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Jackson10
5/28/2008 1:02:52 PM | Hello, My name is Jim Harrington. My Great uncle was Daniel E Harrington, he was a waist gunner onboard AirCraft # 42-97406 He was KIA on 19 April 1944 on his way to Kassel. I am looking for any information about this crew and Aircraft, I have found a little information, but a lot of it seems incorrect. I have two mission numbers 52 and 138 and neither list any aircraft with this number missing, or even being on the mission. The information I do have that I believe to be correct is the Date of his death and the mission to Eschwege Airfield in Kassel. That information is on a letter to our family from the War Dept, dated 14 October 1946. I would be very thankfull If anyone had some information or a web site that might be helpfull.
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Paul Bellamy
5/28/2008 5:46:39 PM | Hi Jim,
B-17G-45-BO 42-97406 was delivered to the Cheyenne depot on the 26th February 1944.
Assigned to the 96th Bomb Group, 413th Bomb Squadron, Snetterton Heath on the 7th April 1944, then transferred to the 91st Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Squadron at Bassingbourn on the 12th April 1944.
Your Great Uncle S/Sgt Daniel E. Harrington, Jr. (ASN 15075875) was the Waist Gunner (only one waist gunner in B-17s at this stage of the war) for her final mission on the 19th April 1944, the loss of the aircraft and her crew is recorded in MACR 4047. This was the 91st Bomb Group's 138th mission.
Crew List for '406 on Mission 138:
Pilot: Lt. John H. LaFontin KIA
Copilot: 2Lt Lynn L. Bostick KIA
Navigator: Lt Frank T. Keneley POW
Bombardier: 2Lt Angelo J. Depeder POW
Top Turret/ Engineer: T/Sgt Samuel L. Sommers POW
Radio Operator: S/Sgt Daniel S. Abeles POW
Ball Turret Gunner: S/Sgt Donald E. Schwab POW
Waist Gunner: S/Sgt Daniel E. Harrington, Jr. KIA
Tail Gunner: S/Sgt Kenneth P. Fiigen POW
You need to look at the 91st Bomb Group records, of which the 401st Bomb Squadron was a part, rather than the records of the the 401st Bomb Group which is where you are here.
As such, the 401st Bomb Squadron daily reports for the period covering the mission can be read HERE.
The main 91st Bomb Group website, with contact details can be found HERE.
I hope that's of use.
Best wishes,
Paul Bellamy
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Jackson10
5/29/2008 4:02:40 PM | Paul, Thank you for the information. It is a great start, I will lok up the 91st Bomber Group information as you suggested. Once again Thank you, Jim.
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Paul Bellamy
5/29/2008 6:53:16 PM | You're very welcome Jim,
I hope you find what you need, if not please feel free to contact me and I'll assist where I can.
Best wishes,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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kbelden
8/3/2008 1:39:41 PM | Jim,
My name is Kevin Belden. I learned through your question and Paul's response that my uncle, Donald E. Schwab, was a crewmate of your great uncle. I've just started to do some research on his war service, my renewed interest prompted by a visit of a B-17 to Albany NY this weekend. My uncle survived bailing out, but I was told by my mother, his sister, that he was injured during his parachute descent. He recovered from his injuries and was a POW until liberated from Stalag 17B.
An interesting note...I just learned is that my uncle was apparently on the crew of Shoo Shoo Baby on its first combat flight on March 24, 1944. I believe Shoo Shoo Baby is one of only two remaining 91st Bomb Group B-17s, the other being the Memphis Belle (please correct me if I'm wrong, Paul). Both planes are now at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton Ohio.
Good luck with your research on your great uncle.
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donaldbyers
8/3/2008 7:43:06 PM | Jim if you send me your e-mail address I can send some other informations from Footnote which has the MACR 4047 which is on this aircraft.
Don Byers
donald_byers@sbcglobal.net
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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codi601
8/18/2008 5:08:49 PM | I live in Dayton OH and I visit the museum often. The B-17, Shoo Shoo baby is on display and proudly I might add. It is now named (if I recall correctly) Shoo Shoo Shoo Shoo baby. My Dad, Vincent Codispoti was in the 401st, 612 squadron.
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