Staff Seargent James Morgan "Jimmie" Elliott was the son of Robert C. Elliott and Leora Gibson. He was born 28 August 1922 in Phillipsburg, Kansas and died 16 Nov 1943 while serving his country in WWII on a mission as the tailgunner of a bomber over Istres France.
The plane they were flying the day of the crash was "Homesick Angel" B17F Serial #42-3147 with MACR 01195 Missing Aircraft Report documenting the crash. Their original bird, named "Skylark" was so battle damaged the pilot refused to fly it. So he (they) were given another ship. The photo of crew in this memorial is in from of the Skylark.
SSGT James "Jimmy" Morgan Elliott, was a tailgunner on B-17's with the 97th Bombardment Group, 341st Bomber Squadron, 15th Air Force under Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. Flying out of Depeinne Tunisia. Depienne Airfield is a World War II airfield in Tunisia, located approximately 12 km northeast of El Fahs, and 53 km southwest of Tunis. Flying on targets over the Mediterranean, Italy, France and then Europe. He was shot down over their target Istres airfield in France on 16 Nov 1943. Everyone on-board died except one crewmember their mechanic SSGT Kenneth Eslick who parachuted was captured and held as a POW. Jimmy Elliott remains were recovered by German soldiers.
Mission:
TUESDAY, 16 NOV 1943 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (15th Air Force): In France, B-17's bomb Istres-Le-Tube airfield, and B-26's hit Salon-de-Provence airfield. P-38's escort the B-26's and NATAF B-25 attack airfield at Eleusis, Greece.
"SSGT Elliott's body was removed from the Lavalduc' lake (West of Marseille, southern France, south and close too the target) by the Germans soldiers. On April 13'1944, his body was found floating at shore in the lake. He still wearing his flying gear and mae-west. He was first buried in the civilian cemetery of Istres with full Military honor. August 3rd, the body of the S/sgt Earl Large was again foun at shore in the same condition. The wreck of his B-17 # 42-3147 was discovered when the lake was dried up in the 60's. The ship was broken in many pieces and all the rest of the crew found aboard. I have a special file about this losse if needed. Philippe"
www.aero-relic.org
Ken Eslick grandson of mechanic and gunner Ken Eslick who was captured held as POW has said the following.
See web link for Ken Eslick side of the story: http://flgrube1.tripod.com/id352.html
"The plane, flying in the #3 position of the 2nd element was making a second pass on the target, Istres Le Tube A/D (airdrome) when flames were seen in the cockpit and along the #3 engine. The plane momentarily held course then dropped down to the right. The plane had been hit by flak. It was observed to crash into a lake. No parachutes were observed.
Another witness states the flak hit in/near the right front side of bomb bay setting it on fire. As the plane turned out of formation he could see the entire area from the left side of the bomb bay out to the #3 engine on the right wing was on fire. Again, no chutes were seen. When the plane hit the lake (Lake Berre) all he could see was a mass of flames. The target airfield was located next to Lake Berre.
The MACR contains no other statements about what happened. The crew list in the MACR has the entire crew KIA except for SSgt. Kenneth O. Eslick.
The MACR can be seen by clicking on the camera link for the Photo Album."
"Grandad (Ken Eslick) really didn't like talking about the war. But here's what is known from various accounts from the family. The 'Angel' was on its 17th sortie and was making a second pass over the bombing target, by the second pass, the flak guns had dialed them in. When his plane was hit he remembered they went into a power spin. The centrifugal force pinned him against the fuselage so hard, he couldn't move his arms. Somehow he was able to reach lanyards to the door hinges and it popped open and shot him outside. He pulled his chute and all he could see below him was water. He maneuvered himself until he could see ground and landed. He said he didn't even have time to fold up his chute before he had a Luger in his back and was captured."
