42-29745 Pappys Hellions II

Delivered Denver 12/2/43; Salina 2/3/43; Assigned 364BS/305BG [WF-M] Chelveston 16/4/43; Missing in Action Lorient 17/5/43 with Capt Varney Cline, Co-pilot: Dave Cox, Navigator: Sid Lovitt, Bombardier: Joe Adams, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lyle Colby (5 Returned to Duty); Radio Operator: Henry Kowalik, Ball turret gunner: Ed Sturges, Waist gunner: Alex McKinney, Waist gunner: Vernon Careing,Tail gunner: Joe Penfield (5 Killed in Action); flak KO’d two engines then shot down by enemy aircraft crashed Channel, about 25 miles off Plymouth, Devon. Missing Air Crew Report 15545.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.

305th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Joseph A Adams

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Vernon H Careins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35275979
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
A bomber crew of the 305th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lallah-V" that belly landed on the runway. From left to right they are: First Lieutenant Karl H. Brauer, Navigator, from Indianapolis; Major J. Lawrence Smith co-pilot, from Carpinteria, California; Second Lieutenant Magnus G. Bolken, Operations Officer, from Arnegard, North Dakota; First Lieutenant Robert D. Metcalf, Bombardier, from Sacramento, California; Staff Sergeant John F. Hill, Asst radio operator, from Valhalla, New

Varney D Cline

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-662747
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Lyle G Colby

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

David C Cox

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW)

English Channel 17 May 1943

Revisions

Date
Contributorsturgj
Changes
Sources

Uncle Edward Sturges letter to mother with photo of crew of Pappys Hellions, Lt. Cline pilot AC#229537. Advised not AC Edward was in when he was lost. Chicago AP newspaper article June 4, 1943 cites aircraft piloted by Lt. Varney Cline was named Pappys Hellions II and the aircraft on which my uncle Edward Sturges was lost. Also, William Donald advised me that his book "JOHN BURN ONE-ZERO-FIVE..." had a photo of my uncle's aircraft at page 71 showing AC#42-297445 Pappys Hellions II which was lost May 17, 1943 with the Varney D Cline crew. 5 bailed out in sight of land and lost and 5 over land and returned to duty. A photo of the 5 survivors of the May 17 raid is also on page 71 at the bottom of the page.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15545 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database