John C Thalmann

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

media-27416.png UPL 27416 Crew of the Reluctant Dragon in Bury St. Edmund Left to right rear: Lt. Windy Morris (co-pilot), Lt. John V Lilly ( Navigator), Lt. John White (Bombardier), Lt. John 'Chris' Thelma ( Pilot). Front: Sgt. Stark (radio), Sgt. Blacker (engineer), Sgt. Schaler ( right waist gun), Sgt Harling ( Ball Turret), Sgt Exelberth ( Radio operator, Tail gunner)

Correction to named crew member - not Sgt Waleler but Edward J. Schaler. Information provided by Sherry Russell (user http://www.americanairmuseum.com/user/61549) , daughter of Edward Schaler.

Object Number - UPL 27416 - Crew of the Reluctant Dragon in Bury St. Edmund Left to right rear: Lt. Windy Morris (co-pilot), Lt. John V Lilly ( Navigator), Lt. John White...

Shot down 27 September 1943 in B-17 #4230454 'Reluctant Dragon. ' Killed in Action (KIA).

John Thalman often flew the Thunderbird Aircraft, He flew it the day before his last mission in 42-30454

Connections

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Units served with

333rd Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

94th Bomb Group

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

People

John V Lilly

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 0741793
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Navigator

Wendell O Morris

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Flight Officer
Role/Job: Co-Pilot

John H White

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

42-30453

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Nicknames: Thunderbird
Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron

42-30454

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

The wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5888) nicknamed "Elusive Elcy" of the 94th Bomb Group flies off as a result of a direct hit, during a mission over Emden. Handwritten caption on reverse: '94 BG. 27/9/43.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A DRAMATIC INCIDENT DURING THE AIR WAR OVER EUROPE: A WING BREAKS OFF A FLYING FORTRESS DURING A DAYLIGHT BATTLE, AND THE STRICKEN BOMBER BEGINS TO TURN OVER AS IT STARTS ON THE WAY DOWN TO EARTH. This picture illustrates one of the hazards which the big A

VIII Bomber Command 104

Date: 27 September 1943

VIII Bomber Command 58

Date: 17 May 1943

Places

Bury St Edmunds

Site type: Airfield
Known as: Rougham

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Died		27 September 1943	Engine on fire over Emden Germany, tried to dive to blow it out. All jumped out except Chris, he tried to land the AC and was killed
Buried	Wittmund Garrison Cemetery	27 September 1943	Buried at Wittmund Garrison Cemetery in Grave 129
Born