42-107138 Witka Tanka Ton
Photograph provided by Malcolm Osborn.
Object Number - UPL 25615 - COL Frank P. Hunter, 398th Bomb Group commander, with B-17G-35-DL 'Witka Tanka Ton' 42-107138. COL Hunter flew this aircraft from Rapid City Army Air...
Delivered Tulsa 3/3/44; Rapid City 12/3/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; Assigned 603BS/398BG [N7-T] Nuthampstead 22/4/44, flown over from USA by group CO Col Hunter; (51m) Missing in Action Merseburg 21/11/44 with Paul Rich, Co-pilot: Don McKorkindale, Navigator: Bob Stuart, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Clib Johnson, Ball turret gunner: Jim Ault, Waist gunner: Walt Miller, Tail gunner: Milton Passmore (7 Killed in Action); Bombardier: Earl Kearney, Radio Operator: Bob Rasmussen (2 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Hilburghausen, NE of Gotha, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 11213. WITKA TANKA TON.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-019083
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-717804
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 21 November 1944 |
Revisions
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.
COL Frank P Hunter, 398th BG commander, added based on information from 398th BG Association and 'Fortresses Over Nuthampstead' by Cliff Bishop.
Airframe history updated based on information & photos from Mr. Malcolm Osborn, the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association (398th BGMA at www.398th.org) and 'Fortresses Over Nuthampstead' by Cliff Bishop.
Airframe history as described in 'Fortresses over Nuthampstead' by Cliff Bishop and on the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association website (398th.org).
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 11213 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
