42-107138 Witka Tanka Ton

media-25615.jpeg UPL 25615 COL Frank P. Hunter, 398th Bomb Group commander, with B-17G-35-DL 'Witka Tanka Ton' 42-107138. COL Hunter flew this aircraft from Rapid City Army Air Base to England, leading deployment of his group to combat in 1944.

Photograph provided by Malcolm Osborn.

Object Number - UPL 25615 - COL Frank P. Hunter, 398th Bomb Group commander, with B-17G-35-DL 'Witka Tanka Ton' 42-107138. COL Hunter flew this aircraft from Rapid City Army Air...

Delivered Tulsa 3/3/44; Rapid City 12/3/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; Assigned 603BS/398BG [N7-T] Nuthampstead 22/4/44, flown over from USA by group CO Col Hunter; (51m) Missing in Action Merseburg 21/11/44 with Paul Rich, Co-pilot: Don McKorkindale, Navigator: Bob Stuart, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Clib Johnson, Ball turret gunner: Jim Ault, Waist gunner: Walt Miller, Tail gunner: Milton Passmore (7 Killed in Action); Bombardier: Earl Kearney, Radio Operator: Bob Rasmussen (2 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Hilburghausen, NE of Gotha, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 11213. WITKA TANKA TON.

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17119512
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 0-8175310
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 21 November 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.

Date
ContributorVon_L
Changes
Sources

COL Frank P Hunter, 398th BG commander, added based on information from 398th BG Association and 'Fortresses Over Nuthampstead' by Cliff Bishop.

Date
ContributorVon_L
Changes
Sources

Airframe history updated based on information & photos from Mr. Malcolm Osborn, the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association (398th BGMA at www.398th.org) and 'Fortresses Over Nuthampstead' by Cliff Bishop.

Date
ContributorVon_L
Changes
Sources

Airframe history as described in 'Fortresses over Nuthampstead' by Cliff Bishop and on the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association website (398th.org).

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 11213 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-107138: Gallery (2 items)