A lot is known about the B-17 with ID 42-5913 (Shack Bunny). For an article in de Dutch Studie Group Air War 1939-1945 I am searching for info on the exact locations where the crew members were taken prisoner. And their fate afterwards.
I understand that Chester Lisiewski made contact with locals in Neerpelt in Belgium (where he supposedly landed with his parachute). This is however 40 kilometers NW of the location where the plane crashed near a hamlet called Slek in the Netherlands. He was then connected to the Comet Line escape group who got him as far as Paris, where he was also finally taken prisoner in Jan 44. Question is whether he indeed landed in Belgium, and did the others land there as well. Or was it NL, and did he get help from there on.
Do you hold any records on this, e.g. reports on questioning the crew after the war.
Many thanks,
Har Gootzen
Op de Baant 4
6112 BA Sint Joost, Netherlands
admin Post author
I have not been able to find any definitive information that would help. Have you reviewed the Missing Aircrew Report (MACR #828) for this incident? That may give additional details. If you have not, I will try to get a copy from the archives.
Tom Gagnon
Robert Nunamaker
I apologize but this comment isn’t about your current discussion. I am trying to find more information about B-17 42-31237 Alexander’s Ragtime Band my High School history teacher in 1990 was Mr. Emile E. Smedley the Right Waist Gunner. Unfortunately he passed away on March 16th 2004 at the time i was still in the Marine Corps and was actually in Iraq. When i had last spoke to him which had been over a year he was starting to tell me more about his service with the 385th Bomber Group.I would not only appreciate it but would be eternally grateful if anyone had more information on this B-17 and Emile Smedly thank you.
Sincerely;
Gysgt Robert Nunamaker USMC Ret.
Force Recon
admin Post author
A quick review finds that Mr. Smedly flew 4 combat missions, all as a member of the Novotny crew. Each mission was in a different aircraft. His last mission Was in Alexander’s Ragtime Band. A brief mission summary notes that the aircraft crash landed in England upon return from the mission. The summary further indicates that 8 crewmen bailed out and were taken prisoner and that 2 crewmen returned, apparently surviving the crash landing. This is supported by the fact that Lt. Novotny and his copilot went on to fly several additional missions after the date of the crash. I am away from home at the moment, but expect I may be able to find some additional information when I return in a week or so. In the interim, you may wish to peruse the Airman Database on our site. If you enter Smedly, E. E. in the name field and Submit, you should get a bit of information on each of his missions. If you enter Alexander’s Ragtime Band in B-17 Name and 102 in Mission, then Submit, you should see the names of those who flew that aircraft on that mission. I haven’t pursued further, but I suspect if you query the database for each name on that mission, you will find that only the pilot and copilot had missions beyond mission 102 and the rest send at 102, like Mr. Smedly.
Larry Pope
I was born a couple of miles from Great Ashfield on 5th June 1944. To everyone involved in the war effort, alive and passed, – Thank You, thank you.
Forrest Crowe
I was able to obtain all the missions that James R. Stapp was on from your web site. James had a brother Herbert A. Stapp in the 94th bomb group but I have not been able to find a listing of his missions in any of their web sites. How can I find this information on Herbert A. Stapp. Thank you, Forrest
Clay Montgomery
Hello 385thBGA, my best friend was a tail gunner in the B-17G, “Ruby’s Raiders”, his name was Earl Martin. He told me that he was in another B-17F before the arrival of “Ruby’s Raiders”, by the name of “Joker” but I can not find any info about it anywhere. I was also wondering what Bomb Squadron Earl Martin was a part of. Thank you for continuing their legacy!!
admin Post author
Forest, I am unaware of any other site that would provide the information you are seeking. The British Imperial War Museum (IWM) has a site for their American Air Museum, http://www.americanairmuseum.com that sometimes contains some information about Bomb Groups, B-17s and personnel. Beyond that, there are U.S. Archives that hold a treasure-trove of information, but you often have to do research in person. One I am familiar with is located in College Park, MD, http://www.archives.cog/college-park. I am not certain whether they do anything by mail or email. I hope this is helpful. And I apologize for taking so long to respond. I was on an extended motorhome trip in October and early November and apparently missed the notice of your comment/question. Hopefully “better late than never” applies in this case.
admin Post author
Clay, I have sent you an email listing all of Earl Martin’s combat missions and the aircraft he flew on. He flew on many different aircraft besides Ruby’s Raiders.
