42-32070 Lonesome Polecat

media-17381.jpeg UPL 17381 Crash site on the island of Lolland in Denmark

452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

Object Number - UPL 17381 - Crash site on the island of Lolland in Denmark

Delivered Cheyenne 21/1/44; Gr Island 14/2/44; Presque Is 13/3/44; Assigned 729BS/452BG [9Z- ] Deopham Green 13/3/44; Missing in Action Warnemunde 9/4/44 with Joe Patterson, Bombardier: Doug Galloway, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Nielan Smith, Radio Operator: Earl Green [broke leg during attack], Waist gunner: Alf Dickmann, Tail gunner: Tony LaRusso (6 Prisoner of War);

Co-pilot: Tony Gill, Navigator: Chas Markowitz, Ball turret gunner: Mansfield Hooper, Waist gunner: Jim Valley (4 evaded capture);



Flak KOd #2 and other damage, crash landed near Ryde school on Lolland, six miles SE of Nakskov, Denmark. Missing Air Crew Report 4363.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12168476
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

9 April 1944 - 9 April 1944 42-32070 named “Lonesome Polecat” was hit by flak which wounded Radio operator S/Sgt Earl F. Green in his left leg. Later “Lonesome Polecat” was attacked by fighters and the severely damaged. The tail control surfaces were badly damaged and partly shot away. Number two engine was out and the fuselage was burning from the bombardier’s compartment to the radio room.Pilot 2nd Lt Joseph R. Patterson left the formation and belly landed safely on the island of Lolland close to Ryde School. Green was pulled away from the aircraft while the rest of the crew set the aircraft on fire. They then ran to a nearby wood leaving Green by a nearby road.

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

9 April 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorTom Green
Changes
Sources

Son of one of the crew members (Earl Green) who was on 42-32070 when it crash landed in Denmark. 

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

 

Date
ContributorPete
Changes
Sources

452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

Date
ContributorPete
Changes
Sources

452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4363 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-32070: Gallery (3 items)