B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43
 

I am trying to identify 2 x B-17s claimed at 1426 and 1436 hrs on the above date. So far, my German records show a B-17 at Isigny, 1415 hrs (matches with claims by 2/JG 2), at B-24 at 1425 hrs in 'KK', a B-17 to Flak 8 kms SE Breskens, 1430 hrs (which matches also with claims by II/JG 1) and a 'viermot' at Vierlingsbeek, 1400 hrs. From what I can see, there were losses suffered by 332 BS/94 BG, 418 BS/100 BG, 359 BS/303 BG, 571 BS/390 BG, 327 BS/92 BG, 560 BS/388 BG and 563 BS/388 BG. German fighters claimed 10 B-17s between 1354 hrs & 1436 hrs

Re: B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43
 

Chris,

The two B-17s "NW of Antwerp" were 42-30142 and 42-30789, both of 388th BG.

First one came down around 14.20 hrs near Biervliet (Zeeland Province, Netherlands), the latter one at Lokeren, between Antwerpen and Gent, Belgium.
Both locations W and NW of Antwerpen.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43
 

Leendert: Many thanks for this. Do you have crew details or copies of the MACRs? This matches with claims by Ofw Hermann Virchow of 3/SKG 10

Re: B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43
 

Hi , Chris ,

Please here some info :

5/11/1943

Lokeren -Zele (Brugstraat)
B-17F-120-BO
Flak 13H59 Gelsenkirchen(121)
42-30789 388BG 563BS --P
Flak Suit / Butcher Boy
Knettishall Heath
2nd Lt Bramwell William J Jr piloot 0-740736 Kansas (POW)
2nd Lt Current William E. 0-802258 New-Jersey (1) POW ) Co-pilot
2nd Lt Smith Charles L.0-678777 kentucky (1) (POW) navigator
2nd Lt Maiorca John J. (EVD) bombardier
T/Sgt Johnson H.C. (EVD) engineer
T/Sgt Harrenstein Albertus 37428551 Iowa (KIA) radio
S/Sgt Craig John M. (KIA) tgnr
S/Sgt Sage Joseph A. (POW) btgnr
S/Sgt Watt George (EVD) rwgnr
S/Sgt Meader Leslie E. 37302407 Minnesota (17b) (POW) lwgnr
MACR 3137
They flew their first mission on 26/09/1943 , his was their 8th mission , buried at Lokeren , later Ardennes War Cemetery

Greetings
Alain

Re: B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43
 

According 388th BG website crew of 42-30142 was as follows:

P : R.M. Walker
CP: W.J. Koenig
N: K.L. Haines
RO: G.W. Harper
E: K.D. Shaver
B: D.G. Naughton
RWG: W.P. Marshall
LWG: L.H. Hawkins
TG: J.R. Buckner
BT: R.B. Feese

Credit: http://www.388bg.org/servlet/Control...ew&id=388-C468

Regards,

Leendert

Re: B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43
 

Any idea of rank or fate? It would appear that the website would indicate killed?

Re: B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43
 

Chris,

Details are on said website when you click on names of crew.

It says Shaver EVD, Marshall and Feese KIA, rest POW.

Usual ranks were Lt for P, CP, N and B, all rest Sgt.

Regards,

Leendert