Identify B17 379th Bomb Group
 

Hi,

Who can help identify this crashed B17 of the 379th Bomb Group ?
The numbers on the tail looks like 22377 ??

Thanks in advance,

Michel

Re: Identify B17 379th Bomb Group
 

Perhaps

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1.html
42-29773 (379th BG, 526th BS, "Up & At 'Em") shot down by Lt. Hans-Werner Zanjolz in Fw 190A-5 of FG 2/9 at Crach, France May 29, 1943 on raid to
St Nazaire. MACR 1370. 6 KIA, 4 POW.

http://www.379thbga.org/Looking4%201260-1251%20p26.htm

Re: Identify B17 379th Bomb Group
 

At least one French source says that 42-29773 was shot down by Flak. My fold3 account has expired and for some reason I can't renew it today, so I can't check the MACR, but on a general note you can ignore most of the "shot down by (pilot)" statement on the site of Mr Baugher. In most cases, there are so many German claims during battles against American heavy bombers that it is impossible to say who shot down who, especially as the bombers could take a lot of damage and still fly and crash far away from the crippling attack.

Re: Identify B17 379th Bomb Group
 

According to the MACR 1370 the 42-29773 was forced down by enemy anti-aircraft at 1712 hrs.

In the 379th Bombardment Group (H) Anthology, Vol. 1 is noted:
The crew of 1st Lt Willard S. Thomas led the low Squadron of the 379th high Group…..Major John O. Hall, squadron commander, flew in the co-pilot’s position. Lt Willard Thomas describes what happened next in these words.
„We were hit over Guernsey Island and lost our #2 motor but could still fly and were able to stay in formation. Our fighter planes could not go past the coast of France because of fuel shortage, so the Germans jumped us before the target. They greeted us with flak when we reached Saint-Nazaire. We had to fly straight and level for one minute so the bombardier could set up his sight and drop the bombs. We dropped the bombs on the sub pens and turned at 45 degrees for one minute and then back to the original course to photograph the results. That is when our plane was hit by flak. It blew a large hole in the plane where the waist guns were, so I had no control. The plane was bucking, diving and climbing. Five men were killed in the plane and five bailed out. Of the five that bailed out, one was killed. ….“.

Lt Hans-Werner Zajonz of 9./JG 2 had his first confirmed victory at 1725 hrs (PlQu. 14 West/4828, 5.300 m).
He was killed on 28 June 1943 in his Fw 190 A-5 WNr. 5851.

Regards
Leo

Re: Identify B17 379th Bomb Group
 

Hi Guy's,

Many thanks for these great info, well done

Michel