42-29657

media-46215.jpeg UPL 46215 Back Row - Left to Right T/Sgt. Andrew Muzik, Radio (POW 21 May 43); 2nd Lt. Ed Reynolds, Bombardier; 1st Lt. Norm Retchin, Pilot (POW 21 May 43); 2nd Lt. Stan Dahlman, Co-pilot (KIA 17 Aug 43); 2nd Lt. Bob Paulson, Navigator
Front Row - Left to Right S/Sgt. Joe Wing, Waist Gunner (KIA 21 May 43); S/Sgt. Charles Huber, Waist Gunner (POW 21 May 43); T/Sgt. Elmer Kalfsbech, Top Turret Gunner (POW 21 May 43); S/Sgt. Cloren Meade, Ball Turret Gunner (POW 21 May 43); S/Sgt. John Conrad, Tail Gunner (POW 21 May 43)

Retchin's Wretches - This crew joined the 323rd Squadron 4 April 1943 and posed for this photo on 9 April 1943. It was the third replacement crew to arrive in the 323rd. It was part of the Harris Provisional Group that arrived in England in mid-March. They had traveled the Southern route and left the states on 27 Feb 1943. This was the 59th crew trained at Bovingdon in March 1943. The crews were distributed among the original combat groups. The crew posed in front of 42-29559 (Stupntakit). They were flying in s/n 657 when seven of these crewmen were shot down over Wilhelmshaven on 21 May 1943. Lt. Dahlman was KIA on the Schweinfurt Raid 17 Aug 1943 flying on Stupntakit.

Object Number - UPL 46215 - Back Row - Left to Right T/Sgt. Andrew Muzik, Radio (POW 21 May 43); 2nd Lt. Ed Reynolds, Bombardier; 1st Lt. Norm Retchin, Pilot (POW 21 May 43);...

Delivered Cheyenne 30/1/43; Salina 12/2/43; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-X] Bassingbourn 26/3/43; Missing in Action Wilhemshafen 21/5/43 with Norman Retchin, Co-pilot: John Lamberson, Navigator: Morris Floyd, Bombardier: John Byrnes, Radio Operator: Andy Muzik, Ball turret gunner: Cloren Meade, Waist gunner: Chas Huber, Waist gunner: Elmer Kalfsbeck, Tail gunner: John Conard (9 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Joe Wing (Killed in Action); shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed Warnsath, four miles NW of Wittmund, W of Wilhelmshafen, Ger. No MACR.

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-733272
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6146062
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

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