The first mission listed was on aircraft number 42-38031, Hit Parade, Jr. Our records have that aircraft listed with two names.
Hit Parade, Jr. was painted on the right nose and Joker was painted on the left nose. I have located two photos of the aircraft, but, unfortunately, both show the right nose, which, indeed is painted Hit Parade, Jr. Oh, and it has a chin turret so it is likely a G model, not F. Unfortunately, I have been unable to determine what squadron he was in. I hope this information and the email I sent help.
Monte McWilliams
I’m just to here to say this is one of the best WWII websites I’ve ever come across. Thank you!
Mel Sapiro
Can you send me information regarding the last mission of Lt. Gilbert Sapiro on March 23 1944 Navigator on b17 mission over Germany
admin Post author
Mel, I will reply via emailas there is too much information to include here.
Tom
Brian Baum
Looking for information about the crash of the Old Shillelagh in 1943 over the North Sea. My grandfather, SSG Blaine V. Baum, was a gunner on the plane and was injured. Uncertain if he ever went up again.
admin Post author
Brian, I apologize for the delayed response. Earlier this month, the site was bombarded with a large number of Spam comments and I missed your comment when dealing with the Spam.
My records show that all crew members were rescued and returned to base after Old Shillelagh ditched. They also show that your grandfather went on to fly a couple additional missions. His complete mission list, according to my records is as follows:
Name Pos Msn Date Target Crew B-17
Baum, Blaine V. G 1 17-Jul-43 Amsterdam Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 2 24-Jul-43 Bergen Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 3 25-Jul-43 Wernemunde Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 5 28-Jul-43 Oscherleben Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 6 29-Jul-43 Wernemunde Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 32 5-Nov-43 GelsenKirchen Morgan Mary Pat, 42-3292
Baum, Blaine V. G 35 16-Nov-43 Rjuken Morgan ?, 42-31171
Again, sorry for the delay. Let me know if I can be of any further help.
Brian Baum
Thank you very much! My family has very little history on SSG Blaine V. Baum. I am a Social Studies teacher and Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am tryin gmy best to find info on him out. Thank you again.
– Brian T. Baum
A lot is known about the B-17 with ID 42-5913 (Shack Bunny). For an article in de Dutch Studie Group Air War 1939-1945 I am searching for info on the exact locations where the crew members were taken prisoner. And their fate afterwards.
I understand that Chester Lisiewski made contact with locals in Neerpelt in Belgium (where he supposedly landed with his parachute). This is however 40 kilometers NW of the location where the plane crashed near a hamlet called Slek in the Netherlands. He was then connected to the Comet Line escape group who got him as far as Paris, where he was also finally taken prisoner in Jan 44. Question is whether he indeed landed in Belgium, and did the others land there as well. Or was it NL, and did he get help from there on.
Do you hold any records on this, e.g. reports on questioning the crew after the war.
Many thanks,
Har Gootzen
Op de Baant 4
6112 BA Sint Joost, Netherlands
I have not been able to find any definitive information that would help. Have you reviewed the Missing Aircrew Report (MACR #828) for this incident? That may give additional details. If you have not, I will try to get a copy from the archives.
Tom Gagnon
I apologize but this comment isn’t about your current discussion. I am trying to find more information about B-17 42-31237 Alexander’s Ragtime Band my High School history teacher in 1990 was Mr. Emile E. Smedley the Right Waist Gunner. Unfortunately he passed away on March 16th 2004 at the time i was still in the Marine Corps and was actually in Iraq. When i had last spoke to him which had been over a year he was starting to tell me more about his service with the 385th Bomber Group.I would not only appreciate it but would be eternally grateful if anyone had more information on this B-17 and Emile Smedly thank you.
Sincerely;
Gysgt Robert Nunamaker USMC Ret.
