42-3217 Georgia Rebel
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Delivered Cheyenne 30/3/43; Dow 23/5/43; Assigned 535BS/381BG [MS-T] Ridgewell 24/5/43 with Osce Jones, Seth Armstead, Leon Spivey, Chas Nevius, Jim Haynie, Joe Nicatra, Alf Haugen, Chas Newcomb, Shannon Early, Maurice Kelleher.
On returning from mission to St Nazaire on 28 June 1943, a life raft broke loose and caught round the tail fin, and with aircraft spiraling down out of control. Lt Melvin Hecker was able to tie the raft’s lines to a waist gun, and using the gun as a lever, pried the raft loose and enabled the pilot to get the ship under control again.
Not too soon, as two German fighters swept in to attack the stricken ship, but they were both shot down and the Rebel headed home OK.
Missing in Action 6m Heroya 24/7/43 with Osce V. Jones, Co-pilot: George McIntosh, Navigator: Art Guertin, Bombardier: Chas Nevius, Radio Operator: Jim Haynie, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Joe Nicatra, Ball turret gunner: Chas Newcomb, Waist gunner: Alf Haugen, Waist gunner: Shannon Early, Tail gunner: Maurice Kelleher (10 Interned);
Flak hits damaged #2 and 3 along with a fuel leak, force landed Vannacka, Sweden, but later freed. The aircraft suffered only slight damage and eventually moved to Satenas, where it became a source for spares when other B-17s arrived.
Missing Air Crew Report 132. This was the first US bomber to land in Sweden in WWII. GEORGIA REBEL.
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: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31127728
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-797117
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37272791
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37348624
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 24 July 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) and Interned (INT) |
Sweden | 24 July 1943 |