Date:	Sunday 27 August 1944
Time:	20:06
Type:	Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
Owner/operator:	United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
Registration:	42-102796
MSN:	8298
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Location:	About 20 +/- Miles N., above Bay St-Louis, Ms., USA -   United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	GPT
Destination airport:	GPT

Narrative:
ACCIDENT: The Boeing B-17G (S/N: 42-102796), crashed shortly after eight (8) PM, in the evening. About, 8:06 PM CST / (20:06), per the US AAF Form # 14 (Report of Aircraft Accident, # 45-8-27-12, in 1944, during WWII). The Flying Fortress, was flying in the Local Area, Assigned 3500 Feet in Altitude, from Gulfport AAF, [GPT], to Bogalusa Airport, [BXA], Louisiana, and to return at his Home Base, at Gulfport AAF, Harrison County, Mississippi. After taking-off fifteen (15) minutes early, at 07:45 PM CST, the B-17G Heavy Bomber crashed in route near the cities of "NECAISE" and/or " SELLERS"; North West (NW) of Lyman and Gulfport AAF; along Mississippi State Route # 53, in Hancock Co., Ms. The B-17G crashed during their Last Training Mission (Night Celestial Navigation). It had Six (6) Hours allocated in order to complete the Mission. They encountered some very bad weather (Extremely Severe Thunderstorms, Dark Black Clouds, Heavy Rain, and Lightning too.); Per the Witnesses (Civilians), on the ground, at the time of the Accident (Crash). The B-17G Call Sign was: 796 (The last three Numbers, of their tail Numbers). Apparently, The B-17G (Crew # 2-6-70), did not receive the last two (2) radio Communications; due to intermittent Radio Problems, in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. The Weather Front was heading straight South-East (SE), and the Heavy Bomber was heading North-West (NW), Directly in the opposite direction (Head-on-Collision).

MISSED MESSAGE: Requiring them to cut their time in Half (Three Hours only), and get back soon.
MISSED LAST MESSAGE: Requiring the B-17G, to Cancel and Terminate their Mission, and to return immediately.
TOTAL FLIGHT TIME: 21 Minutes (From 07:45 to 08:06 PM, CST).

ASSIGNMENT: At the time of the accident (Crash), the entire B-17G Crew were assigned to the Replacement Training Unit Squadron (RTU SQ); Heavy Bomber (HB) / B-17G Flying Fortress; 328 Base Unit (328 BU); Third Bomber Command (III BC); Third Air Force (3 AF); United States Army Air Force (US AAF).

CREW: (B-17G Crew # 2-6-70); 2Lt. Harold Shepherd Cline (Pilot); 2Lt. Francis Charles Feasel (Co-Pilot); 2Lt. Paul Bishop Lyles (Navigator); 2Lt. David Grolnic (Bombadier); Cpl. Robert Royce Cole (Flight Engineer-Turret Gunner); Cpl. James McLean Hummel (Waist Gunner); Cpl. Clarles William Marvin (Radio Operator); Cpl. Norman Napoleon Rocheleau (Armorer-Gunner / Radio); Cpl. Raymond Theodore Samodel (Gunner); Cpl. Harold Ross Van Marter (Tail Gunner).

THE BOSS: (Commander / CC): Col. George Lawrence Holcomb (10 Sep 1911 - 6 May 2002, Age 90);
US AAF & USAF. WWII & KOREA. PS: He was not in the Airplane Crash, in 1944.

MEMORIALS: For further information about the Crew, please visit each crew MEMORIALS on "FindaGrave . COM" / / / Ref.: Memorial ID # 615 307 34 (Cline); # 135 014 360 (Feasel); # 135 016 511 (Lyles); # 135 015 958 (Grolnic); # 757 334 72 (Cole); # 195 761 96 (Hummel); # 942 018 78 (Marvin); # 110 273 248 (Rocheleau); # 135 017 183 (Samodel); # 135 020 481 (Van Marter). Also, please visit USAAF Personnel Records (info), on "USAAFDATA . COM". Also: The Boss (CC) # 76 35 791 (Holcomb).

