42-5468 Quinine -The Bitter Dose

B-17F 42-5468 was delivered at Denver 11-Dec-42; Salina 8-Jan-4343; Assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-I] Molesworth 8-Apr-43; On 25-Jun-43 the aircraft was depatched to bomb the construction shops adjacent to the submarine building at Hamburg, Germany. On the return the aircraft was attacked by German fighters, killing the Radio Operator, TSgt Dick W. Jones and wounding the Navigator and both Waist Gunners. The Pilot, Capt. George V. Stallings managed to fly the crippled aircraft back to England and the crew parachuted to safety over Coltishall, Norfolk. The pilot then flew the aircraft out over the sea off the coast at Waxham, Norfolk, baled out, and swam to shore. Capt Stalling was awarded both the British and American Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. See the Biographies of the other crew members for their decorations. 1KIA 10RTD



P Capt George Stallings (RTD-B&US DFC); CP 2Lt Joseph E. Bradbury (RTD -DFC)

N 1Lt James F. Kelly (WIA-RTD-PH,SS); B 1Lt Frank E. Kulesa (RTD)

E/TTG TSgt James A. Watson (RTD); RO TSgt Dick W. Jones (KIA-DFC, AM2OLC-PH)

BTG TSgt Arthur S, Stevens (RTD); WG SSgt Joseph S. Klasnick (WIA-RTD-SS,PH)

WG TSgt Robert W. Yattaw (WIA-RTD-PH); TG SSgt John J. Stickler (RTD)

OBS TSgt Michael S. Hlastala (RTD)

Connections

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

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728560
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 487th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 13011194
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner; Observer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16068920
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13040917
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner, Togglier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR)

Waxham, Norwich, Norfolk NR12, UK 25 June 1943 Attacked by fighters on mission to Hamburg. Returned to England where crew baled out near Coltishall, Norfolk. Pilot then abandoned the aircraft over the sea off of Waxham, Norfolk.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 14-Feb-2015. Added nickname, DBR event, and Description events per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stsn Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Added crew position, rank, full proper name, dispositions and decorations per the 303rd Bomb Group website, historian Gary Moncur; formatted crew display.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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