Rapp's Crew

 

On a mission to Wiesbaden on November 10, 1944, the aircraft Rapp's crew was flying was rammed by another. The other bomber flew into Rapp's plane ripping off the tail, and killing the tail gunner (S/SGT P. A. Scott). Apparently, the aircraft were flying a very tight formation and turbulence at altitude caused the collision. The crew was flying #007 (Name: "Sleepy Time Gal," Call sign: "Pebble Easy").

On the 16th, LT Rapp and crew flying #985, are reported to have made a forced landing in the 9th US Army area near Tielt-Winge, Belgium. The crew bailed out from the aircraft, which crashed into the Naten's Farm destroying the home and outbuildings. Melania Wittemans died in the resulting fires, and her pregnant daughter Maria Natens died two days later from her burns.
CREW INFO
Name Rank Position First Mission Last Mission Status
Henry B. Rapp 2nd LT Pilot      
William O'Leary 2nd LT Copilot      
Bennie E. Lynch   Navigator      
Delmar W. Claussen 2nd LT Bombardier      
Frank H. Eisenberg, Jr. S/SGT FE/Top      
Robert G. Farver S/SGT RO/Waist      
Guinn, Billy M.   Waist      
Miller, Bernard E. S/SGT Ball      
Scott, Philip A.   Tail     KIA
David T. King S/SGT Gunner      
Edward J. Schoonover S/SGT Gunner      
Hugh J. Quigley SGT Gunner      
Milhorn, John   Gunner      
MISSION INFO
MISSION DATE NAME ID S/N TYPE
081 09/25/44 Old Man's Folly PJ 43-37891 B17G
082 09/26/44 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
086 10/03/44 Lil' Butch/Rodney The Rocks NP 43-38142 B17G
087 10/05/44   DM 43-37973 B17G
088 10/06/44   NF 43-37952 B17G
091 10/14/44 Sleepy Time Gal PE 42-98007 B17G
092 10/15/44 Sleepy Time Gal PE 42-98007 B17G
093 10/17/44   TC 43-37910 B17G
101 11/04/44 Sleepy Time Gal PE 42-98007 B17G
102 11/05/44 Sleepy Time Gal PE 42-98007 B17G
103 11/06/44 Sleepy Time Gal PE 42-98007 B17G
104 11/09/44 Sleepy Time Gal PE 42-98007 B17G
105 11/10/44 Sleepy Time Gal PE 42-98007 B17G
106 11/16/44   DL 43-37985 B17G
112 12/06/44 The Old Yard Dog TF 42-98006 B17G
113 12/10/44 Homesick Angel DC 44-6312 B17G
114 12/11/44 Chief Oshkosh NR 44-8510 B17G
115 12/12/44 Vermont Maid/Cupcake ND 43-38246 B17G
116 12/16/44 Ruthie Bee DD 44-6314 B17G
122 12/30/44   PR 42-97968 B17G
126 01/03/45   PR 42-97968 B17G
127 01/05/45   PR 42-97968 B17G
128 01/07/45   PB 42-97968 B17G
130 01/10/45   PM 44-8595 B17G
134 01/18/45   PM 44-8595 B17G
136 01/21/45 Easy Movement NL 43-38041 B17G
139 02/01/45   PM 44-8595 B17G
140 02/03/45   PM 44-8595 B17G
141 02/06/45   PM 44-8595 B17G
143 02/14/45   PM 44-8595 B17G
144 02/15/45   PM 44-8595 B17G

Completed 31 MIssions
 
Created 10/03/99 Modified 12/23/16

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