42-31721 Black Magic
Object Number - UPL 30934 - Major David Wheeler alongside the noseart of B-17 42-31721 Black Magic 351BG, 8AF.
Delivered Denver 10/12/43; Kearney 24/12/43; Assigned 510BS/351BG [TU-S] Polebrook 29/1/44; 36m Missing in Action Dessau 28/5/44 with Clyde McClelland, Co-pilot: Dick Francis, Navigator: John Duncan, Bombardier: George Kiely, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Louis Poole, Radio Operator: Leon Kriesky, Ball turret gunner: Nathan Williams, Waist gunner: Junior Edwards (8 Prisoner of War); Tail gunner: Leroy Cruse (KIA- when in chute shot by civilian); enemy aircraft KOd #1 and #2 on return, then lost a third, crashed Mernes, five miles E of Bad Orb, 25 miles SW of Fulda, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 5334. BLACK MAGIC.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37383068
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13059682 / O-801999
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34402361
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13107332
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36804644
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Places
Missions
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delivered |
18500 E 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80011, USA | 10 December 1943 | Delivered Denver AAF 10-Dec-43. |
|
Assigned |
Polebrook, Peterborough PE8 5LN, UK | 29 January 1944 | Assigned 510BS, 351BG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Mernes, 63628 Bad Soden-Salmünster, Germany | 28 May 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) Dessau enemy aircraft KOd #1 and #2 on return, then lost a third, crashed Mernes, five miles E of Bad Orb, 25 miles SW of Fulda; 8 x POW, 1 x KIA MACR 5334 |
|
Manufactured |
Seattle, WA, USA | Built at Boeing. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/28643527
Mission 376: Battle Over the Reich, May 28, 1944 By Ivo de Jong
Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.
https://www.fold3.com/image/28643527
Mission 376: Battle Over the Reich, May 28, 1944 By Ivo de Jong
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5334 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database