B-17 (42-38202) 'BTO in the ETO' Crash Site and USAAF Memorial
Details:
Just of the major roadway in a clearing Monument
A silhouette of a full-sized B-17 with a replica tail wing which is inscribed.
The memorial remembers B-17 (42-38202) 'BTO in the ETO' and all the casualties of the US Army Air Forces in World War 2.
B-17 'BTO in the ETO' was piloted by 1st Louis Hernandez of the 729th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Group of the 8th US Air Force. (BTO - Big Time Operator) The plane was shot down on June 21, 1944 the plane was shot down over Poland on its way to Poltava, Ukraine (Soviet Union) after a bombing mission to Germany as part of "Operation Frantic". Three of the crew were captured and became POWs. The others joined the Polish Resistance Fighters fighting with the 'Zenon' Forces of the Polish Partisans, 34th Regiment. After 36 days they linked up with Soviet Forces when they overran the area where the partisans were fighting and were repatriated to England.
The memorial was dedicated in 2000.
Source:
Americanairmuseum.com
polish forums.com
Monument Text:
The text on the tailwind is written in Polish and English. The English reads:
On the Tail:
L
38202
Q
Side 1:
TO THE MEMORY OF 41,802
AIRMAN OF THE US ARMY
AIRFORCES WHO WERE KILLED
BRINGING FREEDOM TO THE OCCUPIED
EUROPEAN COUTRIES AND SUCCESSFULLY
DESTROYING
THE THRID REICH MILITARY
POTENTAIL
AS TESTIMONY OF GRATITUDE
AND COMMEMORATION
OF THE POLISH PEOPLE
Side 2:
Aircraft 38202/Q belonged to the 452nd BG 8th AF and crashed 21 JUN 1944 after bomb targets in Nazi Germany and on their way to Połtava Air Base/ Ukraine. Because of damages taken during the mission, crew decided to jump out out damage plane. Three of the crew captured by Germans:
T/Sgt. Jack P White Radioman
S/Sgt. William Cabaniss Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt. Arnold G Shumate Tail Gunner
Rest of the crew joined Polish guerrilla unit 34th PP AK "Zenon" and fought against the Germans. They moved to Russia year after to rejoin the US Air Force.
1st/Lt Louis L Hernandez Pilot
2nd/Lt Thomas J Madden Co-Pilot
2nd/Lt Alfred R Lea Navigator
2nd/Lt Joseph Baker Bombardier
T/Sgt. Anthony Hutchison Engineer
S/Sgt. Herschel Wise Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Robert Gilbert Waist Gunner
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
452nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
729th Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bomb Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
Partisans
Resistance
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Operation Frantic
Other images :
