42-32086 You Never Know

French civillians inspect a crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32086) nicknamed "You Never Know" of the 457th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '10/9/44 France.' media-380693.jpg FRE 1887 French civillians inspect a crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32086) nicknamed "You Never Know" of the 457th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '10/9/44 France.' Roger Freeman Collection

Glen Seeber personal papers

Object Number - FRE 1887 - French civillians inspect a crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32086) nicknamed "You Never Know" of the 457th Bomb Group. Handwritten...

Delivered Cheyenne 22/1/44; Kearney 7/2/44; Presque Is 18/2/44; Assigned 401BG Deenethorpe 3/3/44; transferred 749BS/457BG [N] Glatton 5/3/44; battle damaged Mannheim 9/9/44 with Loren Hampton, Co-pilot: Orville Hocker, Navigator: Bob Mattox, Bombardier: Andy Friesen, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Maurice Diehl, Radio Operator: Russ Karl, Ball turret gunner: Thomas Farrell (7 Returned to Duty); Waist Gunner: Mike Pipock and Tail gunner: Glen Seeber (2 Killed in Action); bailed out before ship force landed friendly territory at Joigny, France; returned 11/9/44;



According to one source, probably sustaining battle damage and mixed up with operation to Gaggenau the following day; crash landed between Senan, Neuilly and Champlay, France. Salvaged 15/2/45. YOU NEVER KNOW.

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36482202
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Black and white posed headshot of man wearing WWII-era Air-Force flying gear of leather bomber jacket, white scarf, helmet and goggles.  Goggles are on top of man’s head.  Subject is looking right in lens and is smiling.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-719988
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Black and white portrait of man, posed at an angle, wearing a uniform consisting of a shirt and tie  There is a WWII-era badge of silver wings pinned above the left-side shirt lapel, and an Air Force patch on the left shoulder.  Only the upper torso and head are visible.  The man is looking directly at the camera and is not smiling
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16176838
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17166374
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

89300 Joigny, France 10 September 1944

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

76571 Gaggenau, Germany 10 September 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Removed Alexander McDermott from crew on 10 Sept 1944 as his is not listed in MACR 8904: https://www.fold3.com/image/28737186

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Removed Cliff Digre (BTG), John Brown (WG) , Earl Johnson (CP) and Earl Rinehart (FE/TTG) from crew on 10 Sept 1944 as they are not listed in MACR 8904: https://www.fold3.com/image/28737186

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Name and markings based on associated media.

Additional detail from Watkins, 'Battle Colours, Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the Eighth Air Force in World War II, Bomber Command', pp. 100-101

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8904 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-32086: Gallery (2 items)