31st December 1943

Boeing B-17G-5-BO "Stinky Weather" (s/n 42-31179 code DS-B)

Kerbors "Bellevue" (22)
(contributors : Gilles Billion)

Crew (351^st BG, 511^th BS) :

- (Pilot) 2^nd Lt. Warren L. PUTMAN, Plot N Row 1 Grave 17, Brittany American Cemetery St. James.

- (Co-Pilot) F/O. Thomas A. IRVINE, Cemetery Belle Vernon, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA - Section 05, Lot 144, Grave 8

- (Navigator) 2^nd Lt. Irving J. SHWAYDER, evaded

Irving J. SHWAYDER - Photo © American Air Museum UPL 31159

- (Bombardier) 2^nd Lt. Jack R. WOOD, wounded, POW

- (Top turret gunner) Sgt. Ray E. PRATER. Plot O Row 5 Grave 23. Brittany American Cemetery St. James.

- (Radio operator) S/Sgt. Wesley F. GREENE, POW Stalag 17B

Wesley F. GREENE - Photo © American Air Museum UPL 7028

- (Bowl turret gunner) Sgt. Albert R. CUSTER, (service number 35410746), Plot J Row 16 Grave 10. Brittany American Cemetery St. James.

Albert R. CUSTER - Photo © American Air Museum UPL 6874

-(Left waist gunner) Sgt. John J. GILSON, evaded then captured by the Gestapo in Toulouse (souther France) and POW Stalag 17B.

John J. GILSON Jr. - Photo © American Air Museum UPL 7027

- (Right waist gunner) Sgt. Robert O. DIEHL, POW

- (Tail gunner) Sgt. Jack D. McKINNEY, POW

THE STORY
The B-17G "Stinky Weather" was delivered to Denver on 09/29/1943, then to Grand Island on 10/22/1943 and Wilmington on 10/31/1943. He was assigned to 511^th BS/351^st BG on 12/23/1943 at RAF base in Polebrook (Northamptonshire, England). He was shot down eight days later, probably hit by the Flak then by the Obfw Wilhelm Streckert aboard a Me Bf-109G-6 (6./JG 2 ?). 4 crew members were killed.

IN MEMORIAM

The memorial to the four airmen killed in the crash of the B-17 "Stinky Weather"
Photo © collection Christian Kermoal

IN THE  PRESS !

     • 2013