B-17 "Blue Streak" 486BG

There is some irony in this account of the “Blue Streak” , a B-17 from the 486th BG-receiving what is probably a direct hit from an 88mm anti-aircraft artillery piece,

This B-17 was piloted by 2 LT David Paris, from New Albany, Indiana. David Paris was an Eagle Scout, and the family
received only a parachute with kitbag as personal effects following his death. There is a marker in the New Albany cemetery, placed by his brother CPT John Paris, a flight surgeon in a Tunisia AirCobra Group during WW II. The further irony continues as John Paris was my father-in-law before his passing in 2002.

My father was a bombardier in the B-24 “Modest Maiden”, with the 491st BG-North Pickenham. In his Bombardier’s Case or kitbag, amazingly enough-was a newspaper clipping of the “Blue Streak” direct hit-from a local English newspaper in November, 1944. There is no explanation other than coincidence as to this account being in the kitbag of my father.
But it is supreme irony. He survived 30 bombing missions over occupied France and Nazi Germany.

Thanks Bomberboy for the clarification.

The 398th did employ Toggliers on a regular basis, but I was being lazy and hadn’t picked up Cliff Bishop’s book to see which crew position was effectively ‘given up’. The navigator makes sense, although I am aware of a particularly famous action, where the nose section of a 398th BG B-17 was blown off by a direct 88mm flak hit. The Togglier died instantly, but the Navigator, not only survived, but also was largely unscathed! The photo of the B-17 is quite a famous and well used one.

The DeLancey’s Crew at the time of the photograph:

1) 1st Lt. Lawrence M. DeLancey, Pilot
2) 1st Lt. Phillip H. Stahlman, Co-Pilot
3) 2nd Lt. Raymond J. LeDoux, Navigator
4) S/Sgt. George E. Abbott, Togglier, KIA
5) T/Sgt. Benjamin H. Ruckel, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner;
6) T/Sgt. Wendell A. Reed, Radio Operator, Gunner
7) T/Sgt. Russell A. Lachman, Waist Gunner
8) S/Sgt. Albert Albro, Ball Turret Gunner
9) S/Sgt. Herbert D. Guild, Tail Gunner

Shabby
www.55th.org
www.station131.co.uk

Makes a lot of sense, thanks everyone. D

..page 375

It would suggest that it was only carrying a crew of 9. I know many Groups operated with Toggliers, rather than Bombardiers (they bombed on the mark of the lead Bombardier), but not sure which position they would have given up, or asked to perform that role (?).

This in the right direction.
A Togglier was a mix of a Bombardier/Navigator all rolled into one, but not necessarily as masterful in the relevant crafts as the singularly focused skills.

There was also the practice to only carry one waist gunner per-see, with the second waist gunners position being filled by the then largely unoccupied (over the enemy territory at least) Radio Operator.

I notice you intimate to have some link with the 398th perhaps (station 131 in your sign off), well as they were a late group to partake in hostile action, I believe they would have operated these methods more so than perhaps the well established groups.

Bomberboy

From Roger Freeman’s ‘Mighty Eighth War Diary’

..page 375

‘The Fortress was 486BG’s Blue Streak, the first combat loss of 834BS in the 78 missions flown since entering combat. 2/Lt. David Paris and crew perished.’

It would suggest that it was only carrying a crew of 9. I know many Groups operated with Toggliers, rather than Bombardiers (they bombed on the mark of the lead Bombardier), but not sure which position they would have given up, or asked to perform that role (?).

According to Roger’s book, an 88mm shell exploded in the left main fuel tank.

Shabby
www.station131.co.uk
www.55th.org

I have read that the 17 sometimes flew with only 9, not bringing the bombardier/navigator being that they were flying and bombing in tight formation and the position was unnecessary. But if you fall from formation……so if it says 9 crew KIA, I would not do the math and assume one got out.

The standard crew compliment of a B-17 was 10

Crew: 10: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier/nose gunner, flight engineer-top turret gunner, radio operator, waist gunners (2), ball turret gunner, tail gunner

see … http://www.arizonawingcaf.com/pages/crew.html

Incredible as it seems – did someone survive that?

43-37883 shot down by flak on a raid, crashing near Meresburg, 2nd November 1944. Pilot – Paris. Confirmed 9 men killed.

Freeman B17 Flying Fortress Story

Moggy

43-37 883

found here
http://www.486th.org/Aircraft/B17Index4.htm
lost November 2, 1944, 9 crew KIA (does that mean one survived?)

And Moggy, yes the code/marking for the 486th was a big W (have a look in the website I’ve just referenced above

In Gun Camera – World War II by L Douglas Keeney the image is reproduced much larger.

The B17 top right can be made out more clearly

It appears to be carrying a large number ’25’ or ’29’ painted in front of the starboard waist gun. And I mean large – say five feet cap height?

On its starboard wing top surface is what looks like ‘W’ in a square so 486BG looks a runner.

Moggy

I’ve also googled for it…found the same image twice and neither were any help. One used as a generic “their B-17 was shot down but all the crew bailed out safely”, I don’t think so in this case. The other caption was in spanish, but something to the effect of the Luftwaffe destroys another B-17 in Germany.

It looks to me like it took a hit by a large calibre flak, 88 or 128, direct hit, shearing off the nose and #2 engine. Abrubt and violent.

The call letters and tail ensignia on the surrounding A/C seem to be painted over, censored, which makes tracking the incident even harder. There is the serial number in the lower right corner that might be tracable in the National Achive. That is about as far as I can get with it.