Roll of Honour

The Dorsal Queen and Raunchy Wolf Crews

Sadly, on 26th September 1943 in Essex, UK, a tragic mid air accident occured between two B-17 Flying Fortresses; ‘The Dorsal Queen’ 42-30264, and another named ‘Raunchy Wolf, El Lobo’ 42-3290, both from the same squadron. This Roll of Honour commemorates the devastating loss of precious, young lives…

https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-30264-dorsal-queen/

Dorsal Queen Flying Fortress B-17f-95-BO 42-30264 Crew

  • Sgt Raymond H. Shepherd, Right Waist Gunner

  • Staff/Sgt Douglas Binford, Ball Turret Gunner

  • Staff /Sgt Edward Osborn, Left Waist Gunner

    Crew members lost:

  • 1st Lt Paul M. Yannello, Pilot

  • 2nd Lt Frederick E. Wilson jr, Co-Pilot

  • 2nd Lt Guilford N. Black, Navigator

  • 2nd Lt Charles A. Wardle, Bombardier

  • Tech/Sgt Walter F. McMillan jr, Top Turret Gunner

  • Tech/Sgt Stanley J. Gula, Radio Operator

  • Staff/Sgt Lawrence C. Kern, Right Waist Gunner

  • Staff/Sgt Edgar L. Seitz, Left Waist Gunner

  • Staff /Sgt Marion E. McGinnis, Ball Turret Gunner

  • Staff/Sgt John J. Adams, Tail Gunner (survived)

  • 1st Lt Sidney S. White, Observer– Bombardier

An eyewitness Statement by Charles Hill, former armourer with 64 Squadron stationed at RAF Hornchurch stated:

That particular day, I was on a 24 hour pass from RAF Hornchurch, and I can remember walking down through the very rural surroundings of Wingletye Lane with my girlfriend of the time, and although we only had eyes for each other our attention was suddenly taken by a very loud thud far off in the distance. There were some other people walking down the lane and they must have heard it too, but seemed to take no notice. After the initial noise, we did not see any visible signs from our point of view in the lane, so we carried on to our original destination and I thought no more of it.

The next day, when I returned to my duties at RAF Hornchurch, some of my work oppos said ‘shame about the accident yesterday, weren’t it?’ ‘What accident?’ I asked. ‘Two Yank B-17’s came down at Horndon and we were sent out to recover any armaments, though not much was left as both aircraft went up with a bang! Some of the Brownings are over in the armoury, rather twisted, burnt and full of mud. The only survivor was fetched back to Hornchurch while the rest of the crew’s remains were brought back to Suttons Institute’s Morgue’. Obviously, after hearing this statement from my fellow armourers, I was able to confirm that this is what we had heard the day before while walking down the lane…

‘Raunchy Wolf’ B-17F-45-DL 42-3290 Crew lost:

  • 1st Lt John T. Keeley jr, Pilot

  • 1st Lt Harry R. Coombes, Co-Pilot

  • 1st Lt Arthur R. Moore, Navigator

  • 1st Lt Theodore R. Rouse, Bombardier

  • Tech/Sgt Ledger Pontius jr, Top Turret Gunner

  • Tech/Sgt Samuel B. Rochester, Radio Operator

  • Staff /Sgt Robert L. Banner, Tail Gunner

  • Sgt Raymond H. Shepherd, Right Waist Gunner

  • Staff/Sgt Douglas Binford, Ball Turret Gunner

  • Staff /Sgt Edward Osborn, Left Waist Gunner  

Hornchurch Aerodrome Historical Trust commemorate the Anniversary of this heart-breaking accident which occurred between two B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group based at Great Ashfield, and remember not only all the brave men that lost their lives, but also the only survivor from that day, and the tragic connection that brought RAF Hornchurch into this story.