43-38780

media-19981.png UPL 19981 The Leo Belskis crew :
Top row, from left to right : Pilot Leo Belskis; Co-Pilot Glenn C. Vaugh; Navigator James V. Collett; Bombardier Ross W. Perrin Jr.
Bottom, from left to right : Top Turret Gunner Walter R. Newman; Right Waist Gunner Durward V. Suggs; Tail Gunner Robert P. Rogers; Radio Operator Elvis A. McCoy; Ball Turret Gunner Lynn J. Lauret Jr.
All except Mc Coy and Lauret were killed on the 11 December 1944 mission to Mannheim – B-17G Serial 43-38780 of 381st Bomb Group / 532nd Bomb Squadron. (Photo via the Perrin family).

Added crew photo

Object Number - UPL 19981 - The Leo Belskis crew : Top row, from left to right : Pilot Leo Belskis; Co-Pilot Glenn C. Vaugh; Navigator James V. Collett; Bombardier Ross W....

Delivered Lincoln 21 September 1944; Grenier 7 October 1944; Assigned 532BS/381BG [VE-J] Ridgewell 14 November 1944; Missing in Action 12m Mannheim 11 December 1944 with Pilot Leo Belskis, Co-pilot Glenn C. Vaughn, Navigator James V. Collett, Bombardier Ross W. Perrin Jr, Flight engineer/top turret gunner Walter R. Newman, Ball turret gunner Lynn J. Lauret, Tail gunner Robert P. Rogers (7 Killed in Action); Radio Operator Elvis A. McCoy, Right Waist gunner: Durward V. Suggs (2 Prisoner of War).

The aircraft, hit by Flak in the target area, was last sighted above Gommersheim, SW of Mannheim. It had its No. 2 engine on fire. The engine fell off and the fire extended back to the waist section. The left wing was on fire and exploded. The aircraft was seen to go down into a deep spin, apparently out of control, then to slip off to the left and roll over on its back. Six parachutes were reported but they disappeared in the clouds and there was no report with regard to whether or not they opened. The Fortress crashed in a field in Mannheim-Neckarau. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 11341. Bombardier Ross Perrin's nephew, J. Ross Greene has written a book about his uncle, the mission and the fate of the crew as well as his commitment to preserving their memory : "A Fortress and A Legacy" ( http://afortressandalegacy.com )

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16002193 and O-886725
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron 730th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Counter Measures/waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33560548 and O-722281
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18123654
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38468543
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Missions

  • Date: 11 December 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

near the Neckarauer Waldweg, Mannheim, Germany 11 December 1944 Hit by Flak, crashed in a field

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 11341
Contacts with J. Ross Greene, nephew of Bombardier Ross W. Perrin Jr

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 11341 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

43-38780: Gallery (5 items)