Pilot  1st Lt Gilbert E Erb, O-398683
Co-Pilot  1st Lt Charles F Watson, O-427062 (MIA)
Navigator  1st Lt John F Twilley, O-431674
Bombardier  Sgt Billy J May, 13000074 (MIA)
Engineer  T/Sgt Francis A Hewitt, 6814418 (MIA)
Asst. Engineer  Pfc Sherland O. Pixley, 16001555
Radio  T/Sgt Richard H Howell, 6255824 (MIA)
Asst. Radio   Cpl Edward J Schneider, 15043539 (MIA / remains rec'd)
Gunner  Sgt Richard G Tennant 15012411
Ditched  September 12, 1942

Aircraft History
Assigned to the 19th BG.

Mission History
Took off on a mission to bomb Buna Airfield. After dropping its bombs from 1,600' west of the target area, Hit by direct hit from anti-aircraft fire, the bomb bay and radio room seem to burst into flames, and four men were seen to bail out within 5 miles of the airdrome.

The airplane, still under control descent, parallel to the coast, crashed into the sea, 50 yards offshore, 10 to 20 miles south of the Buna area. Two men were later seen in the water, and emergency rations and weapons were dropped to them by B-17E 41-9015. The tail section separated from the airplane. One minute of the ditching, a large explosion occurred, sending a water spout 100 to 200 feet into the air.

Captain Crawford piloting B-17E "Miss Carriage" 41-2645, wrote:
“The huge machine was hit on the nose by a shell, right before my eyes. I saw the flames spurt out, the Fortress reel like a drunken man and then plunge down on a crazy path towards the water.

Fates of the Crew
Two of the crew who had parachuted out were captured by the Japanese, the other two fled into the jungle. Of the five that ditched with the bomber, three drown, but Lt. Erb and bombardier (who was wounded) made it safely to shore and fled into the jungle toward the east. They met Australians and were rescued. For his role leading his wounded crewmember to safety, Erb earned the DFC.

The remains of Cpl Edward J Schneider were later located and recovered.

References
Capt. William Crawford, Jr., Gore and Glory pages 74-77
American Heroes of the War in the Air - Erb Citation page 299
Fortress Against the Sun pages 245-246
Thanks to Aerothentic.com and Edward Rogers for additional info.

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