Date: 1943 Dec 22/22 | A/C Type: B-17G Fortress | SN: 42-37738 | Code: | A/C Nickname: Miss America | ||||||
File: 286 | Airforce: USAAF | Sqn/Unit: 91 BG - 322 BS | Mission/Raid: Osnabrück | |||||||
1 | Pilot | 2Lt. Edward M. Steele Jr. crew POW | 9 | RWG | S/Sgt Elmer E. Tobias | |||||
2 | Co-pilot | 2Lt. William P. Myers | 10 | TG | S/Sgt James G. Lane | |||||
3 | Nav. | 2Lt. Robert F. Emmick | 11 | |||||||
4 | B | 2Lt. Frederich B. Weyerts | 12 | |||||||
5 | E | S/Sgt Henry G. Holdenbach | 13 | |||||||
6 | RO | T/Sgt Georges D. Harris | 14 | |||||||
7 | BTG | S/Sgt Gerald D. Glaze parachuted in sea, MIA | 15 | |||||||
8 | LWG | S/Sgt Howard R. Thornley | 16 | |||||||
Return from Osnabrück was on high altitude, above a thick deck of clouds. Formation ran into intense Flak and fighter attacks on position 52°38'N-06°20'E. This is in the Netherlands, east of Staphorst. The bomber formation was scattered. Damaged aircraft lost speed and sank beneath the clouds, often again attacked by fighters. 22 bombers were lost from Osnabrück to the British coast. |
This aircraft was damaged and could not cross the North Sea back to England. Near Texel Island it left formation and turned south, following the Dutch coast line. Just before the bomber fell from the sky, the crew bailed out. Sgt. Glaze jumped first but just out over sea, he drowned and is MIA since then. The others landed on the premises of the Hoogoven Steel(e) Mills (POW). The bomber crashed here as well. Name of the community is Velsen-north.
Sources/Raid more (recommended):
- http://stewthornley.net/hthornley_bible.html
- MACR
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