96th Bomb Group Museum UK

20/05/2026

CREW OF THE WEEK
2nd Lt. Ralph Winslow’s Crew
B-17G 42-3322 “Full House”
Some crews never made it back to England…
yet their story still lives on decades later.
This week, we remember the crew of 2nd Lt. Ralph N. Winslow, assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron in March 1944, flying aboard B-17 “Full House.”
11 April 1944 – Mission to Rostock
On 11 April 1944, the crew departed RAF Snetterton Heath on a mission to Rostock, Germany.
During the flight, “Full House” was badly damaged by enemy fighters over the Baltic Sea.
With the aircraft crippled and no hope of reaching land, 2nd Lt. Winslow made the decision to ditch the B-17 in the sea, approximately ten miles off the coast near Dankerort-Koslin, southwest of Rügenwalde, Pomerania.
Into the Baltic
When the aircraft struck the water, the impact tore the bomber apart.
The B-17 sank within minutes.
Four members of the crew were unable to escape the aircraft and went down with her.
The remaining six men managed to reach the dinghies and, through the night, rowed toward shore.
Exhausted and cold, they reached land only to be captured the following morning around 5:00am, becoming Prisoners of War.
Remembered Today
The four men who lost their lives are commemorated on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Madingley.
A memorial to the crew has recently been dedicated in Dąbki, Poland, and the entire crew is also remembered at the Silver Dream Memorial at Snetterton Heath.
Crew of “Full House”
2nd Lt. Ralph N. Winslow – Pilot (POW)
2nd Lt. Vincent C. Gill – Co-Pilot (POW)
2nd Lt. John P. Hill – Navigator (POW)
2nd Lt. Ralph Munoz – Bombardier (KIA)
S/Sgt. Edward Segall – Engineer (POW)
S/Sgt. Carl G. Caputo – Radio Operator (KIA)
Sgt. John Massie Jr. – Left Waist Gunner (KIA)
S/Sgt. George O. Roche – Right Waist Gunner (POW)
Sgt. Joel Burklund – Tail Gunner (KIA)
Sgt. Harry Sanford – Ball Turret Gunner (POW)
Lost in the cold waters of the Baltic, separated by war and fate, this crew’s story remains one of courage, sacrifice, and survival.
Their memory endures — in England, in Poland, and in the history of the 96th Bomb Group.
We remember them with honour.

17/05/2026

🚨 Open TODAY (17TH MAY)🚨
The countdown has finished… the doors of the 96th Bomb Group Museum open for the 2nd time in 2026! ✈️
Join us for an unforgettable Open Day and step back into history: 📅 Sunday 17th May 2026
🎟️ FREE ENTRY
📍 Quidenham, NR16 2NZ
Explore fascinating exhibits, meet passionate volunteers, and experience the stories of those who served.
Bring your friends, bring your family — and be part of the first Open Day of the season!
We can’t wait to welcome you. See you there! 🇬🇧

15/05/2026

13/05/2026

CREW OF THE WEEK
2nd Lt. Myrle J. Stinnett’s Crew
B-17F 42-30360 “Lady Millicent”
338th Bomb Squadron
Some crews survived by luck.
Others survived through determination, skill, and the refusal to give up.
This week, we remember the crew of 2nd Lt. Myrle J. Stinnett, assigned to the 338th Bomb Squadron in March 1944.
Mission 104 – 8 April 1944
On 8 April 1944, during the 96th Bomb Group’s 104th mission, the assigned target was Achmer Rhein, Germany.
Flying aboard B-17F “Lady Millicent,” 2nd Lt. Stinnett and his crew encountered intense anti-aircraft fire on the approach to the target.
Between the Initial Point (IP) and the target, the aircraft was struck by flak.
The bomber turned out of formation with the No. 1 engine on fire, feathered, and barely under control.
Then came the final blow.
Over Holland, a German fighter attack left the aircraft devastated. With three engines out — two of them burning — “Lady Millicent” was completely disabled.
Realizing the aircraft could not stay airborne, the crew prepared to abandon the bomber.
With the exception of the pilot and co-pilot, the crew successfully bailed out and were captured, becoming Prisoners of War.
But 2nd Lt. Myrle Stinnett and 2nd Lt. Carl L. Glassman stayed with the crippled aircraft.
Against the odds, they managed to crash-land “Lady Millicent” near Auiweja, approximately 30km east of Arnhem.
Before leaving the wreck, the two pilots set fire to the aircraft to prevent its capture.
Then they disappeared into occupied territory.
Both men successfully evaded capture for months behind enemy lines.
2nd Lt. Myrle J. Stinnett returned to base on 19 September 1944
2nd Lt. Carl L. Glassman returned to Snetterton Heath on 27 September 1944
Their survival was extraordinary.
Crew of “Lady Millicent”
2nd Lt. Myrle J. Stinnett – Pilot
2nd Lt. Carl L. Glassman – Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Edward A. Merrill – Navigator
F/O James W. Hutchinson – Bombardier
Sgt. Joseph P. Pollio – Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
S/Sgt. David H. Schwantee – Radio Operator
Sgt. Harold E. Wilson – Left Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. S. T. Rankin – Right Waist Gunner
Sgt. John Kozikowski – Tail Gunner
Sgt. Orville R. Smith – Ball Turret Gunner
The story of “Lady Millicent” is one of courage in the face of overwhelming odds — a crew torn apart by combat, yet determined to survive.
Some became POWs.
Two vanished into occupied Europe and found their way home months later.
We remember them with honour.

