B-17 367 BS lost 22 June 1943 Hüls T/Sgt. Laverne B. HANSEN

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Here is what is written in the book “First Over Germany: A History of the 306th Bombardment Group”, by Russell A. Strong. No ISBN, published by Hunter Pub. Co., 1982:

“Twenty-four aircraft led by Capt. Marlen Reber took off and twenty effectively bombed the synthetic rubber plant at Huls, Germany,” reads the Group Diary for 22 June. “It won’t be necessary to go back on this target again." From all accounts, the bombing was superb this day and set the synthetic rubber production of the Reich back to dismal proportions.

Again the 367th Squadron led the way with the only loss the Group suffered, as 2nd Lt. J.W. Johnson’s plane went down. Johnson and most of his crew had flown their first raid on 13 June to Bremen. Only Bombardier E.S. Gast had an additional raid to his credit. Other crew members who went down with Johnson were F/O H.M. Dunn, copilot; S/Sgt. George LaRubio, .engineer; S/Sgt. D.W. O’Connor, ball; T/Sgt. L.B. Hansen and S/Sgt. Mike Shuta, waist; and S/Sgt. Rob G Bell, tail. Four enemy fighters were claimed by 306th gunners for the day’s effort.

The above is only listing 8 crew, but I don't know why. I can't find a MACR for this bomber either.

The site http://www.usaafdata.com/search confirms that T/Sgt Laverne Hansen died aboard 42-3209, and he his the only USAAF casualty linked to this aircraft.