B-17G 42-97981 - 96th BG - 21-11-1944
 

Looking for the exact crash location of B-17G 42-97981 of 96th BG, 337th Sqn, based at Snetterton in Norfolk. Piloted by 2/Lt Jack C. CORE they bombed a target of opportunity at/near Koblenz, Germany. Engine problems homebound and crew baled out over friendly territory after a/c put on automatic pilot. It is believed the aircraft may have come down in the Uden area, province Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Two airmen killed and already buried 23-11-1944 in the US Mil. Cem. at Margraten. Those killed were:
S/Sgt Joseph E. BRADSHAW - 18178861, and
S/Sgt Lowell E. WAMICK - 34703905.
Regards and thanks for your help.
Henk.

Re: B-17G 42-97981 - 96th BG - 21-11-1944
 

Hank -
Bits and Pieces Lists this:
# 42 - 97981 K " All American Girl "
Mechanical Problems
Crashed Vden , Netherlands
Mike

Re: B-17G 42-97981 - 96th BG - 21-11-1944
 

Thanks Mike, that's what I expected. Correct name was Uden in lieu of Vden. Aerodrome Uden was a former Luftwaffe base at that time operated by the RAF.
Regards,
Henk.

Re: B-17G 42-97981 - 96th BG - 21-11-1944
 

According to the list of WWII crashes on the Dutch Defence website (http://www.defensie.nl/media/verlies...m46-154755.pdf), this bomber crashed at Udenhout, not at Uden.

Udenhout is about 30 km more west, north of Tilburg.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udenhout

This discussion on this forum is trying (unsuccessfully) to clear this case:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=22327

Seems to me the case is still open... Maybe local archives will say more ?

Re: B-17G 42-97981 - 96th BG - 21-11-1944
 

Laurent -
Thanks - Thought spelling with The V was odd. It was a Typo
in my Book - I corrected it.
Mike

Re: B-17G 42-97981 - 96th BG - 21-11-1944
 

Hi all,
We know about "Udenhout" in the Dutch list but doubt whether this is correct. What we know for sure is that the accident happened 22-11-1944 and two crew members were buried 23-11-1944 at Margraten. The bodies were recovered by 83rd GCC RAF, at that time posted at Erp, what's east of Veghel (S of Uden).
Regards,
Henk.