43-37865

media-41454.jpeg UPL 41454 Crash site memorial in Perigny, France tribute to the crew of the Varga Venus

Member of air crew, family member

Object Number - UPL 41454 - Crash site memorial in Perigny, France tribute to the crew of the Varga Venus

Delivered Cheyenne 30/5/44; Hunter 9/6/44; Dow Fd 30/6/44. Assigned 349BS/100BG [XR-P] Thorpe Abbotts 10/7/44. Missing in Action on the mission to Saint-Sylvain (Calvados) 8 August 1944. Pilot : John P. Keys; Co-pilot: Elvin W. Samuelson; Navigator: Patrick H. Lollis; Bombardier: Elton Dickens; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry D. Park; Radio Operator: Frank O. Thomas; Ball turret gunner: Peter P. Martin; Tail gunner: Donald V. Rieger (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Gilbert A. Borba (Prisoner of War). 1½ minute before bombs away, at an altitude of about 11,000 feet, a Flak burst put out engine 2, and another one cut off the tail assembly. The plane nosed down out of formation and exploded near the ground. Pieces of it were strewn over many places near Périgny, NE of Vire, France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 8073.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39123538
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-757704
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-810894
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-706941
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

  • Date: 8 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

France 8 August 1944 Hit by Flak near the target, the plane lost altitude and exploded above the area near Périgny, Calvados, France. 8 KIA, 1 POW.

Revisions

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Contributormapwhe
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Info corrected

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Info correction

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Contributorphil marchese
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AAM associated image.

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Family held documents

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ContributorED-BB
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MACR 8073

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ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8073 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

43-37865: Gallery (3 items)