100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (J.M.B.)

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 17:47:32 GMT

Hi,

in the book "Flak units in Bremen during WWII"Â´(original title:"Die bremische Flugabwehr im 2.Weltkrieg")written by Reinhold Thiel,I found a Fortress crashed at UPHUSEN.UPHUSEN is in VERDEN county and the border to MAHNDORF ,a part of BREMEN.Wich one is the correct crashlocation?
IÂ´m sure I speak about the same A/C.

Jens-Michael

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (obermehnen1)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:01:22 GMT

Dear Listers,
Thanks so much for all of the tips, help, and suggestions. I have been able to find the bomber crew I was looking for and, even better, help a friend at the same time. I really appreciate the time and effort, and the spirit of camaraderie you showed. You guys are the best!

Gratefully,
Nathan Giles

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (vic-513)

Sat, 12 Feb 2005 14:29:36 GMT

The letters UX are the squadron indentification letters. In this case, they indicate the 327th Squadron. The T is the call letter for that particular AC.

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (obermehnen1)

Sat, 12 Feb 2005 12:34:38 GMT

Dear Ron,
I am 99.999% sure that this is the correct aircraft. I saw the pictures of the wreckage today. One last question should confirm everything. Just from observations, I would wager that the two big letters just to the front of the tail and rudder assembly belong to a unique aircraft ID#. The letters UX can be seen in the photo, and your last email had B-17F-30-DL 42-3165 UX- 92BG 327BS. Does this definitely clinch the plane's identity?

I was wondering if the single letter on the opposite side of the aircraft at waist level means anything specific. On this craft it is either a T or an I, but the bottom can't be seen due to the angle of the photo.

Did you find your description of the crash in a MACR? If so, is it available online so that I can print out a copy?

Thanks once again for all of the help. It really means alot to my friend to finally know that 3 men, not one, escaped from both the crash and from the POW camps they were sent to. We found that on the NARA POW site. He was so happy that he literally jumped for joy! He says that his life is now connected to many different parts of America due to the brave crewmen he watched as a boy. I hope it helps him lay some of his inner demons to rest.

Nathan

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (ron_R)

Sat, 12 Feb 2005 00:01:26 GMT

B-17F-30-DL 42-3165 UX- 92BG 327BS

2lt Hugh Dougherty Jr P KIA
2lt Vincent H Gordey CP KIA
2lt Samual Koberlak N KIA
2lt Paul L Marchall Jr B POW
s/sgt Robert L Cox TTG KIA
s/sgt Raymond W Barnes POW
s/sgt Henry J Davis BTG KIA
s/sgt David H Rood LWG KIA
s/sgt Edward E Lantosca RWG POW
s/sgt Robert A Valdez TG KIA

MARC 1385
t/o Podington
target Bremen

on the bombrun the no. was hit and the left wing caught fire
the aircraft went into a flat spin after an explosian in the cockpitarea but ther pilots managed to level off before the nose section seperated from the aircraft wich then exploded in mid-air
parts were scattered over a wide area the main section crasched at 1156 hrs into a farmhouse along the railway track at Mahndoef between Bremen and Verden, southeast of Bremen
the germans recovered 7 bodies from the wreckage

this is the info i have

if this is not the plane let me know will look furder then

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (obermehnen1)

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 19:07:25 GMT

Ron,
Thanks for the quick reply! That could be the right plane, since Mahndorf is on the border between Bremen and Achim. I know the area well. I would estimate plus/minus one mile from Achim, and it has a train station. Do you happen to know the serial number, bomber group or squadron of the downed plane? The list I have only shows one plane lost by the 100th on Nov 26, 1943. Is the one you found from another bomber group? The German logbooks only record one plane shot down at that site, and their mapping system is very specific. What can I do to find the crew list, if this is the correct B-17? Thanks for the help!

Nathan

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (PJP51)

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 16:13:30 GMT

ron,

You're right ! Should have checked the book...

Paul

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (ron_R)

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 15:38:20 GMT

the B-17G-5-BO 42-31215 100BG 349BS crashed near Laneuville (F)
target was Paris
2 KIA 5 POW 3EVD
MARC 1394

i found 1 plane who was shot down on 1156 hrs and crashed at Mahndoef, between Bremen and Verder south east of Bremen
is this your plane?

RE: 100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (PJP51)

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 15:25:37 GMT

Have you tried the 100BG Message Board at http://www.100thbg.com/index.htm ?

Paul

100th BG Nov 26, 1943 Bremen B-17 loss (obermehnen1)

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 15:20:33 GMT

Can anyone tell me where exactly 42-31215 was shot down? A friend of mine watched a B-17 go down on 26 Nov, 1943 near Bremen when he was 6 years old. The plane we are searching for went down roughly 4 miles SE of Bremen near a town called Achim, located on the railway between Bremen and Hannover at 11:56 a.m. I have been able to narrow down the choices using Missing Air Crew Reports, but over 20 B-17s from various BGs and Squadrons were lost. Do any logbooks or action reports exist which show exactly where the 100th plane went down? Thanks for any help you might offer.