** Obituary for Jimmy Elliott
Telephone Register, McMinnville, Oregon, Thursday, December 9, 1943
"SOLDIERS REPORTED MISSING, KILLED"
"Mac and Dayton Boys Casualties of War
Names of two more Yamhill county men this week were added to the list of the district's war casualties.
Staff Sergeant James M. Elliott of McMinnville has been missing in action over France since November 16, according to word received from the war department by the soldier's mother, Mrs. Leona Elliott of 1306 Johnson Street.
Elliott was a graduate of Monmouth high school, and was employed by the Oregon News company in Portland at the time of his induction into the service in May, 1942. He trained at Lowry Field, Colo., and at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, and received his wings at Wendover Field, Utah. He served as a tail gunner of a Flying Fortress crew. Elliott was sent overseas in July and was based in North Africa."
The plane they were flying the day of the crash was "Homesick Angel" B17F Serial #42-3147 with MACR 01195 Missing Aircraft Report documenting the crash. Their original bird, named "Skylark" was so battle damaged the pilot refused to fly it. So he (they) were given another ship. The photo of crew in this memorial is in from of the Skylark.
SSGT James "Jimmy" Morgan Elliott, was a tailgunner on B-17's with the 97th Bombardment Group, 341st Bomber Squadron, 15th Air Force under Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. Flying out of Depeinne Tunisia. Depienne Airfield is a World War II airfield in Tunisia, located approximately 12 km northeast of El Fahs, and 53 km southwest of Tunis. Flying on targets over the Mediterranean, Italy, France and then Europe. He was shot down over their target Istres airfield in France on 16 Nov 1943. Everyone on-board died except one crewmember their mechanic SSGT Kenneth Eslick who parachuted was captured and held as a POW. Jimmy Elliott remains were recovered by German soldiers.
Mission:
TUESDAY, 16 NOV 1943 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (15th Air Force): In France, B-17's bomb Istres-Le-Tube airfield, and B-26's hit Salon-de-Provence airfield. P-38's escort the B-26's and NATAF B-25 attack airfield at Eleusis, Greece.
"SSGT Elliott's body was removed from the Lavalduc' lake (West of Marseille, southern France, south and close too the target) by the Germans soldiers. On April 13'1944, his body was found floating at shore in the lake. He still wearing his flying gear and mae-west. He was first buried in the civilian cemetery of Istres with full Military honor. August 3rd, the body of the S/sgt Earl Large was again foun at shore in the same condition. The wreck of his B-17 # 42-3147 was discovered when the lake was dried up in the 60's. The ship was broken in many pieces and all the rest of the crew found aboard. I have a special file about this losse if needed. Philippe"
www.aero-relic.org
Ken Eslick grandson of mechanic and gunner Ken Eslick who was captured held as POW has said the following.
See web link for Ken Eslick side of the story: http://flgrube1.tripod.com/id352.html
"The plane, flying in the #3 position of the 2nd element was making a second pass on the target, Istres Le Tube A/D (airdrome) when flames were seen in the cockpit and along the #3 engine. The plane momentarily held course then dropped down to the right. The plane had been hit by flak. It was observed to crash into a lake. No parachutes were observed.
Another witness states the flak hit in/near the right front side of bomb bay setting it on fire. As the plane turned out of formation he could see the entire area from the left side of the bomb bay out to the #3 engine on the right wing was on fire. Again, no chutes were seen. When the plane hit the lake (Lake Berre) all he could see was a mass of flames. The target airfield was located next to Lake Berre.
The MACR contains no other statements about what happened. The crew list in the MACR has the entire crew KIA except for SSgt. Kenneth O. Eslick.
The MACR can be seen by clicking on the camera link for the Photo Album."
