UPL 71469

IMAGE

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Standing L-R: Charles J. Griffin, William D. Brooks, Melvin E. Gaide, Donald H. Fletcher, Frank Danella, George A. Janos, Unknown. Kneeling L-R: Robert E. Dibble, John H. Thompson, Edgar F. Woodward, Jr. (Pilot), Emanuel Cassimatis The original plane for the Woodward Crew was "Poontang", as shown in this picture. While stateside for the passing of their bombardier Robert E. Dibble who was KIA on 8/15/1943, "Poontang" was taken out by the Biddick/Flesh crew due to reports of mechanical issues with "Escape Kit" and did not return on 8/17/1943. It was documented that Biddick took "Escape Kit" on 8/17/1943. Woodward's crew then took "Escape Kit" on the Sept 6, 1943 Stuttgart Mission No. 91 in which they experienced engine failure as described by S/Sgt Donald H. Fletcher below: During the September 6, 1943 Mission to Stuttgart, the Woodward Crew (#33) flying "Escape Kit" had engine problems and the crew was forced to bail. Per a letter from Donald H. Fletcher (RWG) on January 25, 1984, "...on the way into the target, an oil leak in #2 engine. Woodward could then have aborted, but decided to press on. Somewhere near the IP oil pressure went to zero and prop would not feather - cylinder head temp. went sky high. If engine seized and prop came off it could have been disastrous to ship. It was decided to head south for Switzerland. When they believed themselves over Switzerland, the crew bailed. It turned out that only Woodward, who remained with aircraft until the crew had successfully bailed out, landed in Switzerland, the others in Germany."

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Units

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
The insignia of the 8th Air Force.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Command
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Woodward Crew - "Poontang"/"Escape Kit"
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Woodward Crew - "Poontang"/"Escape Kit"
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Woodward Crew - "Poontang"/"Escape Kit"
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Woodward Crew - "Poontang"/"Escape Kit"
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

Woodward Crew - "Poontang"/"Escape Kit"
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Poontang
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
Woodward Crew - "Poontang"/"Escape Kit"
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Escape kit
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron

Locations

Revisions

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Sources

Personal, written and video accounts from Donald H. Fletcher.

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Personal, written and video accounts from Donald H. Fletcher.

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Physical photo with names from Donald H. Fletcher

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Donald H. Fletcher