42-102581 Lonesome Polecat

Delivered Cheyenne 16/3/44; Kearney 1/4/44; Grenier 14/4/44; Assigned 613BS/401BG [IN-L] Deenethorpe 29/4/44; Missing in Action Dessau 28/5/44 with Paul Scharff, Co-pilot: Chas Eckert, Bombardier: Bob Hoover, Waist gunner: Roscoe Tomlinson (4 Killed in Action); Navigator: Bernie Schwartz, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dick Karl, Radio Operator: Bob Strong, Ball turret gunner: Chas Bedell, Waist gunner: Fred Pynigar, Tail gunner: Jim Smallin (6 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Glienecke, 23 miles E of Burg, due N of Magdeburg; Missing Air Crew Report 56306. LONESOME POLECAT.

Connections

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Units served with

A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32577472
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-686897
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16113199 / O-688702
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32277691
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31144508
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 28 May 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the nickname mentioned in the A/C “Description”.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5306 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database