Force Recon
A quick review finds that Mr. Smedly flew 4 combat missions, all as a member of the Novotny crew. Each mission was in a different aircraft. His last mission Was in Alexander’s Ragtime Band. A brief mission summary notes that the aircraft crash landed in England upon return from the mission. The summary further indicates that 8 crewmen bailed out and were taken prisoner and that 2 crewmen returned, apparently surviving the crash landing. This is supported by the fact that Lt. Novotny and his copilot went on to fly several additional missions after the date of the crash. I am away from home at the moment, but expect I may be able to find some additional information when I return in a week or so. In the interim, you may wish to peruse the Airman Database on our site. If you enter Smedly, E. E. in the name field and Submit, you should get a bit of information on each of his missions. If you enter Alexander’s Ragtime Band in B-17 Name and 102 in Mission, then Submit, you should see the names of those who flew that aircraft on that mission. I haven’t pursued further, but I suspect if you query the database for each name on that mission, you will find that only the pilot and copilot had missions beyond mission 102 and the rest send at 102, like Mr. Smedly.
I was born a couple of miles from Great Ashfield on 5th June 1944. To everyone involved in the war effort, alive and passed, – Thank You, thank you.
I was able to obtain all the missions that James R. Stapp was on from your web site. James had a brother Herbert A. Stapp in the 94th bomb group but I have not been able to find a listing of his missions in any of their web sites. How can I find this information on Herbert A. Stapp. Thank you, Forrest
Hello 385thBGA, my best friend was a tail gunner in the B-17G, “Ruby’s Raiders”, his name was Earl Martin. He told me that he was in another B-17F before the arrival of “Ruby’s Raiders”, by the name of “Joker” but I can not find any info about it anywhere. I was also wondering what Bomb Squadron Earl Martin was a part of. Thank you for continuing their legacy!!
Forest, I am unaware of any other site that would provide the information you are seeking. The British Imperial War Museum (IWM) has a site for their American Air Museum, http://www.americanairmuseum.com that sometimes contains some information about Bomb Groups, B-17s and personnel. Beyond that, there are U.S. Archives that hold a treasure-trove of information, but you often have to do research in person. One I am familiar with is located in College Park, MD, http://www.archives.cog/college-park. I am not certain whether they do anything by mail or email. I hope this is helpful. And I apologize for taking so long to respond. I was on an extended motorhome trip in October and early November and apparently missed the notice of your comment/question. Hopefully “better late than never” applies in this case.
Clay, I have sent you an email listing all of Earl Martin’s combat missions and the aircraft he flew on. He flew on many different aircraft besides Ruby’s Raiders.
The first mission listed was on aircraft number 42-38031, Hit Parade, Jr. Our records have that aircraft listed with two names.
Hit Parade, Jr. was painted on the right nose and Joker was painted on the left nose. I have located two photos of the aircraft, but, unfortunately, both show the right nose, which, indeed is painted Hit Parade, Jr. Oh, and it has a chin turret so it is likely a G model, not F. Unfortunately, I have been unable to determine what squadron he was in. I hope this information and the email I sent help.
I’m just to here to say this is one of the best WWII websites I’ve ever come across. Thank you!
Can you send me information regarding the last mission of Lt. Gilbert Sapiro on March 23 1944 Navigator on b17 mission over Germany
Mel, I will reply via emailas there is too much information to include here.
Tom
Looking for information about the crash of the Old Shillelagh in 1943 over the North Sea. My grandfather, SSG Blaine V. Baum, was a gunner on the plane and was injured. Uncertain if he ever went up again.
Brian, I apologize for the delayed response. Earlier this month, the site was bombarded with a large number of Spam comments and I missed your comment when dealing with the Spam.
My records show that all crew members were rescued and returned to base after Old Shillelagh ditched. They also show that your grandfather went on to fly a couple additional missions. His complete mission list, according to my records is as follows:
Name Pos Msn Date Target Crew B-17
Baum, Blaine V. G 1 17-Jul-43 Amsterdam Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 2 24-Jul-43 Bergen Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 3 25-Jul-43 Wernemunde Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 5 28-Jul-43 Oscherleben Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 6 29-Jul-43 Wernemunde Grodi The Old Shillelagh, 42-30270
Baum, Blaine V. G 32 5-Nov-43 GelsenKirchen Morgan Mary Pat, 42-3292
Baum, Blaine V. G 35 16-Nov-43 Rjuken Morgan ?, 42-31171
Again, sorry for the delay. Let me know if I can be of any further help.
Thank you very much! My family has very little history on SSG Blaine V. Baum. I am a Social Studies teacher and Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am tryin gmy best to find info on him out. Thank you again.
– Brian T. Baum
Glad I could help.