10/05/2026

🚨 Just 7 Days to Go! 🚨
The countdown is on… in ONE WEEK, the doors of the 96th Bomb Group Museum open for the 2nd time in 2026! ✈️
Join us for an unforgettable Open Day and step back into history: 📅 Sunday 17th May 2026
🎟️ FREE ENTRY
📍 Quidenham, NR16 2NZ
Explore fascinating exhibits, meet passionate volunteers, and experience the stories of those who served.
Bring your friends, bring your family — and be part of the first Open Day of the season!
We can’t wait to welcome you. See you there! 🇬🇧

08/05/2026

VE Day 2026

As their number dwindle each day it is our responsibility to keep their memories alive so that future generations don't forget. For they are the greatest generation and we owe them a debt that can not be repaid.

06/05/2026

CREW OF THE WEEK
Capt. Milton Shoesmith’s Crew
337th Bomb Squadron
Some crews faced the skies over Germany knowing the odds were against them — yet continued to lead the way.
This week, we remember the crew of Capt. Milton H. Shoesmith, assigned to the 337th Bomb Squadron in November 1943.
Berlin – 8 May 1944
On 8 May 1944, Capt. Shoesmith piloted B-17G 42-39998 as the lead aircraft of B Group on a mission to Berlin.
Deep over enemy territory, the aircraft came under heavy attack from both flak and enemy fighters.
Despite severe damage, the crew managed to keep the bomber in the air long enough for every man aboard to escape.
All 11 crew members successfully bailed out and survived — though each would become a Prisoner of War.
The aircraft later crashed near Resthausen, four miles northwest of Cloppenburg, Germany.
The Men in the Photograph
Pictured with Capt. Shoesmith are members of the crew who flew together through some of the most dangerous missions of the air war over Europe.
Standing left to right
T/Sgt. George L. Diggins – Ball Turret Gunner
Capt. Milton H. Shoesmith – Pilot
1st Lt. William S. Blount – Navigator
1st Lt. R. L. Musgrove – Co-Pilot (not on 8 May mission)
T/Sgt. Armande Fazzone – Top Turret Gunner / Engineer
S/Sgt. J. W. Tothill – Gunner (not on 8 May mission)
S/Sgt. M. A. Carlton – Radio Operator (not on 8 May mission)
S/Sgt. Raymond Wallach – Tail Gunner
Kneeling left to right
S/Sgt. Donald W. York – Right Waist Gunner
1st Lt. Leon W. Tyler – Bombardier
Additional Crew on the 8 May Mission
The following men also flew with Capt. Shoesmith on the Berlin mission but are not pictured in the attached crew photograph:
1st Lt. William A. Young – Operations Leader
F/O Carl E. Clark – Co-Pilot
T/Sgt. Baldemero A. Estela – Radio Operator
Sgt. Laurence R. Light – Left Waist Gunner
Their story is one of leadership under fire, survival against the odds, and the shared fate of crews who flew deep into enemy territory during the air war over Europe.
Though their aircraft was lost, the entire crew survived the mission.
We remember them with honour.

