41-9089 Johnny Reb
Info from Roger Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", photo caption on page 14 :
"Johnny Reb, the Fortress in which 8AF sustained its first heavy bomber combat fatality on 21 August, lifts off from Bovingdon on a trainig flight, 4 September. The co-pilot has braked the main wheels which are just starting to retract. Along with the other B-17E models of the 97BG this aircraft was transferred to the Combat Crew replacement centre in late August." Roger Freeman Collection
Added details to photo caption.
Delivered Sarasota 15/4/42. Assigned 414BS/97BG Polebrook 4/42. Flew on first 8th Air Force heavy bomber mission 17 August 1942 with Pilot Lt. Richard S. Starks (WIA 21/8/42); Co-pilot: Donald A. Walter (KIA 21/8/42); Navigator: Harold Spire; Bombardier: Ewart T. Sconiers (WIA 21/8/42); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Roy T. Nalley; Radio Operator: William A. Adams; Right Waist Gunner: Wallace M. Smith; Left Waist Gunner: Thomas P. Calhoun; Ball Turret Gunner William E. Schimke; Tail Gunner James C. Simmons.
On the 21 August 1942 mission to the Rotterdam shipyards, The Netherlands, "Johnny Reb" was severely damaged by Fw190s. Co-Pilot Donald Walter was killed, Co-Pilot Richard Starks was too seriously wounded to fly the plane and Bombardier Ewart Sconiers, who had failed pilot training, took the controls and with advice from Starks, managed to bring the plane safely back in England, landing at Horsham St Faith in Norfolk.
41-9089 was transferred to the 92nd BG at Bovingdon 24/8/42. Moved to Snetterton Heath on 16/5/43 to the 96th BG/11 CCRC (Combat Crew Replacement Center) and was used as tow target ship. Recl Comp 27/11/45.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14030942
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34199059
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15067557
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16061443
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-724720
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
Missions
- Date: 21 August 1942
- Official Description:
- Date: 17 August 1942
- Official Description:
Revisions
Corrected error in names (Walter instead of Walters, Roy Nalley instead of Allen...)
Lee Cunningham 19-Oct-2014, Mission associations "Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 19-Oct-2014 "Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.