Monument U.S. Eighth Air Force B-17G-15DL 42-37890

B17G-15DL N°42-37890 had two nicknames painted on the nose "ROVIN' Romona II" and "BEST FRIEND".

On April 20, 1944, the aircraft took part in an operation of the 568th Bomber Sqdn near Cherbourg, presumably against the V1 and V2 launch sites. The plane, with a crew of 10, ended up in FLAK and was hit. It started to spin and went in an arc to the ground and exploded before it hit the ground. According to crew members of the other aircraft, one wing was fully engulfed in flames when it descended.
The crew did not have time to get off the plane.

Top gunner, Jesse Roberts was ejected from the plane and captured near the crash site.

Crew members:
1st Lieutenant Richard Lee MANN, Pilot, KIA
2nd Lieutenant John E. VAUGHAN, CoPilot, KIA
2nd Lieutenant McKinnon CAMERON, Bomber, KIA
Caporal Bernard A. ANDERSON, Radio, KIA
Tech/Sergeant Jesse W. ROBERTS, Gunner, Prisoner
Staff/Sergeant Raymond ZUCCO, Gunner, KIA
Staff/Sergeant Mark I. OVERSTREET, Gunner, KIA
Staff/Sergeant Walter E. HERMENAU, Gunner, KIA
Tech/Sergeant Robert T. WEDEMEYER, Gunner, KIA
Private First Class Walter J. KWOKA, Navigator, KIA

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Source

• Text: Rudi Triki
• Photos: Rudi Triki