Request Assistance With Info on a specific B17 Crash.

[Heartfeltzero]

So I have this letter, written by a Lester Eckmann Frankenstein. He served with the 332nd bomb squadron, 94th bomb group as a Navigator on a B-17. According to an old newspaper article I found on Ancestry, Lester received a purple heart after he survived his aircraft being shot down over the English Channel. While searching his records I also found two National Jewish Welfare Board documents. One saying he was indeed wounded. The other saying he was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

My only issue is that I’m having trouble finding any information on any details about his aircraft getting shot down. I haven’t been able to find which specific aircraft it was or anything else. I was hoping someone could attempt to help me out. I appreciate any assistance.

[Rakkasan187]

What we need to know is when his plane went down.. That would help to narrow the search..

Something on the first card mentions the date 10/4/44 from a War Department Release, so there is an initial start point, but I am not seeing anything yet on the 322nd Bomb Squadron site, but I am in the middle of another search right now so I am not really focused yet on this one..

Here is the link to the squadron... Maybe the crew members are listed here..

332nd Bomb Squadron | Bomb Squadron | B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress – The Queen Of The Skies

Smitty

[Willmore]

Edit, Smitty was faster on the draw.

Hi JB.

I don't know if this website will be useful. I did quickly go through every aircraft looking at the names, but didn't see your man. Maybe you could contact them and see if they have any info.

B-17 Flying Fortresses, which were assigned to the 332nd Bomb Squadron.
332nd Bomb Squadron | Bomb Squadron | B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress – The Queen Of The Skies

I will keep searching and if anything comes up I will let you know.

Kind regards,

Will.

[Rakkasan187]

The only other thing I could think of is a MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) but this may need the tail number of the plane, but his name is not too common so it may also pop up somewhere in a MACR database


Smitty

[Heartfeltzero]

Thank you for your help. Someone elsewhere actually solved it! Lester had been on a mission with the B-17 42-102574 “ Florencia” on July 8th 1944. They were over Barenton, France when they took significant damage. On the way back to base, they had to ditch the aircraft over the channel.

[Heartfeltzero]

Hi Will,

Thank you for your help. Someone elsewhere just solved it.

B-17G-55-BO 42-102574 Florencia
07/08/44 XM N Barenton, France. Abort - enemy action. Ditched in the English Channel. (No MACR)
P Skelton, Gwynn E. 1st Lt. O-819195 RTD
CP Mac Rae, Hugh (NMI) 2nd Lt. O-691108 RTD
B Boyd, William R. 2nd Lt. O-706793 WIA
N Snodgrass, James P. Jr. 2nd Lt. O-708577 WIA
E Wetherington, George D. T/Sgt. 34664525 WIA
R Matarese, Christopher R. T/Sgt. 32693041 RTD
BT Frankenstein, Lester E. S/Sgt. 16078659 WIA
WG Munoz, Francisco P. Sgt. 18047119 RTD
WG Pazinin, Andrew F. S/Sgt. 36738534 RTD
TG Di Giovanni, Anthony F. Sgt. 12193131 WIA

Thanks again!

Good day,
JB