B-17 Losses NW Antwerp 5 Nov 43

[Chris Goss]

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

[Leendert]

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

[Chris Goss]

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

[Alain57]

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

[Leendert]

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

[Chris Goss]

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

[Leendert]

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