Crash B-17 Fortress Brec'h
Tribute to the crew of the Boeing B-17 Fortress (flying fortress) N°42-5219 of the 305th Bomb Group, 364th Bomb Squadron of the 8th US Air Force.
After an engine failure, the B-17 is isolated from its formation and targeted by German fighters, it nevertheless manages to bomb the submarine base of Lorient but is once again intercepted by fighters who will get the better of the plane, which breaks up in flight while the entire crew is not yet evacuated.
Of those who managed to jump, two parachutes failed to open and a third was found shot through the head.
Crew:
2nd LT Harry W. Indiere. Pilot. Captured.
2nd LT Joseph B. BOYLE. Co-pilot. Captured
2nd LT Roy E. RICHARDS. Navigator, deceased, lies in Colleville-sur-Mer American Military Cemetery Plot C, Row 28, Grave 9.
2nd T James S. WILSCHKE. Bomber. Escaped, joined Spain.
T/Sgt John W. McFARLAND. Mechanic, deceased, lies in Colleville-sur-Mer American Military Cemetery Plot D, Row 19, Grave 11.
S/Sgt Robert G. NEIL. Radio. Escaped, joined Spain.
S/Sgt Walter E. SCHENK. Machine gunner, deceased, rests in USA.
S/Sgt Denis T. CULLINAN,Jr. Machine gunner, lies in Colleville-sur-Mer American Military Cemetery Plot C, Row 26, Grave 17.
Sgt John D. NORRIS. Machine gunner, 22 years old, deceased, rests in the USA.
S/Sgt Henry .A. Jr. MITCHELL Machine gunner, deceased rests in Manila.
Photo credit Le Bourvellec Eric
