42-39817 “Murderer's Row”

Delivered Long Beach 9/9/43; Assigned 394BS/100BG [XR-A] Thorpe Abbotts 27/9/43. Missing in Action Wilhelmshafen 3 March 1944 with Pilot Robert D. Vollmer, Navigator: Edward G. Sullivan, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: William S. Humphrey (substitute for regular E/TTG), Ball turret gunner: Don Guthrie, Left Waist gunner: Thomas H. Mullenix (5 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: John W. Adams III, Bombardier: Ernest B. Clark, Radio Operator: Elias M. Johnson, Right Waist gunner: Donald W. Becker, Tail gunner: George W. Wood (5 Killed in Action).



According to Pilot Vollmer after the war, his B-17 was not involved in a mid-air collision with #42-31970 nor damaged by a mid-air collision between "ships 970 and 617", as surmised in the MACR. In fact, it was attacked by a swarm of FW110s, shot down, exploded and its debris fell in a radius of 3km near Hohenaspe, between Drage and Itzehoe (50km N of Hamburg), Germany. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 3029.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-801587
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16171635
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38128395
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38292557
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16043348
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 3 March 1944 Shot down by fighters. Exploded and crashed. Debris scattered in a radius of 5km between Drage and Itzehoe (50km NE of Hamburg), Germany

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Description" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the A/C nickname listed in the "Summary biography" of several crew.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 3029

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3029 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database