searching relatives 42-107225 shotdown Eindhoven 9th August 1944

At this moment I researching 2Lt Horace F.Bradshaw's plane B17 42-107225 of 452BG/731BS shotdown on Mission 116 Eindhoven. His plane was shotdown by FLAK over Eindhoven and crashed near Oirschot. Last year we have found where this plane crashed. I looking forward to get in touch with the families of 2Lt Timothy I.Ahern, 2Lt Horace Bradshaw,Sgt Frank E.Doucette, S/Sgt Alexander Jablonsky, S/Sgt Roy o'Martin and 2Lt George Blanford.  I am very honoured to get in touch already with William Farris, and family of Michael Billey and William J.Kirk. Further if there are members of this forum who can help me with a pic of 42-107225 that would be wonderfull. Also I am still looking after the nickname and Radiocall sign of 42-107225. Further all the relevated info about this plane and crew are more than welcome.
Regards and Many Thanks for looking,
Adrian

Hello Howard,
 
        Many Thanks for your reply and I have send the secretary an email but was coming back for to me an unknown reason.
 
Do you know if 42-107225 has a nickname and what was the radiocall sign of this plane??
 
Regards,
Adrian

Lt. Horace Bradshaw was my cousin, and I would like to have more information on the crash.  I have read his debriefing reports along with some other official reports.  Thank you for any information you might share.
Carol

phillycousin

Lt. Horace Bradshaw was my cousin, and I would like to have more information on the crash.  I have read his debriefing reports along with some other official reports.  Thank you for any information you might share.
Carol

 
2Lt Horace F. Bradshaw was assigned to the 731st BS, 452d BG Deopham Green.  Lt Bradshaw was flying his 8th mission on Wednesday morning the 9th of August 1944.  The mission was Eindhoven Airfield.  Enroute to the target the Wing encountered bad weather ad in an attempt to go under the overcast the 452nd BG encountered the outer flak defenses of Liege.  A/C 42-107225 was hit by flak and fell behind the formation.  It was last seen at approximately 5110W-0520E.
Teh following infomration is provided concerning the accident from US records:  On 9 August 1944 at approximately 1017, at an altitude of 24,000 feet A/C 42-107225 was hit by flak.  The entire crew bailed out between 5000 ft and 1500 ft.  The following crew members were captured:  2Lt Timothy ahren, 2Lt William Farris;  2Lt George Blanford, S/Sgt Michael Billey, S/Sgt alexander P. Jablonski, and S/Sgt William J. Kirk.  The crew members evaded:  2Lt Horace f. Bradshaw, S/Sgt Roy O. Martin and Sgt Frank Doucette.  Lt Bradshaw and Sgt Doucette were picked up by the Dutch underground and met that night.  They stayed in hiding in the woods near Lierop where they actively engaged in sabotage operations, capture of German soldiers, etc.  On the morning of 19 September 1944 the German troops were in full retreat as the Allies moved North.  Sgt Doucette with three Dutch Resistance fighters planned to create havoc among the Germans.  They were at a strategic spot in the woods when they were surprised by a German patrol.  In the skirmish Sgt Doucette was killed outright by rifle bullets to the head and stomach.  Doutch resistance returned fire and the Germans patrol left.  That evening Sgt Doucette was taken away and carried by Lt Bradshaw to a grave in the local churchyard.  Father Fenzelaer said prayers and on the morning of September 20, 1944 mass was celebrated in the chapel.  Lt Bradshaw continued to fight with the Dutch Resistance until liberated by allied forces. 

Hi, Ad.
 
This is Don, SSGT Michael Billey's son.  The plan designated 42-107225 was called the Jonny Reb.  I've also seen it written as the Johnny Reb.  You and I have been in contact, but not for a while.  Do you believe now that you have discovered the crash site of this aircraft?
 
-DB-