42-31906

media-38113.jpeg UPL 38113 The crew of 42-31906. Only two members of the crew are identified. Front Row Second left is Stf Sgt James D. Compton. Front row Far right is Sgt George Gottschalk.
Anyone who can identify other crew members can comment on Facebook here. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=354712415171924&set=gm.10158934842039848&type=3&theater&ifg=1

From Kay Hughes Daughter of Sgt Compton via the 94th BG Facebook Page

Object Number - UPL 38113 - The crew of 42-31906. Only two members of the crew are identified. Front Row Second left is Stf Sgt James D. Compton. Front row Far right is Sgt...

Delivered Denver 31/12/43; Kearney 13/1/44; Assigned 410BS/94BG Rougham 21/2/44; 331BS [QE-J]; Missing in Action Munich 31/7/44 with Darwin Johnson, Co-pilot: George Thompson, Navigator: Mike Rohulich, Bombardier: Bob Maddison, Radio Operator: John Smith, Waist gunner: Ralph Bisdale (6 Killed in Action); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Compton, Ball turret gunner: George Gottschalk, Tail gunner: Francis Heimiller (3 Prisoner of War);

Flak set two engines on fire, crashed Guezenhausen, N of Munich, Ger. (three of those Killed in Action were actually shot after landing, and after trial two were hung and another got life).

Missing Air Crew Report 7739.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'

94th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Ralph T Bisdale

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32784962
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

James D Compton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18176137
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

George F Gottschalk

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32772542
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Francis L Heimiller

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32732753
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Darwin N Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-755694
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Munich, Germany 31 July 1944

Crashed

Gunzenhausen, Germany 31 July 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

MACR 7739 records Bomb Squadron as 410th Bomb Squadron:
https://www.fold3.com/image/29435022/?terms=macr%207739

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7739 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31906: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 38113 - The crew of 42-31906. Only two members of the crew...