42-31721 Black Magic

media-30934.jpeg UPL 30934 Major David Wheeler alongside the noseart of B-17 42-31721 Black Magic 351BG, 8AF.

https://www.fold3.com/image/55660506

Object Number - UPL 30934 - Major David Wheeler alongside the noseart of B-17 42-31721 Black Magic 351BG, 8AF.

Delivered Denver 10/12/43; Kearney 24/12/43; Assigned 510BS/351BG [TU-S] Polebrook 29/1/44; 36m Missing in Action Dessau 28/5/44 with Clyde McClelland, Co-pilot: Dick Francis, Navigator: John Duncan, Bombardier: George Kiely, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Louis Poole, Radio Operator: Leon Kriesky, Ball turret gunner: Nathan Williams, Waist gunner: Junior Edwards (8 Prisoner of War); Tail gunner: Leroy Cruse (KIA- when in chute shot by civilian); enemy aircraft KOd #1 and #2 on return, then lost a third, crashed Mernes, five miles E of Bad Orb, 25 miles SW of Fulda, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 5334. BLACK MAGIC.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.

351st Bomb Group

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

People

Leroy Desmond Cruse

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37047568
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

John B Duncan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-683230
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Junior Hugh Edwards

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16072702
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Richard Edward Francis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-746322
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

George Francis Kiely

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-747591
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

18500 E 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80011, USA 10 December 1943 Delivered Denver AAF 10-Dec-43.

Assigned

Polebrook, Peterborough PE8 5LN, UK 29 January 1944 Assigned 510BS, 351BG, 8AF USAAF.

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

Mernes, 63628 Bad Soden-Salmünster, Germany 28 May 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) Dessau enemy aircraft KOd #1 and #2 on return, then lost a third, crashed Mernes, five miles E of Bad Orb, 25 miles SW of Fulda; 8 x POW, 1 x KIA MACR 5334

Manufactured

Seattle, WA, USA Built at Boeing.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28643527
Mission 376: Battle Over the Reich, May 28, 1944 By Ivo de Jong

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28643527
Mission 376: Battle Over the Reich, May 28, 1944 By Ivo de Jong

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5334 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31721: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 30934 - Major David Wheeler alongside the noseart of B-17...