HISTORY TIMELINE: From Sunday, 7 December, 1941, World War Two (WWII); U.S. Government Contract # AC-20292. Wednesday, 5 April,1944: the B-17G (Boeing C/N: 8298), Rolled-Off Boeing's Assembly Line, at Tucwila Plant / Building # 2, Block # 60, Seattle, King County, Washington, USA. Thursday, 6 April, 1944: USAAF B-17G (S/N: 42-102796), Officially Accepted by the United States Government, and Available (Project / Lend Lease Requisition # DOM 93; Allocation Block Priority # USA PRI 10-4). Saturday, 8 April, 1944: Delivered to ATC OPS; Pilots Assigned and Departed Boeing Field International (BFI); Arrived at Cheyenne Airport (CYS), Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA. Wednesday, 12 April, 1944: The B-17G was moved-off the Flight Line Apron (Parking), and into the United Air Lines (UAL) - Cheyenne Modification Center (Mod Center). Wednesday, 19 April, 1944: All Modifications, Alterations, and any Minor Repairs Completed. The Flying Fortress was then forwarded and Parked on the Airfield. Sunday, 23 April, 1944: Delivered to ATC OPS, and available. Monday, 24 April, 1944: Pilots Assigned and Departed Cheyenne Airport (CYS). Tuesday, 25 April, 1944: Arrived at Gulfport Airport (GPT), Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi, USA. Transferred and Assigned to RTU SQ., 328 BU, III BC, 3 AF, US AAF. Spring - Summer, 1944: Flying and Training B-17G Aircrews. Sunday, 27 August, 1944: Crashed at about 8:06 PM CST (20:06). Tuesday, 29 August, 1944: Written-Off (Damaged beyond Repair); B-17G Salvaged.

CREW: Thereafter, the Crew (Bodies), was Recovered, Processed, Identified, and later forwarded to their respective Home State (Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Texas.).

BOARD: The Accident Board (Crash Investigation), was immediately conveyed by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). Reference: USAAF Report # 45-8-27-12, in 1944.

TRAJECTORY: The B-17G Flight Path, since Roll-Off: Seattle, Washington; to Cheyenne, Wyoming; to Gulfport, Mississippi. Then Local Flying, for training purpose, in the Gulf Coast Area.

B-17G Crew Photo Top Row (Left to Right)
2Lt. Harold Shepherd Cline (P / Pilot); Far Left
2Lt. Francis Charles Feasel (CP / Co-Pilot); 2nd from Left
2Lt. Paul Bishop Lyles (N / Navigator); Center
2Lt. David Grolnic (B / Bombadier); 2nd from Right
Cpl. Robert Royce Cole (E / Flight Engineer); Far Right

B-17G Crew Photo Bottom Row (Left to Right)
Cpl. Charles William Marvin (2G / Gunner); Far Left.
Cpl. Norman Napoleon Rocheleau (ROG / Armorer - Gunner / Radio); 2nd from Left.
Cpl. James McLean Hummel (1G / Waist Gunner); Center
Cpl. Raymond Theodore Samodel (AEG / Gunner); 2nd from Right.
Cpl. Harold Ross Van Marter (3G / Tail Gunner); Far Right.

REMARKS: "Twenty - One (21) Minutes, over S I P P I (Mississippi)".

LOCATION: The actual Crash Site location, today is hard to pin point. It occurred deep in the Mississippi Swamp. A Semi-Wooded and Marshy Country Side. Approximately, 42 +/- Miles North-West (N-W), from the City of Lyman and/or Gulfport Army Air Field (AAF). Also Known As (AKA): About, 20 +/- Miles North (N), above Bay St-Louis, Ms., USA.

