42-102511

German soldiers inspect the damaged tail section of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102511) that has crashed near Lechfield. First handwritten caption on reverse: '19-7-44.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'Photo No 1- tail of B-17 G serial no 42.102511, 398th (B) Group. On left side in the background the burning rest's of the front part.' media-380491.jpg FRE 1683 German soldiers inspect the damaged tail section of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102511) that has crashed near Lechfield. First handwritten caption on reverse: '19-7-44.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'Photo No 1- tail of B-17 G serial no 42.102511, 398th (B) Group. On left side in the background the burning rest's of the front part.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1683 - German soldiers inspect the damaged tail section of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102511) that has crashed near Lechfield. First...

Delivered Cheyenne 10/3/44; Gr Island 27/3/44; Dow Fd 6/4/44; Assigned 602BS/398BG [K8-P] Nuthampstead 27/4/44; (24m) Missing in Action Lechfeld 19/7/44 with Dallas Hawkins, Co-pilot: Earl Hart, Navigator: Joe Doglio, Bombardier: John Loomis, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gordon Sudborough, Radio Operator: Paul Bunning, Ball turret gunner: Tom Garrett,Tail gunner: Gregory Groncki (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Doyle Borchers (Prisoner of War); flak hit #2 gas tank, ship exploded and tg blew out; crashed Weil, near Epfenhausen, Sth of Augsburg, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 7544.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 19 July 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7544 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-102511: Gallery (3 items)