UPL 65231

IMAGE

By downloading this image, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions

July 4, 1943, Mission No. 71 to LeMans, France, wreckage of B-17F 42-29960 "NYMOKYMI" 544th Bomb Squad, 384th Bomb Group, code SU-J. The B-17 was hit by flak over Le Mans after releasing its bombs. The plane turned North, and was hit again in the #4 engine, and the prop would not feather. The oxygen system was punctured, and Erickson gave the signal to bail out. The plane was ultimately brought down by an Me109. Roger Cornevin-Haydon, a French citizen, was in a stadium watching the airstrike, and saw the B-17 smoking, at low altitude, and witnessed the crew bail out near a small town. The French citizens arrived before the Germans, and aided the crew.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units

People

Man in WWII-era Air Force uniform posed standing outdoors in front of a brick building.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-734698
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
Pieces of metal wreckage strewn across a field
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Pieces of metal wreckage strewn across a field
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32281820
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer, Top Turret
Pieces of metal wreckage strewn across a field
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
Pieces of metal wreckage strewn across a field
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

Locations

Mission

Revisions

Date:
Contributoracbernstein1
ChangesChanges to Related Units, Caption and Related People
Date:
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

Photos of the crash site taken July 5, 1943, by Roger Cornevin-Hayton.  https://photos.384thbombgroup.com/picture.php?/88783/category/Erickson_G