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp
http://www.findagrave.com/memorial/000000000 (EX: Number, for each crew member Memorial, listed above).
http://www.usaafdata.com Put in Details: (B-17G # 42-102796).

1-) The War Department (Washington, District of Columbia); United States Army Air Force (USAAF / US AAF); Gulfport Army Air Field (Gulfport AAF). Reference: US AAF Form # 14, Report of Aircraft Accident # 45-8-27-12, in 1944.

2-) Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research (AAIR); 7644 S. 15th Ave., Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA 85041; PH: (480) 218-8198; Estimated cost/fee $35.00, for a Report, as of January - March, 2020.

3-) NEWSPAPERS: Multiple Articles, See Below: (Para # 4 thru # 20).

4-) The Biloxi - Gulfport Daily Herald, Harrison County, Mississippi Coast, Tuesday Afternoon, 29 August, 1944, Volume: XLVII, Number: 12, Page 1 (Front), & Page 7. Now: The Sun Herald; PH: (800) 346-2442. Ref.: ("Ten Killed in Bomber Crash West of Lyman,...") /// ("B-17G 42-102796 Flying Fortress").

5-) The Abilene Reporter News (17 Jun 1881 - Present); Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, USA 79606; Owner: Gannett; PH: (844) 900-7098: Sunday, 10 September, 1944; Vol.: LXIV; Num.: 73; Page # 6; Ref.: ( "Killed in Crash,...") /// ("Cpl. Robert Royce Cole").

6-) The Citizen Advertiser; 25 Dill St., Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, USA 13021; Owner: Lee Enterprises; PH: (563) 383-2100; Saturday, 9 September, 1944; Vol.: XIV, Num.: 4081; Page # 7; Ref.: In the Moravia Section / Colum: ("Van Marter,...") /// ("Cpl. Harold Ross Van Marter"). PS: Corporate Offices: at 4600 E. 53rd Street, Suite # 600, in Davenport, Iowa, USA 52807.

7-) The Evening Sentinel (1898 - 1992); Ansonia, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA 06401; Ref.: Multiple Articles: Tue/29 & Wed/30 August, Fri/1 & Tue/5 September, and Wed/11 October, 1944. ("Samodel,...") /// ("Cpl. Raymond Theodore Samodel").

8-) The San Antonio Express News, Metro ED., Sec.: Metro / South Texas; Avenue "E" and Third Street (P. O. Box # 2171), San Antonio, Behar County, Texas, USA 78205. Owner: Hearst Corporation, PH: (210) 250-2000 / 250-3000; Sunday, 12 May, 2002, Vol.:... ; Num.:..., Page # 6B. Ref.: ("George Holcomb Obituary, Deceased: 6 May, 2002") /// (10 Sep 1911 - 6 May 2002, age 90); THE BOSS (Commander / CC). He was assigned at Gulfport Army Air Field ( Gulfport AAF), at the same time of the B-17G Crash, in 1944. But, he was not in the Crash (Ref.: See Accident Report). Memorial ID # 76 35 791. ASN: 00 00 00 00.

9-) The News and Observer; 421 Fayetteville St., Ste. #104, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA 27601. Owner: The McClatchy Co., PH: (800) 522-4205 / (919) 829-4500; Wednesday, 30 August, 1944; Vol.: . . .; Num.: . . .; Page # . . .; Ref.: ("Lt. Bishop Lyles, Killed in Crash,...") /// ("2Lt. Paul Bishop Lyles").

10-) The North Georgia Tribune; Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, USA 30114. Friday, 1 Sept., 1944; Volume XI, Number 35, Page 1 (Front); Ref.: ("Lt. Harold Cline Loses Life in Plane Crash,...") /// ("2Lt. Harold Shepherd Cline").

11-) The Baton Rouge Advocate; 10715 Rieger Road, Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge County, Louisiana, USA 70809; PH: (225) 383-0622; Wednesday, 30 August, 1944; Vol. XX; Num.: 61; Page 9; Ref.: ("Ten are Victims of Fortress Crash,...") /// ("B-17G 42-102796").

