42-97214 Carolina Queen

A B-17 Flying Fortress (GD-B, serial number 42-97214) of the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group that has belly-landed. media-413523.jpg FRE 4839 A B-17 Flying Fortress (GD-B, serial number 42-97214) of the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group that has belly-landed. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4839 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (GD-B, serial number 42-97214) of the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group that has belly-landed.

Delivered Cheyenne 8/2/44; Kearney 27/2/44; Grenier 8/3/44; Assigned 534BS/381BG [GD-B] Ridgewell 25/3/44; Missing in Action 2m Berlin 24/5/44 with John Wardencki, Co-pilot: Chas Dayton, Navigator: Willard Blackfield, Bombardier: Bill Morrison, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Warren Backelin, Radio Operator: Bob Miller, Ball turret gunner: Chas Anderson, Waist gunner: George Elliott, Tail gunner: Harry Telzerow (9 Killed in Action); mid air coll, crashed Gratze, 17 miles NE of Berlin, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 5181. CAROLINA QUEEN.

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

Charles Anderson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12010819
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Warren H Backelin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12185779
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Willard Irving Blackfield

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19089846 / O-752599
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Charles Robert Dayton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33718624 / O-755292
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

George S Elliott

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14137549
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Aircraft

42-31698

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Cheyenne AAF, WY 8 February 1944 Delivered Cheyenne AAF 8-Feb-44.

Assigned

Failed to Return (FTR)

Ridgewell, UK 25 March 1944 - 24 May 1944 Assigned 534BS, 381BG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Landing accident

Ridgewell, UK 8 April 1944 Landing accident 8-Apr-44. Belly landing, repaired.

Crashed

17 miles NE Berlin 24 May 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) Berlin with Wardencki crew; Collision with B-17 42-31698 causeing explosion 9 x KIA MACR 5181

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28637758

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5181 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-97214: Gallery (2 items)

A B-17 Flying Fortress (GD-B, serial number 42-97214) of the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group that has belly-landed.

Object number: FRE 4839 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (GD-B, serial number 42...

A B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Carolina Queen" of the 381st Bomb Group after crash landing 8 April 1944. Official caption on image: "51925 AC." Printed caption on reverse: '51925 AC - Better Late Than Never - Five hours after the other ships in the group had returned from a bombing mission over Oldenburg, Germany, April 8, 1944, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Carolina Queen" pilot by Lt. Leslie A. Bond of Chickasha, Okla., came sliding home in a flawless belly landing. Unable to lower the ship's whee

Object number: FRE 4875 - A B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Carolina Queen"...