"Grandad (Ken Eslick) really didn't like talking about the war. But here's what is known from various accounts from the family. The 'Angel' was on its 17th sortie and was making a second pass over the bombing target, by the second pass, the flak guns had dialed them in. When his plane was hit he remembered they went into a power spin. The centrifugal force pinned him against the fuselage so hard, he couldn't move his arms. Somehow he was able to reach lanyards to the door hinges and it popped open and shot him outside. He pulled his chute and all he could see below him was water. He maneuvered himself until he could see ground and landed. He said he didn't even have time to fold up his chute before he had a Luger in his back and was captured."
** Obituary for Jimmy Elliott
Telephone Register, McMinnville, Oregon, Thursday, December 9, 1943
"SOLDIERS REPORTED MISSING, KILLED"
"Mac and Dayton Boys Casualties of War
Names of two more Yamhill county men this week were added to the list of the district's war casualties.
Staff Sergeant James M. Elliott of McMinnville has been missing in action over France since November 16, according to word received from the war department by the soldier's mother, Mrs. Leona Elliott of 1306 Johnson Street.
Elliott was a graduate of Monmouth high school, and was employed by the Oregon News company in Portland at the time of his induction into the service in May, 1942. He trained at Lowry Field, Colo., and at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, and received his wings at Wendover Field, Utah. He served as a tail gunner of a Flying Fortress crew. Elliott was sent overseas in July and was based in North Africa."
Staff Seargent James Morgan "Jimmie" Elliott was the son of Robert C. Elliott and Leora Gibson. He was born 28 August 1922 in Phillipsburg, Kansas and died 16 Nov 1943 while serving his country in WWII on a mission as the tailgunner of a bomber over Istres France.
The plane they were flying the day of the crash was "Homesick Angel" B17F Serial #42-3147 with MACR 01195 Missing Aircraft Report documenting the crash. Their original bird, named "Skylark" was so battle damaged the pilot refused to fly it. So he (they) were given another ship. The photo of crew in this memorial is in from of the Skylark.
SSGT James "Jimmy" Morgan Elliott, was a tailgunner on B-17's with the 97th Bombardment Group, 341st Bomber Squadron, 15th Air Force under Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. Flying out of Depeinne Tunisia. Depienne Airfield is a World War II airfield in Tunisia, located approximately 12 km northeast of El Fahs, and 53 km southwest of Tunis. Flying on targets over the Mediterranean, Italy, France and then Europe. He was shot down over their target Istres airfield in France on 16 Nov 1943. Everyone on-board died except one crewmember their mechanic SSGT Kenneth Eslick who parachuted was captured and held as a POW. Jimmy Elliott remains were recovered by German soldiers.
Mission:
TUESDAY, 16 NOV 1943 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (15th Air Force): In France, B-17's bomb Istres-Le-Tube airfield, and B-26's hit Salon-de-Provence airfield. P-38's escort the B-26's and NATAF B-25 attack airfield at Eleusis, Greece.
"SSGT Elliott's body was removed from the Lavalduc' lake (West of Marseille, southern France, south and close too the target) by the Germans soldiers. On April 13'1944, his body was found floating at shore in the lake. He still wearing his flying gear and mae-west. He was first buried in the civilian cemetery of Istres with full Military honor. August 3rd, the body of the S/sgt Earl Large was again foun at shore in the same condition. The wreck of his B-17 # 42-3147 was discovered when the lake was dried up in the 60's. The ship was broken in many pieces and all the rest of the crew found aboard. I have a special file about this losse if needed. Philippe"
www.aero-relic.org
Ken Eslick grandson of mechanic and gunner Ken Eslick who was captured held as POW has said the following.
See web link for Ken Eslick side of the story: http://flgrube1.tripod.com/id352.html
"The plane, flying in the #3 position of the 2nd element was making a second pass on the target, Istres Le Tube A/D (airdrome) when flames were seen in the cockpit and along the #3 engine. The plane momentarily held course then dropped down to the right. The plane had been hit by flak. It was observed to crash into a lake. No parachutes were observed.
