Researcher looking for info on July 26, 1943 - Aircraft of World War II

909CrewFE · 08-28-2007, 05:24 PM

Hello everyone. I am researching the crash of B-17F "Nitemare" on July 26, 1943. Nitemare belonged to the 91st Bomb Group, 324th Squadron. Nitemare was lost on a mission to Hamburg and was initially hit by flak causing it to spin out of control from 26,000 feet to 5,000 feet before control was regained. All but the radio operator bailed out. The ball turret gunner was killed when his chute did not open, and two were killed by the German Army while trying to escape.

I am looking for a way to determine which Luftwaffe pilot was credited with the kill, and any information about the crash, or crewmembers who are still living or their relatives. The following information describes the crew:

Of those that survived when she was shot down, I know that the
following are dead: Rendall (died early 80s), Brack (died mid 90s),
Johnson (not sure when; was told by someone he was dead), and Murray
(he died Oct 30 2001). I had interviewed Brunty, Murray, and Ramsey.
The phone number I had for Brunty is no longer a "valid" number. Too
late to try the one I had for Ramsey (PA number). Neither name turns
up a phone number when run through the locator, however. Too many
with those names in the Social Security Death index to try to check on death.

Brunty told me that Monohan (radio operator) was shot and killed in the air and that Oyler was trapped in the ball turret and could not get out.

Any help with information about the families of the crew, German Luftwaffe claims on this date, and such is appreciated.

Thanks!

Wayne Little · 08-29-2007, 08:25 AM

Can't help with your enquiry but welcome to the site, anyways..

Wurger · 08-30-2007, 01:13 PM

Hallo and greetings from Poland.

I hope, somebody can be helpful there.

ccheese · 08-30-2007, 01:54 PM

Welcome to the forum. I do have a question, tho. If the B-17 was shot
down by flak, why would a LW pilot get credit for it ?

Charles

Erich · 08-30-2007, 02:44 PM

the question is Charles was it shot down by AA or LW fighters ? many times the LW was flying through the Flak to get to the "heavies"

Emac44 · 09-01-2007, 05:09 PM

G'day 909 from Australia

08-28-2007, 05:24 PM	#1
909CrewFE Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2	Researcher looking for info on July 26, 1943 Hello everyone. I am researching the crash of B-17F "Nitemare" on July 26, 1943. Nitemare belonged to the 91st Bomb Group, 324th Squadron. Nitemare was lost on a mission to Hamburg and was initially hit by flak causing it to spin out of control from 26,000 feet to 5,000 feet before control was regained. All but the radio operator bailed out. The ball turret gunner was killed when his chute did not open, and two were killed by the German Army while trying to escape. I am looking for a way to determine which Luftwaffe pilot was credited with the kill, and any information about the crash, or crewmembers who are still living or their relatives. The following information describes the crew: Of those that survived when she was shot down, I know that the following are dead: Rendall (died early 80s), Brack (died mid 90s), Johnson (not sure when; was told by someone he was dead), and Murray (he died Oct 30 2001). I had interviewed Brunty, Murray, and Ramsey. The phone number I had for Brunty is no longer a "valid" number. Too late to try the one I had for Ramsey (PA number). Neither name turns up a phone number when run through the locator, however. Too many with those names in the Social Security Death index to try to check on death. Brunty told me that Monohan (radio operator) was shot and killed in the air and that Oyler was trapped in the ball turret and could not get out. Any help with information about the families of the crew, German Luftwaffe claims on this date, and such is appreciated. Thanks!

08-30-2007, 01:13 PM	#3
Wurger Siggy Master Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 13,974	Hallo and greetings from Poland. I hope, somebody can be helpful there. __________________

08-30-2007, 01:54 PM	#4
ccheese Older Than Dirt Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 7,309	Welcome to the forum. I do have a question, tho. If the B-17 was shot down by flak, why would a LW pilot get credit for it ? Charles __________________ I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either....

08-30-2007, 02:44 PM	#5
Erich the old Sage Join Date: May 2004 Location: Platonic Sphere Posts: 10,775	the question is Charles was it shot down by AA or LW fighters ? many times the LW was flying through the Flak to get to the "heavies" __________________ Rip it up !

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08-29-2007, 08:25 AM	#2
Wayne Little Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Sth. Aust. Posts: 12,525	Can't help with your enquiry but welcome to the site, anyways..

09-01-2007, 05:09 PM	#6
Emac44 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brisbane Queensland Posts: 1,579	G'day 909 from Australia