This letter appeared in my local newspaper this week. I hope the sender gets a result; I'll keep you posted if there is any follow-up Keep clicking on the attachment and it should enlarge enough to be readable
390 BG, 570 BS, lost B-17 42-30334 (Virgin Sturgeon) over Friedrichshafen when it collided with 42-30325 (Miss Carry) on this date. The latter aircraft made it back but the former crashed in the area. Pilot William Harding Co-pilot Valdamar Cordova Navigator Clinton Jacobsen Bombardier Edward Morgan Engineer William Craven Tail Gunner John Ovadal Ball Gunner Ralph Ross Radio Operator Mario LoBue Waist Gunner Vincent Plouff.
Thanks Kyt. I don't know if the Ovadal family have this information; I may write to them in case they don't. There seem to be only nine men in this crew not ten. Presumably the engineer was also the top turret gunner, but there seems to be only one waist gunner rather than two. Was this common? Where did this information come from - in case they ask? Adrian
AR, yes, the engineer would have manned the top turret. Am intrigued by there only being one waist gunner.
It would appear that the original list missed one out. The MACR report (MACR 2271) has the following list: * William J Harding * Vincent J Plouff * Valdemar A Cordova * John J Ovadal * Clinton N Jacobsen * Edward F Morgan * Mario G Lobue * George E Fritz * William A Craven * Kenneth J Binder * Ralph N Ross Page 2; Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) of the U.S. Army Air Forces, 1941-1948 - Footnote.com The original was from: Guestbook 2008 and this makes for interesting reading (though not the best reflection of forum etiquette): I've got to share this story........... - ChiefsPlanet
