| Serial Number: | 42-3235 |
| Name: | LAKANUKI |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, B-17F-40-DL, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 545th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 545th‑JD*T |
| Start Date: | 15 April 1943. Original AC: Start Date is approximate.. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 2 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 4 July 1943. Failed to return from combat operations. |
| Comments: | This aircraft was flown from Sioux City, Iowa, to Kearney, Nebraska, and then to the ETO by the Lawrence W. Myer Crew, with Raymond P. Ketelsen as pilot or co-pilot. It was apparently assigned to the 100th BG at Dow AAF in Bangor, Maine, on 23 May 1943, but shortly after arriving in theater was transferred back to the 384th. |
| Related Documents: | Missing Air Crew Report # 3035⇓ (2.852 MB) |
| Photo Album: | Aircraft 42-3235 Photo Album⇗ |
| History: | 42-3235 Delivered to Cheyenne, Wyoming [for modification] on 7 April 1943. Assigned to the 100th Bombardment Group at Dow Field, [Bangor Army Air Field] on 23 May 1943. Transferred to the 545th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code JD-T, 384th Bombardment Group, Grafton Underwood, Station 106, UK on 23 June 1943. Missing In Action (MIA) on a mission to Le Mans, France on 4 July 1943 with Pilot Lawrence Wayne Myer, Copilot Norman Alton Gauntt, Navigator James Claybourne Crouch, Bombardier Thomas Henry Brzoznowski, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner James Lynn LaRue, Radio Operator Jack Davidson, Ball Turret Gunner James Thomas Carter, Waist Gunner Floyd Hubble Jr., Waist Gunner Kenneth Eldon Christensen, 9 Killed In Action (KIA); Tail Gunner David L. Butcher evaded capture (EVD). The aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft and crashed at Pipriac, Southwest of Laval, France. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 3035/4495. Aircraft Name: LAKANUKI. |
| Bits & Pieces: |
|
| Research Notes: | 2021-02-23 rfp: No evidence that this aircraft was ever in possession of the 100th BG has been found. |
| (more...) | |
| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4⇗ | 28 June 1943 | Target: Fighter Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑5849. Turned back with top turret and ball turret problems. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 5⇗ | 29 June 1943 | Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 6⇗ | 4 July 1943 | Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Le Mans, France | Failed To Return | Shot down before the target was reached; crashed near Poillé-sur-Vègre about 40km WSW of Le Mans, France. MACR 3035/4495 Sortie Report ⇗ |