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Mission: Hanover, Germany
Date: 22nd October 1944 (Sunday)
Unit: 305th BG 422nd BS.
Type: Boeing B-17G-80-BO Flying Fortress
Serial: 43-38133
Code: WF-E
Base: Chelveston, Northamptonshire, England
Location: Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England
Pilot: 2nd Lt. John Mitchell. 0-825945. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. William C. Shoemaker. 0-827305. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Frank Watkins Jr. 02058386. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Togglier: Sgt. Philip R. Mifsud. 13088303. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Engineer/Top Gunner: Sgt. Billy F. Krug. 37523751. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Radio Operator: Sgt. Ashton W. Hewitt. 33740179. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Eldon D. Peacock. 35228293. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Waist Gunner: Sgt. Burton G. Jenkins. 36864750. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Lennard B. Lindsey. 37724434. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
On returning from a mission to Hanover, Germany two B-17’s from the 305th Bomb Group B-17G-80-BO43-38133 and B-17G-75-BO 43-38030 collided in heavy overcast weather over Station 111, Thurleigh, England. Wreckage was strewed over a wide area of the airfield starting numerous fires at this fellow 40th Combat Wing field, home of the 306th Bomb Group.
Tragic photo taken seconds after collision between the two 305BG B-17s 43-38030 and 43-38133.
Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge.
Burial details: 2nd Lt. John Mitchell 2nd Lt. William C. Shoemaker was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in Pennsylvania 2nd Lt. Frank Watkins Jr. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot F. Row 6. Grave 116 Entered the service from Texas. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart Sgt. Philip R. Mifsud. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot D. Row 5. Grave 7 Entered the service from Pennsylvania. Awards: Purple Heart Sgt. Billy F. Krug was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Pratt County, Kansas Sgt. Ashton W. Hewitt. Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Virginia. Section 12. Site 3563 Sgt. Eldon D. Peacock war returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in the state of Ohio. Eldon is also remembered on the St. Paris and Johnson Township World War II Memorial Sgt. Burton G. Jenkins was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in Michigan Sgt. Lennard B. Lindsey was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in Missouri For further burial details: For details on second aircraft involved: Please click (“here”) Research by David King A. R. Society. Additional research and page construction by Kate Tame for the A.R. Society and the relatives of the crew. Acknowledgments: American Battle Monuments Commission, Roger A Freeman. 306 Bomb Group Association.
Mission: Hanover, Germany
Date: 22nd October 1944 (Sunday)
Unit: 305th BG 422nd BS.
Type: Boeing B-17G-80-BO Flying Fortress
Serial: 43-38133
Code: WF-E
Base: Chelveston, Northamptonshire, England
Location: Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England
Pilot: 2nd Lt. John Mitchell. 0-825945. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. William C. Shoemaker. 0-827305. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Frank Watkins Jr. 02058386. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Togglier: Sgt. Philip R. Mifsud. 13088303. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Engineer/Top Gunner: Sgt. Billy F. Krug. 37523751. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Radio Operator: Sgt. Ashton W. Hewitt. 33740179. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Eldon D. Peacock. 35228293. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Waist Gunner: Sgt. Burton G. Jenkins. 36864750. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Lennard B. Lindsey. 37724434. U.S.A.A.F. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
On returning from a mission to Hanover, Germany two B-17’s from the 305th Bomb Group B-17G-80-BO43-38133 and B-17G-75-BO 43-38030 collided in heavy overcast weather over Station 111, Thurleigh, England. Wreckage was strewed over a wide area of the airfield starting numerous fires at this fellow 40th Combat Wing field, home of the 306th Bomb Group.
Tragic photo taken seconds after collision between the two 305BG B-17s 43-38030 and 43-38133.
Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge.
Burial details: 2nd Lt. John Mitchell 2nd Lt. William C. Shoemaker was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in Pennsylvania 2nd Lt. Frank Watkins Jr. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot F. Row 6. Grave 116 Entered the service from Texas. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart Sgt. Philip R. Mifsud. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot D. Row 5. Grave 7 Entered the service from Pennsylvania. Awards: Purple Heart Sgt. Billy F. Krug was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Pratt County, Kansas Sgt. Ashton W. Hewitt. Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Virginia. Section 12. Site 3563 Sgt. Eldon D. Peacock war returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in the state of Ohio. Eldon is also remembered on the St. Paris and Johnson Township World War II Memorial Sgt. Burton G. Jenkins was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in Michigan Sgt. Lennard B. Lindsey was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and is buried in a cemetery in Missouri For further burial details: For details on second aircraft involved: Please click (“here”) Research by David King A. R. Society. Additional research and page construction by Kate Tame for the A.R. Society and the relatives of the crew. Acknowledgments: American Battle Monuments Commission, Roger A Freeman. 306 Bomb Group Association.