42-3509 Crystal Ball

A P-47 Thunderbolt (HV-A) of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group 'buzzes' a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3509) of the 100th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Gabreski buzzing 100th B.G. 23509, MIA 18/3/44.' media-407335.jpg FRE 4077 A P-47 Thunderbolt (HV-A) of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group 'buzzes' a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3509) of the 100th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Gabreski buzzing 100th B.G. 23509, MIA 18/3/44.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4077 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (HV-A) of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group 'buzzes' a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3509) of the 100th Bomb...

Delivered Denver 15/7/43; Redmond, Or, 15/8/43; Assigned 511BS/351BG [DS-Z] Polebrook 25/9/43; Missing in Action 12m Brunswick 30/1/44 with Chas Robertson, Co-pilot: Bob Robbins, Navigator: Milton Kaplan, Bombardier: Earl Holmes, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Henry James, Radio Operator: Bill Delaney, Ball turret gunner: Lloyd Gabriel, Waist gunner: Norris Stewart,Tail gunner: Earl Winburn (9 Prisoner of War); Waist gunner: Emil Ambrose (KIA-chute failed); flak ko’d #4, although four P-47s turned up to escort him home, Robertson crashed near kerosene harbor, Enschede, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 2262. CRYSTAL BALL.

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

Emil F Ambrose

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

William R Delaney

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Lloyd M Gabriel

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18065351
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Earl E Holmes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Henry L James

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 30 January 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorDouglas P
Changes
Sources

Lloyd Gabriel

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2262 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-3509: Gallery (1 items)

A P-47 Thunderbolt (HV-A) of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group 'buzzes' a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3509) of the 100th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Gabreski buzzing 100th B.G. 23509, MIA 18/3/44.'

Object number: FRE 4077 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (HV-A) of the 61st Fighter...