42-5786 Whizzer II
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/media/media-38472.jpeg)
Match to AAM history
See analysis at
Flying Fortress 1936 1945
Object Number - UPL 38472 - B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5786) of the 483rd Bomb Group burning after being hit by flak on a mission to Nis, Yugoslavia, 15 April 1944.
Delivered Long Beach 28/1/43; Denver 30/1/43; Assigned 4Ferry Gp Memphis where line chief Sgt Oscar Penrod ground looped aircraft 20/3/43; Morrison 14/4/43; Assigned 347BSA/99BG Navarin 5/5/43; Oudna 4/8/43; damaged by fire 16/9/43, repaired at depot; transferred 840BS/483BG Tortorella 4/44; Missing in Action Nis, Yugo. 15/4/44 with Jim Preston, Johnston, Gresham, Lindholm, Toutant, Cieslak, Cooper, Pierce, Cline, Brown (10 Killed in Action); flak hit between # 3 & 4. The main fuel tanks took fire as the wing folded back all in seconds; crashed Nis, W/O. Missing Air Crew Report 3909. WHIZZER II.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
![Seen through a 433rd Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress' strike camera, a 816th Bomb Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5786) nicknamed "Whizzer II" goes down over Nis in Yugoslavia on the 15th of April 1944 in a gout of flame after taking a direct flak hit. There were no survivors. Official caption on image: "(483BG:4M3:2VI) (4:15:1208) (24:21300) ([south-west arrow] 140 [degrees]) (Nis M/Y Yugo) (Ship 111 816 Sq)." Handwritten caption on reverse: '15/4/44. 483BG, 15AF. Nis, Yugoslavia. 42-5786](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-457805.jpg?itok=k6Yf8wFz)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-19684.jpeg?itok=9_Hae9n_)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 840th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 6396357
- Highest Rank: Private First Class
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 840th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 36297261
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 840th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 33563970
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 840th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 34665857
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 840th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 19049797 / O-757938
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-24074.jpeg?itok=HO9I91RX)
- Site type: Airfield
Aircraft
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-38472.jpeg?itok=OrW_R0Tn)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Whizzer II
- Unit: 483rd Bomb Group 840th Bomb Squadron