Crash of a Boeing B-17F-30-VE Flying Fortress in Opheusden
Date & Time:
Jun 22, 1943 at 1010 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-5880
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rougham - Rougham
MSN:
17-6176
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Rougham (Bury St Edmunds) on an operation to the Chemische Werke synthetic rubber plant located in Hüls. While returning to base, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Opheusden. All 10 crew members parachuted to safety and became PoW.
Crew:
2nd Lt J. G. Sabella, pilot,
F/O D. D. Long, copilot,
T/Sgt G. Eliason, flight engineer,
2nd Lt J. H. Gaudette, navigator,
T/Sgt A. P. Galasso, radio operator,
2nd Lt W. R. Tinker, bombardier,
S/Sgt R. C. Hardin, air gunner,
S/Sgt L. E. Blocker, air gunner,
S/Sgt C. E. Stimpson, air gunner,
Sgt D. C. Benner, air gunner.
Crew:
2nd Lt J. G. Sabella, pilot,
F/O D. D. Long, copilot,
T/Sgt G. Eliason, flight engineer,
2nd Lt J. H. Gaudette, navigator,
T/Sgt A. P. Galasso, radio operator,
2nd Lt W. R. Tinker, bombardier,
S/Sgt R. C. Hardin, air gunner,
S/Sgt L. E. Blocker, air gunner,
S/Sgt C. E. Stimpson, air gunner,
Sgt D. C. Benner, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.
