B17 ditching July 26th 1943

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

On July 26th 1943 a 218 Squadron crew while on a ASR flight witnessed a ditching of a B17 Fortress. This American crew were located by a RAF Hudson and a airborne lifeboat dropped.

Can anyone identify the B17 please.

Regards

Steve

[Rainer]

The crews of five B-17 were rescued by ASR after ditching in the North Sea on 26 July 1943:
B-17F-5-BO 41-24417 306BG/369BS (Maresh) ditched North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk while returning from mission to Hannover, Germany. All crew rescued by ASR.
B-17F-25-DL 42-3119 91BG/322BS (Hargis) ditched North Sea off Yarmouth, Norfolk after being damaged by fighters on mission to Hamburg, Germany. All crew rescued by two RAF Walrus.
B-17F-60-BO 42-29612 92BG/326BS (Belongia) ditched North Sea off Sheringham, Norfolk after being damaged by fighters on mission to Hannover, Germany. All crew rescued by ASR.
B-17F-80-BO 42-29981 92BG/327BS (Casey) ditched North Sea while returning from mission to Hannover, Germany. All crew rescued by ASR.
B-17F-105-BO 42-30450 94BG/410BS (Smith) ditched North Sea after being damaged by flak and fighters on mission to Wilhelmshaven, Germany. All crew rescued by ASR.

[Steve Smith]

Dear Rainer,

Thank you for the information, I was shocked to see five B17 ditched.

I think I can discount B-17F-25-DL 42-3119 91BG/322BS due to the involvement of the Walrus. This leaves me four possible candidates, if there are any members out there that can perhaps expand on this I would be grateful. The dropping of the airborne lifeboat maybe the key.

Regards

Steve

[Stig Jarlevik]

Steve

I think you can discount 41-24417 as well.
According to Bishop and Hey they ditched appx 500 yards from shore. To me that sounds like something an ASR organization should be able to take care of without any extra life boat.

Hats off to the ASR by the way. Fifty lucky lives saved and the ASR probably thought, just another day at work.

Cheers
Stig

[udf_00]

ON 29 JUL 1943, 279's Hudsons were involved in 3 rescues, 2 with lifeboat drops.
books.google
Dinghy Drop: 279 Squadron at War 1941-1946
MAY - OCTOBER 1943 pages 59 to 62

B-17F-80-BO 42-29981 92BG/327BS : (2 dinghies i.e 1st lifeboat drop ) source of the pic : http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023209
B-17F-25-DL 42-3119 91BG/322BS : Walruses
B-17F-105-BO 42-30450 94BG/410BS : 2nd lifeboat drop

[John Beaman]

In his book, Johnnie Johnson, mentions a very smooth and professional rescue operation by ASR of one of his pilots. He said he made a mental note to invite the ASR crew to the wings next party.

Great idea. I wonder if other squadrons or wings did this?