29/04/2026

CREW OF THE WEEK
1st Lt. Harold J. Wilcox Crew
413th Bomb Squadron
Some missions ended not with a return to Snetterton Heath…
but with silence over the Channel.
This week, we remember the crew of 1st Lt. Harold J. Wilcox, assigned to the 413th Bomb Squadron in April 1944.
11 June 1944
On the morning of 11 June 1944, the crew took off from RAF Snetterton Heath aboard B-17 42-97693, serving as a lead aircraft on a mission to the Beaumont-le-Roger Airfield, France.
As the formation crossed the Channel, the aircraft came under fire from German flak batteries positioned on the Channel Island of Guernsey.
The bomber was hit.
Witnesses last saw the aircraft stalling out over the sea, approximately twenty miles off the French coast.
At 09:08 hours, the aircraft crashed into the Channel, three miles west of Langenberg, west of Guernsey.
One Survivor
Only one man survived the crash.
S/Sgt. Adonal G. Hudson, the crew’s Tail Gunner, was rescued from the sea by a German Navy boat and spent the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of War.
The other 11 men aboard were lost.
Today, those who made the ultimate sacrifice are commemorated on the Wall of the Missing at Brittany American Cemetery, with the exception of S/Sgt. Paul L. Davis, who is remembered on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Madingley.
Crew of B-17 42-97693
1st Lt. Harold J. Wilcox – Pilot
2nd Lt. Donald L. Smith – Co-Pilot
1st Lt. Glen A. Fister – Pathfinder Operator
Capt. James P. Stratton – Command Pilot
1st Lt. Glenn G. Read – Navigator
2nd Lt. Robert S. Gershon – Bombardier
T/Sgt. Leland D. Glover – Engineer
T/Sgt. Thomas L. Smith – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Richmond C. Reed – Left Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Paul L. Davis – Right Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Adonal G. Hudson – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Charles D. Rogers – Passenger
The sea over the Channel became the final resting place for many airmen during the war.
This crew was among them.
Their service, sacrifice, and memory endure.
We remember them with honour.

29/04/2026

Flight Plan of Lt. Leo T. Green and his navigator Lt. James F. Hesketh for the May 8th, 1944 mission to Berlin, Germany.

B-17G-50-BO 42-102444 "Smilin‘ Thru". 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group.

They failed to return from that mission and the entire crew became POW.

Source of Flight Plan:
German Report KU-772A

FYI: 96th Bomb Group Museum UK

22/04/2026

CREW OF THE WEEK
Lt. George Fabian’s Crew
B-17F 42-38030 “Merry Widow”
Some crews carried more than the weight of combat.
They carried loss.
This week, we remember Lt. George Fabian’s crew, assigned to the 337th Bomb Squadron in September 1943, flying B-17F “Merry Widow.”
This was Fabian’s second crew.
Just weeks earlier, on 13 December 1943, a crash landing near base had claimed the lives of four members of his original crew.
Despite that loss, Fabian returned to the air.
Frankfurt – 4 February 1944
On a mission to the marshalling yards at Frankfurt am Main, Germany, “Merry Widow” came under heavy attack from enemy fighters and flak.
The damage was severe.
With the aircraft no longer able to stay in the fight, the order was given.
All 10 crew members bailed out.
Every man survived the jump — but all were captured and became Prisoners of War.
The aircraft crashed at 12:59 hours at Schaesberg, Limburg, Holland.
The impact caused damage to homes on Baanstraat, and tragically, four civilians lost their lives.
A Story of Service and Sacrifice
The story of this crew is not only one of survival in the air, but also a reminder of the wider cost of war — felt by both those who flew and those on the ground below.
Crew of “Merry Widow”
Officers
1st Lt. George Fabian – Pilot
2nd Lt. Tom Scanlan – Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Robert Clark – Navigator
2nd Lt. Robert Hughes – Bombardier
Enlisted Crew
T/Sgt. Joseph M. Tonko – Engineer
T/Sgt. William E. Shield Jr. (“Tex”) – Radio Operator
S/Sgt. John Yuhas – Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt. Frank Alioto – Right Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Jay Epright – Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Michael J. Mondo – (assigned after this photo was taken)
From loss… to return… to captivity.
Their story reflects the resilience, courage, and reality of service in wartime.
We remember them with honour.

20/04/2026

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