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22.10.1944. 305BG 422BS B-17G 43-38030 1st Lt. Lichty Location: Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England
This reproduced page is from our first website. It is now listed for review and reconstruction to a new high standard, as with many such pages it holds inaccuracies created by an inappropriate cause to be disclosed.

Mission: Hanover, Germany

Date: 22nd October 1944 (Sunday)

Unit: 305th BG, 422nd BS.

Type: Boeing B-17G-75-BO Flying Fortress (“My Achin’ B”)

Serial: 43-38030

Code: JJ-E

Base: Chelveston, Northamptonshire, England

Location: Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England

Pilot: 1st Lt. Philip A. Lichty. 0-816510. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Co- Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert Coverstone. 0-763082. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Navigator: 2nd Lt. John L. Touchett. 718495. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Michael J. Veraa. 0-718036. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Top Turret/Flt. Engr: S/Sgt. Albert B. Zieglmeier. 37547381. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Radio Operator: S/Sgt. Harold E. Boling. 35251603. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Ball Turret Gunner: S/Sgt. Nick Colaiuta. 33702503. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Waist Gunner: S/Sgt. Ersel E. Lennier. 38508983. U.S.A.A.F. Killed

Tail Gunner: S/Sgt. William R. Robinson. 13003023. 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-75-BO 43-38030 and B-17G-80-BO43-38133 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.
boeing-b-17g-75-bo-flying-fortress-0028201cmy-achin2019-b201d0029-43-38030-jj-e-collision Tragic photo taken seconds after collision between the two 305BG B-17s 43-38030 and 43-38133.

madingley-american-cemetery-cambridge Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge.
Burial details: 2nd Lt. Robert Coverstone. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England Plot F. Row 7. Grave 37 Entered the service from California. Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters 2nd Lt. Michael J. Veraa. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot D. Row 6. Grave 43 Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart S/Sgt. Albert B. Zieglmeier. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot D. Row 6. Grave 84 Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster S/Sgt. Harold E. Boling. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot D. Row 7. Grave 43 Entered the service from Indiana. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart S/Sgt. Nick Colaiuta. Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot F. Row 5. Grave 138 Entered the service from Oregon. Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart S/Sgt. Ersel E. Lennier.Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Plot F. Row 1. Grave 84 Entered the service from Arkansas. Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters 1st Lt. Philip A. Lichty. Philip is remembered on the Veterans Monument, Mason City, Iowa. Stone 7. Side 2. 1st Colum. Middle 2nd Lt. John L. Touchett was returned to the U.S.A. at the request of his family and buried in a cemetery in the state of Wisconsin S/Sgt. William R. Robinson For details on the second aircraft involved: Please click (“here”) Researched 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.

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