B-17 at Pearl Harbor

Discussion about wrecks and losses as well as historic sites in the Pacific.

Moderator: Moderator

Post Reply
P-40 Petey
Corporal
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:32 pm
Location: Laredo, Texas

B-17 at Pearl Harbor

Post by P-40 Petey »

What was the correct AAF serial number of the B-17C blown in half at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941?

Who was the crew of this airplane? The pilot and the dead crewmember are always identified, but the rest of the crew never is. Who were they?

Any help appreciated.

P-40 Pete

David McNeill
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:35 am
Location: London, UK

Post by David McNeill »

Try here matey

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/even ... ph-air.htm

Wrecked Army Air Corps B-17C (serial # 40-2074) bomber near Hangar # 5 at Hickam Air Field, following the end of the Japanese raid. This plane, piloted by Captain Raymond T. Swenson, was one of those that arrived during the raid after flying in from California. It was hit by a strafing attack after landing and burned in half.

P-40 Petey
Corporal
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:32 pm
Location: Laredo, Texas

Post by P-40 Petey »

Thanks friend.

Pete

capt.billy
Private
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:15 am
Location: washington state usa
Contact:

B-17 crewmember

Post by capt.billy »

Lee Embree was aboard that B-17 as a photographer. He took the first known photos of the attack, including Japaneese planes in flight and that photo of the burnt B-17. He said it was hits in the flare locker that caused the fire. He recently donated his photos, camera and negatives to the Seattle Museum Of Flight, along with a copy of 'Life' magazine that printed the pics. Peninsula Daily News of Port Angeles WA printed a good article. You may be able to access on line. I will try to find same also, maybe can add more later.

capt.billy
Private
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:15 am
Location: washington state usa
Contact:

Post by capt.billy »

whoops. Some of my "facts" are wrong according to the latest article about Lee Embree, who just died at 92.
The Peninsula Daily News: "Before the (38th Reconnaissance Squadron) took off, Embree switched places with a flight surgeon on another B-17 so Embree culd connect his camera to that plane's 24-volt electrical system. A bulllet hit incendiary flares in the plane that would have been Embree's, causing an explosion that killed the other man".

This paper published several stories about Embree, one listing his fellow crewmembers.

To locate an article: 360 417 3527

Post Reply