41-9098 Big Bitch
USAAF Photo.
Delivered Boise and assigned 359BS/303BG Molesworth 10/4/42; transferred 340BS/97BG Polebrook 8/42; detailed on a navigation exercise to Burtonwood, Lancs., the weather was poor, and almost certainly the red warning flares on North Wales border were missed, thus while continuing on their heading and crashed on eastern side of Cadair Berwyn, Llanthawdr Mtn, Wales 11/8/42 with Henry Gilbert, Co-pilot: Bob Beers, Navigator: Larry Schmitt, Bombardier: Leon Philipps, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Stan Aldridge, Radio Operator: Bob Memp, Ball turret gunner: Stanislas Lepa; Waist gunner: Ken Branum, Tail gunner: Wallace Sidders + two pass: Marvin Koepke, Fidel Villareal (11 Killed in Service). Salvaged. First B-17 loss in Britain involving fatalities.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- 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 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18063167
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14059939 / O-437940
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6661532
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14042901 / O-430984
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13003763
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Assigned |
Molesworth, Huntingdon PE28 0QD, UK | 10 April 1942 | Assigned to 359BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Crashed |
Cadair Berwyn, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Corwen LL21 0TE, UK | 11 August 1942 | Failed To Return (FTR) navigation exercise. Poor weather caused crash on Cadair Bronwen, Wales. 11-Aug-42. 11 x DNB. |
Assigned |
Polebrook, Peterborough PE8 5LN, UK | Transferred to 340BS, 97BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Manufactured |
Seattle, WA, USA | Built at Boeing. | |
Delivered |
Mountain Home Air Force Base, 366 Gunfighter Ave, Mountain Home AFB, ID 83648, USA | Delivered Boise AAF Apr-42. |
Revisions
http://aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbasn.asp?SN=41-9098&Submit4=Go
https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-boeing-b-17e-flying-fortress-berw…
https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/wales/boeing-b-17e…
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=97350
Final Descent: Air Crashes in Wales and the Borders By Terence Hill