Lewis' Crew's B-17 over Kohlenbissen - 7 April 1945

Information about this photograph:

  1. Aircraft No: 43-39227
  2. Tail Letter: S; Fuselage ID: 3O-S
  3. Group/Squadron: 398th, 601st
  4. Official Name of Aircraft: Unknown
  5. Date of Photograph: 7 April 1945
  6. Photo Location: over Kohlenbissen
  7. Crew at time of Photograph: Lewis' Crew
  8. Final Disposition of A/C: Unknown
  9. Interpretive Comments: The above photo shows 398th, 601st Squadron B-17G A/C #339227-S, Squadron 3O (601st) at 23,600 feet over Kohlenbissen, Germany on 7 April 1945. Guns are pointed and alert for enemy fighters.

The Lewis' Crew at the time of the photograph:

  • 1st Lt. David W. Lewis, Pilot
  • 2nd Lt. Albert L. Morton, Co-Pilot
  • 2nd Lt. Charles G. Bolthouse, Navigator
  • S/Sgt. Theodore D. Paxson, Togglier
  • T/Sgt. Frank E. Gabriel, Engineer / Top turret
  • T/Sgt. Thomas H. Cole, Radio Operator
  • S/Sgt. Lynn W. Barnes, Waist gunner
  • S/Sgt. Leslie E. Woelflin, Ball Turret
  • S/Sgt. Billy M Bourlon, Tail Gunner

In the upper right is another B-17. Under close observation, Lee Anne Bradley, sees the letter "J" and the last two numbers of the serial number as "17". Records confirm this plane was 44-8517 J. The flight crew on April 7, 1945 for B-17 # 44-8517 J 601st sq was as follows:

  • 2nd Lt. Edward J. Vallish, Pilot
  • 2nd Lt. Fred C. Menska, Co-Pilot
  • F/O Manuel Solane, Navigator
  • 1st Lt. Donald C. Bonner, Bombardier
  • T/Sgt. Vincent A. Bonagura, Engineer
  • T/Sgt. Harry C. Auditore, Radio Op
  • S/Sgt. Edward H. Frickson, Waist Gunner
  • S/Sgt. Phillip Collins, Ball Turret
  • S/Sgt. Marion A. Galloway, Tail Gunner
  • S/Sgt. Louis P. Chaudet, Spot Jammer

The photo was taken by John Bornstedt, pilot, 601st Squadron on his 30th mission. John Bornstedt flew 35 missions between 24 December 1944 and 16 April 1945. The Bornstedt crew for April 7, 1945 on B-17 #44-6821 Y was as follows:

  1. 1st Lt. J. W. Bornstedt, Pilot
  2. 2nd Lt. Dewey E. Coe, Co-Pilot
  3. 2nd Lt. Donald W. Bartlow, Navigator
  4. S/Sgt. Frederick W. Hinze, Togglier
  5. T/Sgt. Claud V. Stanbrough, Engineer / Top Turret
  6. T/Sgt. Libero Fattorini, Radio Operator
  7. S/Sgt. Fred L. McAdam, Waist Gunner
  8. S/Sgt. Robert W. Bonasch, Ball Turret
  9. S/Sgt. Albert L. Chamrad, Tail Gunner

Source Infomation:

  1. Photo Source: John Bornstedt's 398th Photo Collection
  2. Photo Reference: 43-39227-3O-S_19450407_JB
  3. Photographer: John Bornstedt
  4. Information compiled by the 398th Web team with special thanks to Don Parks.
  5. If you would like to add information about this photograph, please contact our Aircraft Photo Coordinator. Please include the title.





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