Description: This listing is for a rare and original WWII press photo. Missing in Action Naples Lost by flak/aa-fire August 1, 1943. flak hit knocked off wing, crashed target area. Missing Air Crew Report 355 B-17 42-2985 “Nut Cracker”97th Bomb Group414th Bomb Squadron Crew:P 1LT Robert N. Rast, Jr. POWCP 2LT Alexander Alvarado POWNAV 1LT Seymour J. Ponemone POWBOMB 2LT Frank M. Bigelow POWENG/TT T/SGT William J. Shea POWRO S/SGT William D. Dibble KIABT SGT George B. Smith KIAWG SGT Robert Nichols KIAWG S/SGT John L. Anderson KIATG SGT James R. Mathews KIA Witness reports from MACR 355:After dropping bombs over target, right wing was ripped off, throwing ship into violent spin. Crew was ordered to abandon ship, but it is believed that the five gunners in the rear were unable to leave the ship. I last saw the wreckage of the airplane, burning violently on the ground from a distance of about 100 yards.Lt. Alexander Alvarado Co-pilot #42-2985 After the ship was hit, it did a snap roll and then went into a tight spin. The members of the crew who bailed out had some difficulty reaching the forward escape hatch due to centrifical force. I therefore believe the other crew members were pinned in the ship because of the same forces. I did not see any further damage to the ship except for the hit on the right wing in the quick glance I obtained of the plane immediately after bailing out, nor does any further damage show on the picture of the plane taken by another plane.1Lt. Seymour J. Ponemone Navigator #42-2985 We had just dropped our bombs, and were continuing the last of the run, when the ship to the left of the lead element was hit by flak. That was I believe the lead element left wing ship. The ship fell out of the formation giving out and going down in a large spiral. It looked like the pilot had her in control, because a bit later on further down she flattened out in her spirals. She was not on fire as far as I could see. In the meantime I spotted three enemy fighters climbing up to us, but off at a great distance, so I watched this a second or two then looked for the falling aircraft. I saw two white puffs a little off the falling aircraft, and I do believe that these were chutes that opened. That was the last I saw of the ship in the air, but I did see smoke rising to where I judged the ship may have hit the ground. There was a misty case over the land, so when the plane got nearer to the ground it was hard to keep it in sight.S/Sgt. Floyd Banks Production-block: B-17F-10-DL: 42-2979 to 42-3003Delivered W Palm Beach 8/1/43; Assigned 414BS/97BG Biskra 28/1/43; Chateau-du-Rhumel 8/2/43; *Please see my other listings for additional Aviation and D Day photos from an extensive collection. Subject: B-17 flak damage Snipe date: 9.17.43 Photographer: Acme Condition: Excellent with original newsprint snipe attached. Size: 9 x 7 inches.
Price: 175 USD
Location: Brooklyn, New York
End Time: 2025-01-08T21:04:50.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Type: Photograph
Theme: Militaria
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
