43-37532 Patches N Prayers, The Jokers Wild
Uploaded
Object Number - UPL 16528 - A photo of 43-37532, The Joker's Wild, and sometime also known as Patches N' Prayers, joining the formation. This plane was lost on the Merseberg...
Ship Name: PATCHES ‘n PRAYERS (aka: The Jokers’ Wild) Delivered: Cheyenne 26/4/44; Kearney 9/5/44; Grenier 21/5/44; Assigned: 751BS/457BG [A] – RFB Glatton 23/5/44; Missing in Action: Merseburg 2/11/44 :: 7 Killed in Action :: Pilot: Jim Corriher Co-pilot: Jeremiah Healey Navigator: Earl Hill Bombardier: Happy Doerr Flight engineer/top turret gunner: George Levaussauer Radio Operator: Harry Gormley Tail gunner: Bob Gunther :: 2 Prisoner of War :: Ball turret gunner: Gail Schatz Waist gunner: Dan Willis Downed: by enemy aircraft Crashed: 2km E. of Leimbach, Ger & 8km N.W. of Eisleben, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR): 10316
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-808214
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-782841
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12178626
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner / Waist Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Connington
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
2 November 1944 - 2 November 1944 | Approximately 40 enemy aircraft bounced group at about 1248 to 1258, 17 to 27 minutes after bombs away, in area between coordinates. They attacked from the tail between 5 and 8 o’clock. They came in waves, but each of them appeared to single out an individual B-17 to attack. Aircraft was one of seven shot down from the low squadron. There was also one aircraft shot down from each of the lead and high squadrons. The squadrons were flying in group formation. Per individual casualty questionnaire and reports from Dan Willis: The ship was on fire before it exploded, there was no order given to bail out. All crew members were last seen entering the ship at take-off. Bob Gunther was reported at his position just before the explosion. Dan Willis (Waist gunner) and Gail Schatz (ball gunner) were thrown from the ship during the explosion and survived. | |
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Manufactured |
Revisions
A photo of 43-37532, The Joker's Wild, and sometime also known as Patches N' Prayers, joining the formation. This plane was lost on the Merseberg mission on Nov 2nd, 1944.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 10316 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
