42-38177 Shack Rabbits

Delivered Cheyenne 6/1/44; Gr Island 10/1/44; Grenier 24/1/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG [ -H] Knettishall 14/2/44; Missing in Action Berlin 6/3/44 with Gus Christiani, Navigator: Leon Levy, Bombardier: Ray Newark, Waist gunner: Bill Kline, Waist gunner: Bill Pope (5 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Clarry Farrington, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Sal Ciaccio, Radio Operator: Bill Mayne, Ball turret gunner: Rupert Smith, Tail gunner: John Griscom (5 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed in swamp at Neu-Ringer, 14 miles N of Nordhorn, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 3091. SHACK RABBITS.

 

On the way back, close to the Dutch border, B-17G 42-38177 'Shack Rabbits' fell slightly back from the formation and is attacked by a German Focke Wulf Fw 190A-6 Wnr at around 14:50. 470083, flown by Hauptmann Hugo Frey. This attack damaged the aircraft to such an extent that the crew of B-17G 42-38177 'Shack Rabbits' was forced to leave the aircraft. Five of the ten crew members manage to bring themselves in safety with their parachute. The other five either fail to leave the plane or their parachute malfunctioned. 

 

https://www.slodrenthe.nl/b-17g-flying-fortress-42-38177-shack-rabbits/

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37187168
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-683670
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

Twist, Germany 6 March 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorYannicW
Changes
Sources

https://www.slodrenthe.nl/b-17g-flying-fortress-42-38177-shack-rabbits/ --> website of foundation 'Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe' who placed a information panel near the crashlocation.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3091 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database