File 092. 1943-02-04/04 B-17F 41-24589 Lt. Ellis beach Terschelling Island

Details

  

Date: 1943 Feb04/04 A/C Type: B-17F  Fortress SN: 41-24589 Code: A/C Nickname: Texas Bronco
 File: 92 Airforce: USAAF Sqn/Unit: 91 BG - 323 BS Mission/Raid: Train yards Hamm, a/t Emden, Germany.
1 Pilot 1Lt. Eugene B. Ellis                          9 Gunner S/Sgt. Michael T. LaMedica  KIA, buried L.
2 CP 2Lt. Kenneth H. Futch 10 Gunner S/Sgt. William E. Howard
3 Nav 2Lt. Howard N. Dunham 11    
4 B 1Lt. Marvin H. Beiseker Jr.  KIA in A/C, buried on isle 12    
5 E S/Sgt. Anthony Gaeta 13    
6 RO Sgt. Joseph L. Mastroberardino 14    
7 Gunner S/Sgt. Nathan L. Floyd 15    
8 Gunner T/Sgt. Rodney E. Demars 16                    

One of the first raids on Germany by the USAAF. Target Hamm was obscured by coulds. The bomb groups turned north towards alternative target Emden. This aircraft was damaged by fighters and made on the return trip a succesful belly landing on the North Sea beach of Terschelling (Frisian Isle). Crew set fire to cockpit after landing. 1 KIA in air, Sgt. LaMedica DOW hospital Leeuwarden. 8 POW.


First B-17 that came down in the Netherlands. More B-17 came down on 4th of February 1943, but Texas Bronco was the first on that day.

Photos:
 
- http://www.91stbombgroup.com/crewphotos/texasbronco.html
 -              
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/33021/rec/10 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/7538/rec/16 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/18270/rec/8 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/11793/rec/2 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/21594/rec/5 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/23122/rec/7 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/37104/rec/11 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/74471/rec/17 
- http://collections.tresoar.nl/cdm/singleitem/collection/TRLffa/id/7538/rec/20 

     


See for the initial burial locations of Lt. Beiseker and S/Sgt. LaMedica our files on these locations (Terschelling and Leeuwarden). Search on (in Search Menu): Cemeteries - Lake Area Cemeteries - All -> Leeuwarden and Terschelling.





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