
 
The fate of "43-38739" was subject of posts just last month. Mr Alain from Belgium initiated the thread.
The B-17 made a crash landing near the town of Roeselare (called "Roulers" in reports then) in the SW of Belgium.
Perhaps you can refer to those posts for a full update?
 
Regards,
 
Leendert
Brugge/Belgium

Thank you Craig,
 
I am still digging and the information helps.  It matches what I had so far, but I hope to dig up a little more if possible.  Thanks for the help and let me know if something pops up.
 
Sincerely,
Cory

Cory O'Blenness- Grandson of Co-Pilot of 43-38739, Lyle I O'Blenness. 493rd.860th

Leendert,
 
Thank you for the reply and the information.  I have indeed been in contact with Alain and he has been very helpful as you can see.  I am hoping to find some photographic evidence or some other records for the plane.  If you happen to come across anything, please keep me in mind.  Do you have any recommendations from the Belgium end as far as archives or other data sources? 
 
Regards,
 
Cory

Cory O'Blenness- Grandson of Co-Pilot of 43-38739, Lyle I O'Blenness. 493rd.860th

Thank you Mike,
 
It has been hard to find much information due to it being listed as "FTR" as well as being one of the last bomer groups to enter the war.  If you have any helpful recommendations as to data sources and archived information, it would be very helpful.  Keep me in mind and thank you again!
 
Cory

Cory O'Blenness- Grandson of Co-Pilot of 43-38739, Lyle I O'Blenness. 493rd.860th

Hello Cory,
 
Somehow I missed your posting back in December about your grandfather 2nd LT Lyle I O'Blenness who was assigned to the 493rd BG/860th BS.  Well, better late than never.
 
Your dad and his crew reported to the 493rd BG and were assigned to the 860th BS on 23 Sep 1944.  The crew members were as follows:
 
2nd LT Eugene B. MILLER - pilot
2nd LT Lyle I O'Blenness - co-pilot
2nd LT Erick R. OSLIN - navigator
2nd LT Lester H. SWANSON - bombardier
Cpl Edward BEIMEL Jr - armorer/gunner
Cpl Frank A. BURNS - flight engineer/gunner
Cpl Max E. DOPSON - gunner
Cpl William V. HOSSON - flight engineer/gunner
Cpl Richard KINNEY - gunner
Cpl Gerald R. ORSLEY - gunner
 
I have 4 rolls of microfilm that contain documents from the 493rd BG.  Now that I know your grandfather's pilot's last name, I should be able to track all his missions.  I might also be able to find additional information of his being shot down on 30 Nov 1944.
 
It didn't take me too long to find the following information:
 
2nd LT Lyle I. O'Blenness was promoted to 1st LT on 25 Jan 1945
 
1st LT Lyle I. O'Blenness was released to the Zone of Interior on 21 Feb 1945 after completing 33 missions.  This means he would be heading back to the U.S.
 
Contact me directly if you would like any additional information.
 
Take care,
 
 

David Schmitt
d.schmitt@prodigy.net
son of 1st LT Donald J. Schmitt, USAAF, co-pilot
assigned to 493rd BG/863rd BS at Debach, England
from Nov 1944 thru May 1945

Good morning David,
 
Sorry I missed your post this weekend.  I really appreciate any information that you have in regards to my grandfather.  Any information that you have in regards to the whole squardron would help me out.  I am trying to put some stuff together for a memorial service in July.  Anything that you can pass along would really help.  I am just trying to piece together a "history" of his time in England.  There is no information that is too small.  Let me know if there is anything you can help me with.
 
Best regards,
 
Cory O'Blenness

Cory O'Blenness- Grandson of Co-Pilot of 43-38739, Lyle I O'Blenness. 493rd.860th

Hello Cory,
 
I just sent you an e-mail message.
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
 

David Schmitt
d.schmitt@prodigy.net
son of 1st LT Donald J. Schmitt, USAAF, co-pilot
assigned to 493rd BG/863rd BS at Debach, England
from Nov 1944 thru May 1945