Personnel

Crew names of B-17F-42-5793



1LT Arthur J Reynolds Pilot Age 24 r. Camas, Washington

2LT John E Russell Co-pilot, Age 23 r. Baldwin, New York

2LT Sheldon V McCormick Navigator, Age 21 r. Jacksonville, Florida

2LT Albert L Rolnick Bombardier, Age 22 r. Baltimore, Maryland

T/SGT Amos H Behl Flight Engineer/ Top Turret Gunner, Age 20 r. Ortonville, Minnesota

SGT Laurie C Evans Waist Gunner Age 29 r. Arcadia, Florida

T/SGT Robert B Holmes Radio/Gunner Age 23 r. Salt Lake City, Utah

SGT Leslie N Boling Ball Turret Gunner, Age 21 r. Dayton, Ohio

SGT William H Landers Waist Gunner, Age 21 r. Madison, Alabama

SGT Andrew J Allison Tail Gunner, about age 19 r. Indio, California

SGT John D May Radio and or Radar Operator Age 24 r. Alexandria, Virginia

M/SGT Robert G Levi Radar Mechanic Age 28 r. Zirconia, North Carolina

CPL Herman J Kolousek Radar Mechanic Age 22 r. Orland, California



Workmen names :



William “Will” Dixon (Home Guard) Age 42 of Finningham. (in charge of horse)

Walter Clarke (ARP) Age 50 of Stradbroke.

Ernest H Barker (ARP) Age 50 of Wetheringsett.

William “Charlie” Burridge Age 48 of Langton Gr





482nd Bomb Group (P) pathfinder aircraft the left Thorpe Abbotts on November 10, 1943 returning to Alconbury. Taking off from the cross runway at Thorpe Abbotts, the aircraft caught Fire and crashed before making an emergency landing at EYE airfield which was under construction at the time and straight ahead. All the crew were KIA.



From our booklet “Arthur later transferred to the US Army Air Force and by June 1942 was at the Advanced Flying School at Lubbock Field, Texas. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps with Class 42-F on July 3, 1942. That same day he received his RCAF pilot wings as did other American pilots. 



Arthur was assigned to the 322nd Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group and arrived in England with the group as it was transferred to RAF Kimbolton from its training base at Walla Walla, Washington, during September 1942. His first mission was also the first that the 91st BG flew on November 7, 1942, from Bassingbourn where the group had moved to on October 14, 1942. Arthur was co-pilot that day on 41-24483 "Spirit of Alcohol”, they aborted this mission due to mechanical issues.”

He flew as co pilot with the Barton crew on “Chief Sly” in the 91st there is a well documented, at the time story from a mission on the 20th December 1942. 

"Hitler built a fortress around Europe... but he forgot to put a lid on it." - FDR



Spent this week in the UK with my great uncle, Lt. Arthur Reynolds. He was a "Pathfinder" pilot carrying top secret equipment when his B17 crashed here in '43, killing all 13, plus 4 civilian workers and their horse. A memorial was to be erected on the sight of the crash so my Aunt, cousin, and myself were enroute to Brome.



Arthur's was the first US plane to carry experimental "ground imaging radar." This would come to change the course of bombing for the remainder of the war, allowing missions to continue when targets were obscured by weather or darkness.



Pathfinders flew ahead of the sortie, located and 'marked' the target with flares and incendiaries, then massive bomber squadrons would follow... and bomb the shit out of those marks.



On arrival, we learn the memorial ceremony is much more than expected. Active RAF and US personnel. National and local press. Color guard. Standards. Trumpeter. Other family descendents. Even a workhorse. The organizers want more family involved in the ceremony so my Aunt signs up to read a poem. My cousin gets to unveil the memorial itself. I receive the folded flag from the color guard on behalf of the families.



It was powerful and emotional. 200 people in attendance. My Aunt gets interviewed by anyone with a press credential.



Unable to describe what an honor this experience was…..john Price