B.17 41-24580 ( 303 Bg)

[JP Favrais]

Hello
I search some information on the "crash point" for the B.17 41-24580
(303BG 358 BS) shot down the 23 January 1943 ( mission LORIENT)
several member of crew ( pilot Lt. Oran T. O' CONNOR and Sgt. Frank
BATTERSON tail gunner) was hospitalize in CARHAIX (FR.)
Thank you for your help jean paul

[Stephane Muret]

Hi Jean-Louis,

According to R. Freeman B17 FLYING FORTRESS STORY, 41-24580 "Hell Cat" or "Hell Cat Agnes", MIA Lorient 23/1/43 crashed Bay of Biscay, 10 KIA? pilot Byrom, MACR 15473 (p. 87) but Mighty Eighth Combat Chronology wrote about 8 POW and 2 evaded but same place (bay of Biscay). 303 BG lost 8 planes this day. Locations given are :
RAF Chipping Warden
La Chez (?) France
RAF Lulsgate bottom
Kergolay, France
Bay of Biscay (2)
Unknown : 2

Sure you need to look for the Macr first.

Good luck.
Stephane Muret

[JP Favrais]

Originally Posted by Stephane Muret

Hi Jean-Louis,

According to R. Freeman B17 FLYING FORTRESS STORY, 41-24580 "Hell Cat" or "Hell Cat Agnes", MIA Lorient 23/1/43 crashed Bay of Biscay, 10 KIA? pilot Byrom, MACR 15473 (p. 87) but Mighty Eighth Combat Chronology wrote about 8 POW and 2 evaded but same place (bay of Biscay). 303 BG lost 8 planes this day. Locations given are :
RAF Chipping Warden
La Chez (?) France
RAF Lulsgate bottom
Kergolay, France
Bay of Biscay (2)
Unknown : 2

Sure you need to look for the Macr first.

Good luck.
Stephane Muret

Hello Stephane
Thank you for the answer,since several month I do some search for the plane
of 303BG. The B.17 41-24567 was shot down to PLUVIGNER
B.17 41-24584 was shot down to EDERN( 12 km of QUIMPER)
B 17 41-24607 Missing in sea
B 17 41-24603 was shot down to MOTREFF ( hamlet of Kergolay)
for the B.17 41-24580 I have not localize the "Crash Point" only a information indicate who the members crew wounded was hospitalize to
CARHAIX ( BRITTANY) the daugther of Lt.Col O.T. O'CONNOR confirm to me
the plane was shot down in area of CARHAIX !!! Again thank you jean paul

[Vraa84]

Hi JP

B-17 F, 41-24580, Hell Cat
358 BS, VK*C
Target: Lorient port area and U-boat pens, BG's 11th mission.

Taken from: 303rb Bombardment Group by Brian D O'Neill.

"41-24580 Hell Cat of the 358th, attacked by fighters, was last seen between Brest and the coast with its number four engine feathered and number one smoking. It went down with 1Lt Oran O'Connor's crew into the Bay of Biscay and eight crewmen were captured but two escaped."

Nick

[JP Favrais]

Hi Nick
I am intrigue the daugther of Lt. Oran T. O'CONNOR to indicate who the plane of his Father was shot down in area of CARHAIX where he was
hospitalize with the Sgt BATTERSON the Lieutenant RUPPE and GORDON
jumping perhaps in sector of GOURIN Sud of CARHAIX but the localisation
of "Crash Point" for that B.17 rest a mistery!!!!! Thank you for your annswer
jean paul

[Stephane Muret]

JP,

Did you try with IDPF ?

Stephane

[Stephane Muret]

OOPPPS, please ignore my last mail because none of members of the crew was KIA.

Sorry !

[heinz]

in the daily diary of the 303 Bomb Group ("might in flight" by harry Gobrecht)
concerning this crash we can read : " 41-24580, Hell Cat , 358 BS-C was shot down by enemy fighters.It was seen with the No.4 engine feathered and the No.1 engine smoking.The aircraft went down in the region between Brest and the coast."

I have also the original report concerning this mission(I have made lot of searches concerning the 41-24567 Beats Me!!) but there are no more informations concerning this crash .
Cheers .

[JP Favrais]

Originally Posted by heinz

in the daily diary of the 303 Bomb Group ("might in flight" by harry Gobrecht)
concerning this crash we can read : " 41-24580, Hell Cat , 358 BS-C was shot down by enemy fighters.It was seen with the No.4 engine feathered and the No.1 engine smoking.The aircraft went down in the region between Brest and the coast."

I have also the original report concerning this mission(I have made lot of searches concerning the 41-24567 Beats Me!!) but there are no more informations concerning this crash .
Cheers .

Hello Jean Charles
Roger Huguen m'a beaucoup parlé de vous et de vos recherches pour le B.17
abattu à PLUVIGNER lors de cette mission sur LORIENT pouvez - vous me
contacter sur mail : jeanpaulfavrais1@aol.com Thank you jean paul