43-37781

Lieutenant Bill Gaither and Lieutenant Bill Stull of the 452nd Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43-3778) of the 96th Bomb Group that was destroyed by German dive bombers. Image via William C Gaither. Letter from Gaither enclosed with print: ‘These photographers were taken at Poltava, Russia on June 22 1944. On June 21st my group, the 452d and others flew from England to Poltava en route hitting oil refinery at Rhurland, Germany. That night after landing German dive bombers bombed th media-380645.jpg FRE 1829 Lieutenant Bill Gaither and Lieutenant John Stull of the 452nd Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43-37781) of the 96th Bomb Group that was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombers. Image via William C Gaither.

Letter from Gaither enclosed with print: ‘These photographers were taken at Poltava, Russia on June 22 1944. On June 21st my group, the 452d and others flew from England to Poltava en route hitting oil refinery at Rhurland, Germany. That night after landing German dive bombers bombed the field destroying ninety or more B-17 aircraft. Our P-51 fighter escort which has landed at another field were denied permission to take off and intercept the German attack planes. My crew and I were assigned to the 730 Sq. My aircraft “Borrowed Time”. Was hit by an ME-109 over Yugoslavia. No 4 engine was knocked out and feathered, a hole was put in horizontal tail and hydraulic system damaged. Without brakes I ground looped on landing to stop the ship. There it remained isolated from the other ships which were destroyed that night. PHOTO NO 4- Lt Bill Gaither and Lt Stull and destroyed B-17. The Germans directed their attack at the B-17s and not at the crew’s bivouac area. Only later did we learn that we were also a target- butterfly bombs were found in the tent area. Young Russians were used to search and destroy these bombs.’ Roger Freeman Collection

not a single german dive bomber in this attack - was all standard bombers

Object Number - FRE 1829 - Lieutenant Bill Gaither and Lieutenant John Stull of the 452nd Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43-37781) of the 96th Bomb Group...

Delivered Cheyenne 20/5/44; Kearney 29/5/44; Grenier 7/6/44; Assigned 337BS/96BG [AW-R] Snetterton 11/6/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Carl Schram 21/6/44; Salvaged 1/7/44.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Sergeant George Mondale, Lieutenant Ernest Demaray, Sergeant John McCallum and Lieutenant Roger Soth of the 452nd Bomb Group with Russian personnel. Image via William C Gaither. Letter from Gaither enclosed with print: ‘These photographers were taken at Poltava, Russia on June 22 1944. On June 21st my group, the 452d and others flew from England to Poltava en route hitting oil refinery at Rhurland, Germany. That night after landing German dive bombers bombed the field destroying ninety or more B-17 airc
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Eastern Command Headquarters (ESCOM)

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

43-37781: Gallery (2 items)