12-) The Boston American (21Mar1904-30Sep1961); Boston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA; 021...; Wenesday; 19 July, 1944; Vol.: XLI; Num.: 101; Page 18; Ref.: ("In the Armed Forces,...") /// ("Grolnic,...") // ("2Lt. David Grolnic").

13-) The Boston Daily Globe; 1 Exchange Place, Boston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA 02109; PH: (617) 929-2000; Wednesday, 30 August, 1944, Vol.: CXLVI; Num.: 61; Page 10; Ref.: (" Roxbury Officer Killed in Miss. Flight Crash") /// ("Grolnic,...").

14-) The Roxbury Citizen, Roxbury (Boston), Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA 02119; Thursday, 31 August, 1944, Vol.: IX; Num.: 33; Page 2; Ref.: ("Roxbury Boy Killed in Fortress Crash") /// ("Grolnic,...").

15-) The Warren Tribune - Chronicle (14 Apr 1883 - Present); 240 Franklin St., S.E.; Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, USA 44483. Owner: Ogden Newspapers Inc.; PH: (330) 841-1600; Friday, 1 Sept., 1944, Vol.: . . .; Num.: . . .; Page 9, Col 3. Ref.: ("Cpl. Charles Marvin,...") /// ("Cpl. Charles William Marvin").

16-) The McLean County Independent; 91 N. Main St., P. O. Box # 309; Garrison, McLean County, North Dakota, USA 58540; Owner: Nordak North Publishers; PH: (701) 463-2201 // (800) 658-3485; Thursday, 7 Sep, 1944; Vol.: . . .; Num.: . . .; Page # . . .; Ref.: ("Cpl. James McLean Hummel (9 Dec1925 - 27 Aug1944)").

17-) The Bismark Tribune (Since: 1873); P. O. Box # 5516; Bismark, Burleigh County, North Dakota, USA 58506 Owner: Lee Enterprises. . . . . . . . , . . . . .. . . , 1944, Vol.: . . .; Num.: . . .; Page # . . .; Ref.: (" Cpl. James McLean Hummel,..."). PS: See also Para # 6 (Owner).

18-) The Advertiser - Tribune (1933 - Present); 320 Nelson St., P. O. Box #778; Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, USA 44883-0778, PH: (419) 448-3200. . . . . . , . . . . . , 1944; Vol.: . . .; Num.: . . .Page: # . . .; Ref.: (" 2Lt. Francis Charles Feasel,...").

19-) The Springfield Republican (8 Sep 1824 - Present); 1860 Main St., P. O. Box # . . . . ; Springfield, Hampden County, Mass., USA 01101. Owner: Advance Publications; PH: (413) 788-1108; Tuesday, 5 Sept., 1944, Vol.: . . .; Num.: . . .; Page #7; Ref.: (" Cpl. Norman Napoleon Rocheleau,...").

20-) The Holyoke (Mass.) Transcript - Telegram (T-T) // (1 Sep 1849 - 21 Jan 1993); Holyoke, Hampden County, Mass., USA. Originally: The Hampden Freeman. Tuesday, 29 Aug., 1944, Vol.: . . .; Num.: . . .; Page 1 (Front); Ref.; ("Cpl. Norman N. Rocheleau dies of injuries in Plane Accident.").

21-) CEMETERIES: See Local Cemeteries, as Applicable: Ref.: I-) St-Peter & St-Paul Ukranian Cemetery (Derby, Connecticut). II-) Garrison Cemetery (Garrison, North Dakota). III-) Groton Rural Cemetery (Groton, New York). IV-) Independent (Workmen's Circle) Jewish Cemetery (Melrose, Massachusetts). V-) Kinsman New Cemetery (Kinsman, Ohio). VI-) Maplewood Cemetery (Wilson, North Carolina). VII-) Mount Hope Cemetery (Anson, Texas). VIII-) Notre Dame Catholic Cemetery (South Hadley, Massachusetts). IX-) Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery (Canton, Georgia). X-) St-Joseph Catholic Cemetery (Tiffin, Ohio). XI-) Fort Sam-Houston National Cemetery (San Antonio, Texas).

