Thorpe Abbotts AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field. On touch down, the left main gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest in Thorpe Abbotts, some 30 km south of Norwich, Norfolk. All occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing B-17F-85-BO Flying Fortress off Wangerooge Island: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

42-30038

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Thorpe Abbotts - Thorpe Abbotts

MSN:

5152

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Thorpe Abbotts on an operation to Bremen. While cruising along the German coast, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed into the sea some 20 km north of Wangerooge Island. Six crew members were killed and four others were rescued and became PoW.
Crew:
1st Lt Paul J. Schmalenbach, pilot, †
F/O George W. Cox, copilot, †
T/Sgt Eugene M. Beck, flight engineer, †
1st Lt John F. Brown, navigator,
2nd Lt Jack L. Clark, bombardier, †
T/Sgt Frank J. Podbielski, radio operator,
Sgt Anthony J. Russo, waist gunner, †
S/Sgt Norman C. Goodwin, ball turret gunner,
S/Sgt William C. Lucas, waist gunner,
S/Sgt Lewis W. Priegel, tail gunner. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.