42-97552 The road back

Delivered Denver 19/12/43; Kearney 5/1/44; Assigned 351BG Polebrook 25/2/44; transferred 457BG Glatton 1/3/44; 360BS/303BG [PU-O] Molesworth 11/3/44; Missing in Action Oranienburg (13m) 18/4/44 with Lloyd Holdcroft, Co-pilot: Clyde Bradley, Navigator: Chas Pace, Bombardier: John O’Donnell, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John DeMarco, Radio Operator: Walt Francis, Ball turret gunner: Lloyd Kern, Waist gunner: Walt Hustus, Waist gunner: Walt Slusser, Tail gunner: Bob Krumholz (10 POW-all on their last mission); lost two engines, threw out gear to lighten ship but crash landed three miles SE of Reinsehlen Afd, near Hanover, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4009. THE ROAD BACK.

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

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

People

Clyde W Bradley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-683955
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

John A DeMarco

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32448998
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Walter G Francis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15170353
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Lloyd L Holdcroft

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Walter L Hustus

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

The mission board of the 457th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-299-2-457)(16/5/45)(Op's Board's).'

Glatton

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Connington

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 18 April 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description”.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4009 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database