22-) RELATIVES: Cousins; Descendants; Friends; Immediate Family; & Etc.

23-) INTERNET (WEB): Ancestry; Bing; Facebook; Find A Grave; Fold3; Google; & Etc.

24-) U. S. DSS Form #1: Registration Card and Registrar's Report; U. S. Government Printing Office (GPO) c16 / 16c - 21630 - 1 / -2 / -3 / -4, and 16 - 17105. Also Known as (AKA): WWII Draft Card. (Each Individuals / Person).

25-) B-17G BOMBER RECORD: U. S. AAF, Individual Aircraft Record Card (White), for B-17G (S/N: 42-102796); Thursday, 6 April, 1944 to Tuesday, 29 August, 1944, PS: (About 145 +/- Days, since Manufacture Roll-Off.).

26-) GULFPORT AIRFIELD RECORD: U. S. AAF, Field Statistics Card (Yellow); for Gulfport Army Air Field (Gulfport AAF) / (GPT); Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi, USA. AUTHORIZED AG; Wednesday, 23 February, 1944 to INACCTIVATED, Friday, 6 December, 1946. Therefore, later, the field was given to the City - County, State of Mississippi.

27-) GOVERNMENT CONTRACT: U. S. Congress / / / The War Department (Later DOD); U. S. Government Contract # AC - 20292 ( Dated: . . . . . 194.. ).

28-) CONGRESS LEND-LEASE ACT (1941): Passed on March 11, 1941, by the US Congress. (NOTE: This act set up a system that would allow the United States of America to lend or lease war supplies to any Nations (Ex; UK / England), deemed "Vital to the defense of the United States of America (USA), during WWII).

29-) B-17G CREW PHOTO: From the U. S. Army Air Force (US AAF); Gulfport Army Air Field (Gulfport AAF); in 1944, (Spring - Summer), on the Flight line Apron. PHOTO COPY: From an WWII Original Print, which was donated (Gift), to Mr. George J. Rocheleau ( G. J. R. / Frenchie), by: the Grolnic Family ("Steve"), Massachusetts; back in the year of 2019 (the 75th Anniversary of the B-17G Crash). PS: Steve is also a relative (Son), of a member of the crew ("David").

30-) PILGRIMAGE: My (G.J.R. / Frenchie) Site Visit & Pilgrimage, to the city of Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi, USA, and the Surrounding Area, on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019. PS; On the 75th Anniversary of the B-17G Accident (Crash).

31-) MEETING / VISIT: My (G. J. R. / Frenchie) Meeting and Visit, with Mr. Stephen (Steve) Grolnic, at the Pilot House Restaurant and Lounge, 14 Gallo Road, Sandwich (Cape Cod Area), Massachusetts, USA 02563, on Thursday, 20 July, 2023, between 3 & 5 PM. We discussed his dad: 2Lt. David Grolnic - Bombadier, on B-17G (42-102796); other family members; & Etc.

32-) VISIT: The National World War Two (WWII) Museum, 945 Magazine Street, in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), 70130. PH: (504) 528-1944; in August, 2019. PS: Open about 360 Days a Year.

