Crash Belgium # 42-31388

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Crash Belgium # 42-31388

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Alain Total Posts : 519 Reward points : 0 Joined: 08/23/2006 Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 10/10/2006 02:32:08 AM Hi , B-17 42-31388 came down in Belgium on february 12 1944 , the pilot of the ship was Lt Geno D Betta - MACR 2527. Who can help me with the names and fate of the crewmembers. Alain

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RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 10/10/2006 07:57:37 AM

Alain,

Project Bits and Pieces shows 42-31388 going down on 11 March 1944.

Crew list:
Lt Geno DiBetta (P) EVD
2Lt Earl J. Wolf Jr (CP) EVD
Lt Raymond F. Feilback (N) POW
Lt Jerroll E. Sanders (B) POW
T/Sgt Fortunato V. Chiccarli (TT) POW
T/Sgt Clyde E. Hewitt Jr (RO) EVD
S/Sgt James H. Coleman (BT) KIA
S/Sgt Leonard F. Bergeron (LW) EVD
S/Sgt Guy H. Golden (RW) EVD
S/Sgt Eldo C. Weseloh (TG) EVD

Vic

Alain Total Posts : 519 Reward points : 0 Joined: 08/23/2006 Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 10/11/2006 12:59:24 AM Thanks Vic Alain

PhilSave Total Posts : 180 Reward points : 183 Joined: 07/05/2005 Location: IXELLES BELGIUM Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/10/2008 05:50:58 PM Do you know aboute the crash location? Phil Phil in Belgium

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RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/10/2008 06:21:36 PM

Phil,

That MACR is available on Footnote, search under 42-31388. The opening page of the report says only 'near the coast of France'. Various statements in the report say, Amyville, another says Beauvais, but most likely is Clermont about 50 miles north of Paris, it is mentioned several times. Most also refer to the Department of Oise. Of course that's still a fair distance from the coast.

Hal

shooshoobaby Total Posts : 4007 Reward points : 644 Joined: 01/28/2006 Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/10/2008 06:24:59 PM Phil - Crew bailed out NW of Saarbrucken - some drifted quite a way. A French Underground Unit led by a French Canadian took 2 of them , Lt. Wolf and Sgt. Bergeron to St. Clair where they met 3 other Crewmen. From: First Over Germany by Russell Strong Pages 204 - 206. Mike

Alain Total Posts : 519 Reward points : 0 Joined: 08/23/2006 Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/11/2008 01:39:54 AM Hi Phil , I had Mons Belgium as crashsite. Greets Alain

PhilSave Total Posts : 180 Reward points : 183 Joined: 07/05/2005 Location: IXELLES BELGIUM Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/11/2008 03:48:50 AM According to different sources ,I have it crashed: Near Genk,Belgium Quevy area ,south of Mons,Belgium Inval-Boiron (Somme, France). Make rour choice !!!! Phil Phil in Belgium

shooshoobaby Total Posts : 4007 Reward points : 644 Joined: 01/28/2006 Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/11/2008 11:23:53 AM Phil - According to Lt. Wolf , the B - 17 was on Auto Pilot - he was last one to Bail out. As he was coming down , in the distance he saw the B - 17 explode in the Air. He landed in woods NW of Saarbrucken. Mike

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RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/11/2008 12:21:46 PM

OK gentlemen I am totally confused here. I have reviewed over 30 pages of the MACR and other than the crew list the only thing that agrees with what has been posted here is the pilot's statement that they left formation at Saarbrucken. Pilot statement went on to say the crash location was Beauvais, France. Numerous references throughout the MACR to French doctors, French hospitals, Sgt Chiccarli taken to a hospital in Paris, Sgt Coleman buried in cemetary at Beauvais-Marissel. Unless my geography is way off it's a fair distance from Saarbrucken to Belgium and not exactly the most direct route back to England. If any of you can put this into perspective for me I would surely appreciate it.

Hal

shooshoobaby Total Posts : 4007 Reward points : 644 Joined: 01/28/2006 Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/11/2008 05:33:49 PM One of the keys may be that 5 of the Crew were taken to the Village of St. Clair where they boarded a Train to Paris. Where is St. Clair ? Mike

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RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/11/2008 06:37:01 PM

Mike,

There are several St Clairs in France but the relevant one is in the Department of Oise (which is mentioned several times in the MACR) which is the same Department as Beauvais. St Claire is about 20 miles north of Beauvais. Beauvais is about 40 miles north of Paris. Beauvais is where the pilot's statement in the MACR said the plane crashed and it is also where the ball turret gunner was buried.

Hal

PhilSave Total Posts : 180 Reward points : 183 Joined: 07/05/2005 Location: IXELLES BELGIUM Status: offline	Reply to message Message Options RE: Crash Belgium # 42-31388 - 03/12/2008 02:31:32 PM Hello all, I found a Saint-Clair at position 49° 44'43 25" N 1° 24'50 25"E Saint-Clair is 29km SW of Inval-Boiron which I have as the crash site Inval-Boiron is 54km NW of Beauvais Phil Phil in Belgium

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