Some details on the loss of B-17G 42-97828 Queenie?

[ChristianK]

Currently there is a nice set of the crashed B-17G 42-97828 "Queenie" up for sale on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=p5197.c0.m619 (see other pics from the same seller)

Anyone knows which was the explicit target of 533 BS on 9 February 1945, the day "Queenie" was lost? Main targets of the 8th USAAF on that day were Lützkendorf, Magdeburg, Dülmen and Weimar...

Regards,
Christian

[Alain57]

Hi ,
This comes out of the war diaries of 381 BG :

A mission intended for Munich was scrubbed Feb. 5 after briefing. Although the day turned out beautiful, it started as a stinker, heavy rain and overcast sky. Throughout the night the full thuds of explosions were heard and rumors were they were V2’s going off in the distance.

William J. Muckerman, sub-depot adjutant, was promoted to captain February 5.

Lt. Col. Conway S. Hall, 26-year-old command pilot, former Group operations officer and, more recently, Group air executive, took over command of the 381st officially February 6. There was a mission on that day too. Our 37 aircraft were under command of Capt. Ewing S. Watson and the briefed target was Lut??edorf.

The lead squadron’s lead ship had trouble with its VHF which was alternately going out and coming back. As a result, the formation was somewhat scraggly. Patchy clouds made it possible for the navigators to proceed by pilotage until the target area was reached. Here it turned 10/10, and the lead VHF came on just in time for Capt. Watson to hear the Division commander say he would attack a target of opportunity. Our formation followed the bomber stream to a wide open area where the bombardier picked a a town with a railroad running through it and bomb visually. The target was identified as Ohdoruf. Crew men said the bombs landed along the railroad in the built-up area.

There was virtually no opposition. The formation caught meager flak at the enemy coast going in and no flak at the target. There were no enemy fighters. Two of our aircraft failed to bomb with the formation and dropped their explosives on Steinbeck.

Regards
Moon

[Alain57]

Hi ,
Sorry made a mistake about the date :

On the ninth, in response to an Army request, 37 of our aircraft went out for an attack on the motor road viaduct at Arnsberg, Germany. Capt. Cronin, assistant Group operations officer, led the contingent, which flew all the way to the target over broken cloud only to find the objective completely covered. In addition, the cloud layer ran much higher than briefed, completely enveloping our aircraft at bombs-away, which was handled on PBO-GH technique. There was neither flak nor fighter at the targets and all our Forts and crews returned without casualty or incident.

Five new crews arrived on the base early this same evening. Pilots and the squadrons to which assigned are: Lts. Smith and Perry, 535, and Lts. Hall, Hull, and Adelmeyer, 534.

Missions intended for targets at Kassel and Munster were scrubbed on the tenth and eleventh, respectively. On the latter night, highlighted by a dance at which Lt. Cols. Hall and Reed were present as guests of honor, the Station’s new non-commissioned officers’ club, located in the old quartermaster building adjoining combat mess, was officially opened. Membership is limited to top three-graders.

Col. Leber was unable to attend, being required at the officers’ club, where he and Brig. Gen. Gross, First Combat Wing commander, presented DFCs and Bronze Star medals to combat and ground personnel.

Regards

[ChristianK]

Hi Alain, thanks for the info! One thing is strange, though - In my files I have 42-97828 as MIA on 9 February 1945. Seems this is wrong, as the 381st BG's war diaries record no loss on this date.
This website: http://www.381st.org/Portals/19/old381st/noseart-q.html says the ship was salvaged at the end of February 1945. Photos too indicate a crash-landing. Any idea what happened to "Queenie", when and why?

[Leendert]

Christian (and Alain),

Answer is in the Feb 45 reports of the 242nd Medical Detachment on the 381st BG website:

9 February – Captain Cronin led 37 aircraft which took off at 09.30 hrs the destination being Arnsberg, Germany. A railroad bridge was bombed from 22,000 ft, at minus 40 degrees, by GH, blind and unobserved. GH reported an excellent bomb run. Flak was meager and inaccurate, although some was encounter on the way home over the Zuider Zee. No fighters were encountered and there were no casualties.
One ship did not return, Lt Williamson, but it was later learned that he crash-landed in France and there was one injured, but the individual is unknown at the present time.

It appears that Lt Williamson flew with 535th BS.

Regards,

Leendert