6 Replies Latest reply on Dec 2, 2020 3:50 PM by Moi Watson

    Searching for accident report of Old Faithful

    Moi Watson Newbie
    Moi Watson Nov 25, 2020 10:06 PM

      I am looking for an Accident Report relating to the crash landing of B-17 #42-29690 "Old Faithful" at RAF Oulton, Norfolk ,UK. It was after the 8th Bomber Command Mission 79 to WARNEMUNDE by 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group on 29 July 1943. Thank you in advance.

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        • Re: Searching for accident report of Old Faithful
          Elliot Schneider Pioneer
          Elliot Schneider Nov 26, 2020 11:54 AM (in response to Moi Watson)

          Moi,

           

          Here is some information:

           

          http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/3613

           

           

           

          • T/Sgt Leroy Pikelis (engineer)

             

            Lt Harry J Cornell (copilot)

             

            Lt James C Meade (navigator)

             

            M L Lawrence (bombardier)

             

            T/Sgt L J Fecteau (radio)

             

            T/Sgt Chester S Voorhis (ball turret gunner) was born on nov 18th, 1920 - passed away on dec 4th, 1961

             

            Lt Joseph "Joe" Winters Kane (pilot) was born on june 1st, 1920 - passed away on nov 29th, 2011

             

          • COMMENTS 1

            • 2 weeks before this pic was taken (29th july 1943, mission to Kiel) Joe Kane's crew was attacked by Fw190s, when flying aboard 42-29690 "Old Faithful". Gene Foster (Left Waist Gunner) was KIA, J J Vachout (Tail Gunner) MIA and Charles B Lozenski (Right Waist Gunner) badly wounded. Most of the crew were decorated (Kane receiving the Silver Star) from "John Burn 1 0 5" by William
          1 person found this helpful
            • Re: Searching for accident report of Old Faithful
              Moi Watson Newbie
              Moi Watson Nov 27, 2020 9:35 AM (in response to Elliot Schneider)

              Thank you very much for taking the time to respond and for the links, and the extra information on the pilot and ball turret gunner.

               

              I've used some of this, information from The Mighty Eighth War Diary (Roger Freeman) and the 365th Bomb Squadron War Diary to add more detail but was curious to know if there was a formal Accident Report since there was no MACR for SSgt Vachout who was listed MIA then KIA, although there is no record of a body being found. I am assuming this change in status was due to some formal investigation of the incident and that is what I am hoping to find.

                • Re: Searching for accident report of Old Faithful
                  Elliot Schneider Pioneer
                  Elliot Schneider Nov 27, 2020 2:57 PM (in response to Moi Watson)

                  Moi,

                   

                  Here is some additional information below, I did not find any type of report listed for this aircraft or any additional information for July 29th 1943. The unit itself may have conducted an investigation might want to try contacting the 8th AF association if they have one available or looking for records at the Air Force archives.

                   

                  Document Detail for IRISNUM= 00081795
                  IRISNUM00081795OLDACC7267-19TCLASSUNCLASSIFIED
                  BEG_DATE11-01-1942MAINGROUP/0305/BOMBARDMENT (HEAVY)PUB_DATE
                  END_DATE12-31-1943CALLGP-305-HIREEL0000001327
                  ACCS_DATEMAJCOMRECTYPEHISTORY
                  REL_DATE11-07-1984TITLETITLE_XT
                  ACCNOTESIRISREFB0214FRAME910
                  FRAMELST943INDEXID35NUMPAGES33
                  ABSTRACTGROUP'S FIRST MISSION WAS ONE OF DIVERSION, NO BOMBS DROPPED, NO ENEMY OPPOSITION. COMMANDING OFFICER OF GROUP AT THAT TIME WAS COL C. E. LEMAY. FIRST OFFENSIVE MISSION, 23 NOV 42 AGAINST LORIENT, FRANCE. FIRST ENEMY AIR OPPOSITION MET BY GROUP WAS IN MISSION OF 6 DEC 42. NARRATIVE RELATES THAT IN MAY 43, GERMANS BEGAN USING AERIAL BOMBS AGAINST B-17 FORMATIONS. USE OF AERIAL ROCKETS AGAINST B-17 FORMATIONS FOR FIRST TIME, RELATED IN ACCOUNT OF GROUP'S MISSION AGAINST SCHWEINFURT, GERMANY BALL BEARING WORKS, 17 AUG 43. 5 NOV 43, FIRST PATH FINDER FORCE MISSION FOR GROUP. 7 OCT 43 SAW GROUP'S FIRST PROPAGANDA "LEAFLET MISSION."
                  DNOTES
                  ADMINNONEAUTHORTITLE_AE
                  SUBJECT
                  QC_DATEQC_COMMENTSLAST_UPD_DATE
                  For information on obtaining a copy of the document described above, please click hereRecord provided by:

                   

                  Name:John J Vachout
                  Rank:Staff Sergeant
                  Residence Place:Illinois
                  Type of Medal:Air Medal, Purple Heart
                  Service Number:36352591
                  Military Unit:365th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group, Heavy
                  Military Branch:U.S. Army Air Forces
                  War:World War II
                  Death Date:30 Jul 1944
                  Cemetery Section:Tablets of the Missing
                  Cemetery:Netherlands American Cemetery
                  Burial Place:Netherlands

                   

                   

                  Gene Foster information:

                   

                  1 person found this helpful
              • Re: Searching for accident report of Old Faithful
                Shannon Kerner Adventurer
                Shannon Kerner Expert Dec 1, 2020 10:50 AM (in response to Moi Watson)

                Dear Ms. Watson,

                 

                Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

                 

                World War II Army Air Force and Air Force accident reports up to 1955 are in the custody of the Air Force Historical Research Agency, 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL  36112-6424.

                 

                We searched the National Archives Catalog and located 21 file units & 3 items in various record groups that relate to the 365th Bomb Squadron. A few of these file units have been digitized. For access to the non-digitized records, please contact the reference unit listed in the Catalog description.

                 

                Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from various NARA reference units. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

                 

                We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!