33-) VISIT: The United Airlines - Cheyenne Modification Center (U.A.L. - C. Mod-Ctr.), Old location, during WWII. Now, the Cheyenne Airport; FAA / IATA: CYS (Elevation: 6,160 ' ). 4020 Airport PKWY. W., Cheyenne, Cherokee Co., Wyoming, USA 82001. PH: (307) 634-7071. NOTE: Jerry Olsen Field

34-) VISIT: Boeing Mfd. Co., FAA LID / IATA: (BFI / KBFI). Now, Boeing Field - King County International airport. 7277 Perimeter Road S., Seattle, King Co., USA 98103. PH: (206) 296-7380 PS: ( Note: Elevation: 21 ' ). Ref.: Old Plant / Bldg. # 2, Section / Block # 60 ).

35-) CONTRIBUTOR (FRENCHIE): George J. Rocheleau, SSgt., USAF (Retired); 1884 N. Longview St., Beavercreek, Greene Co., Ohio, USA 45432-2070. A relative (Cousin), to one of the Aircrew Member ("Norman"), of the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress / Heavy Bomber (S/N: 42-102796). GEORGE (FRENCHIE): was and/or is still a Major Contributor to most (= 95 +/- %) of the Informations & Data on ASN (Wikibase Occurence #98066 only). STATED: I (G.J.R.) / (Frenchie), Reserve the Right, to use my Original Stuff ( Info, Data, Notes, Photo, Etc.), in any way, Elsewhere, Without Limitation, about this Boeing B-17G (S/N: 42-102796) only. CR 1976 to Present, G.J.R. (Frenchie), Beavercreek, Ohio, USA.
REMARKS: I (G.J.R.), Authorize ASN, to use my Donated Stuff. Thanks. THE END

Images:

Photo of the Crew, Prior to the Accident; taken between: 19 APR 1944 and 27 Aug 1944; at the Gulfport Army Air Field. Photo: From the U. S. AAF, copy from an 1944 Original Print (Donated by the Grolnic Family, Mass. ).

B-17G Crash Photo #11 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G (USAAF / WWII) From: Accident Report (Paid)

USAAF Form #14 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #1 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #2 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #6 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #5 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #10 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #9 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #8 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #7 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #4 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

B-17G Crash Photo #3 (B-17G 42-102796) From: Accident Report (Paid)

Revision history:

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
10-Jan-2020 09:52	Frenchie	Updated [Cn, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Location, Source, Narrative, Photo]
04-Feb-2020 19:55	Frenchie	Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport]
25-Jun-2020 15:14	Frenchie	Updated [Time, Location, Phase, Source, Narrative]
13-Aug-2020 14:58	Frenchie	Updated [Location, Narrative]
15-Aug-2020 16:07	Anon.	Updated [Source, Narrative]
17-Aug-2020 18:42	Frenchie	Updated [Time, Source, Narrative]
19-Aug-2020 07:20	Frenchie	Updated [Time, Source, Narrative]
20-Aug-2020 06:00	Frenchie	Updated [Source]
22-Aug-2020 16:44	Frenchie	Updated [Source, Narrative]
09-Sep-2020 16:25	Frenchie	Updated [Narrative]
12-Aug-2022 06:08	Frenchie	Updated [Time, Narrative]
01-Sep-2022 17:15	Frenchie	Updated [Narrative]
16-Sep-2022 16:44	Frenchie	Updated [Narrative]
04-Nov-2022 07:30	Frenchie	Updated [Source]
09-Nov-2022 20:13	Frenchie	Updated [Source, Narrative]
30-Apr-2023 17:02	TB	Updated [[Source, Narrative]]
14-May-2023 05:39	Frenchie	Updated [[[Source, Narrative]]]
28-May-2023 05:46	Frenchie	Updated [[[[Source, Narrative]]]]
21-Jun-2023 05:34	Frenchie	Updated [[[[[Source, Narrative]]]]]
21-Jul-2023 18:46	Frenchie	Updated [[[[[[Source, Narrative]]]]]]
31-Jul-2023 06:29	Frenchie	Updated [[[[[[[Source, Narrative]]]]]]]
21-Aug-2023 06:21	Frenfchie	Updated [[[[[[[[Source, Narrative]]]]]]]]

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