Carl William Dittus

Military

Damaged by flak over the target of Frankfurt, GR on 20 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-31381 'Jaynee B' fell behind and was forced to ditch in the Channel. Prisoner of War (POW).



Earlier, 29 December 1943 accident in B-17 #42-30765 'Chug-a-lug' on a slow-time flight. AC landed in small field hitting some trees while landing in Wiltshire. Bill Ridley crew. 5 RTD.



POW

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.

381st Bomb Group

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

People

Harold H Reynolds

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Lieutenant B.B. Ridley of the 381st Bomb Group with the Mayor and Mayoress of Bermondsey, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Starr after they inspected a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31761) nicknamed "Rotherhithe's Revenge" 16 February 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Bermondsey Names Its Fourth Fortress "Rotherhithe's Revenge". Photo Shows:- The Mayor and Mayoress of Bermondsey, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Starr, leaving the Fortress after inspecting it. Helping them is the pilot, Lt. B.B. Ridley, of Oklahoma City, Okl

Bill B Ridley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-30765

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Chug a Lug IV
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron

42-31381

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jaynee B
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Barth, Germany 30 March 1944 Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12

Died

17 March 1980

Born

Ohio

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a POW event and a S/N from WW2 POW records at the National Archives (NARA).

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

381st Bomb Group Memorial Association, March 1999; MACR 3315, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol.  I, p. 442 with pix of a/c / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia