42-31191 Virginia Lee
Delivered Cheyenne 29 September 1943; Harvard 16 October 1943; Assigned 710BS/447BG Rattlesden 25November 1943. B-17 # 42-31191 was hit by German fighters on the 27 March 1944 mission to the Bordeaux-Mérignac airfield. Crash-landed on the beach at Le Porge-Océan, near Laruau (Gironde), France. Bombardier Lt Modesto A. Gonzales, Radio Operator S/Sgt Joseph H Koenig, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Sgt Glenn C. Underwood, Right Waist Gunner Sgt Albert H. Ross and Left Waist Gunner S/Sgt Edwin S. Pankhurst, all five seen by Navigator Walsh and Ball Turret Gunner Volz to have been arrested on the beach. Pilot Lt Richard Gaskell and Co-Pilot Lt Raymond C. Koorenny were captured later. Navigator 2nd Lt Raymond L. Walsh, Ball Turret Gunner Sgt Wilbur E. Volz and Tail Gunner S/Sgt Thomas A. Smith managed to evade. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 3546.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11021237 at enlistment, then O-806253
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18016065 at enlistment, then O-755011
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37652344
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39454700 at enlistment, then O-692881
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38274314
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 27 March 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 27 March 1944 | Hit by German fighters, crash-landed on the beach at Le Porge-Océan, near Laruau (Gironde), France |