Reczyn, Poland

Aircraft crash site
media-47560.jpeg UPL 47560 43-38150 Giddy Hutchinson & Cortright

Hutchinson & Cortright & Stockton Family

Object Number - UPL 47560 - 43-38150 Giddy

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Detailed History

B-17 43-38150 nicknamed "Giddy" crashed at Reczyn on 3 February 1945, on a mission to bomb Berlin, Germany. After suffering failures of 2 engines the Pilot Si Spiegel decided to fly east, fearing he could not make it back to England due to lack of fuel.



The aircraft made a forced landing, which all of the crew survived. They were not taken Prisoner of War, since the Germans had evacuated the area due to the Russian advance. The crew returned to the UK about a month later.



Some of the locals salvaged parts of the aircraft, and have them displayed in their gardens.



Si Spiegel returned to the site in 2001. In 2003 a small monument was erected to commemorate the crash.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 849th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32460004
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 490th Bomb Group 839th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17063486
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 849th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-825061
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 849th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36754513
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Airplane Armorer-Gunner; Waist Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 849th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-723422
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Giddy
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Information provided by Jacek Kalwa.

Reczyn, Poland: Gallery (4 items)