Another witness states the flak hit in/near the right front side of bomb bay setting it on fire. As the plane turned out of formation he could see the entire area from the left side of the bomb bay out to the #3 engine on the right wing was on fire. Again, no chutes were seen. When the plane hit the lake (Lake Berre) all he could see was a mass of flames. The target airfield was located next to Lake Berre.
The MACR contains no other statements about what happened. The crew list in the MACR has the entire crew KIA except for SSgt. Kenneth O. Eslick.
The MACR can be seen by clicking on the camera link for the Photo Album."
"Grandad (Ken Eslick) really didn't like talking about the war. But here's what is known from various accounts from the family. The 'Angel' was on its 17th sortie and was making a second pass over the bombing target, by the second pass, the flak guns had dialed them in. When his plane was hit he remembered they went into a power spin. The centrifugal force pinned him against the fuselage so hard, he couldn't move his arms. Somehow he was able to reach lanyards to the door hinges and it popped open and shot him outside. He pulled his chute and all he could see below him was water. He maneuvered himself until he could see ground and landed. He said he didn't even have time to fold up his chute before he had a Luger in his back and was captured."
** Obituary for Jimmy Elliott
Telephone Register, McMinnville, Oregon, Thursday, December 9, 1943
"SOLDIERS REPORTED MISSING, KILLED"
"Mac and Dayton Boys Casualties of War
Names of two more Yamhill county men this week were added to the list of the district's war casualties.
Staff Sergeant James M. Elliott of McMinnville has been missing in action over France since November 16, according to word received from the war department by the soldier's mother, Mrs. Leona Elliott of 1306 Johnson Street.
Elliott was a graduate of Monmouth high school, and was employed by the Oregon News company in Portland at the time of his induction into the service in May, 1942. He trained at Lowry Field, Colo., and at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, and received his wings at Wendover Field, Utah. He served as a tail gunner of a Flying Fortress crew. Elliott was sent overseas in July and was based in North Africa."
The plane they were flying the day of the crash was "Homesick Angel" B17F Serial #42-3147 with MACR 01195 Missing Aircraft Report documenting the crash. Their original bird, named "Skylark" was so battle damaged the pilot refused to fly it. So he (they) were given another ship. The photo of crew in this memorial is in from of the Skylark.
SSGT James "Jimmy" Morgan Elliott, was a tailgunner on B-17's with the 97th Bombardment Group, 341st Bomber Squadron, 15th Air Force under Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. Flying out of Depeinne Tunisia. Depienne Airfield is a World War II airfield in Tunisia, located approximately 12 km northeast of El Fahs, and 53 km southwest of Tunis. Flying on targets over the Mediterranean, Italy, France and then Europe. He was shot down over their target Istres airfield in France on 16 Nov 1943. Everyone on-board died except one crewmember their mechanic SSGT Kenneth Eslick who parachuted was captured and held as a POW. Jimmy Elliott remains were recovered by German soldiers.
Mission:
TUESDAY, 16 NOV 1943 STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (15th Air Force): In France, B-17's bomb Istres-Le-Tube airfield, and B-26's hit Salon-de-Provence airfield. P-38's escort the B-26's and NATAF B-25 attack airfield at Eleusis, Greece.
"SSGT Elliott's body was removed from the Lavalduc' lake (West of Marseille, southern France, south and close too the target) by the Germans soldiers. On April 13'1944, his body was found floating at shore in the lake. He still wearing his flying gear and mae-west. He was first buried in the civilian cemetery of Istres with full Military honor. August 3rd, the body of the S/sgt Earl Large was again foun at shore in the same condition. The wreck of his B-17 # 42-3147 was discovered when the lake was dried up in the 60's. The ship was broken in many pieces and all the rest of the crew found aboard. I have a special file about this losse if needed. Philippe"
www.aero-relic.org
Ken Eslick grandson of mechanic and gunner Ken Eslick who was captured held as POW has said the following.
See web link for Ken Eslick side of the story: http://flgrube1.tripod.com/id352.html
"The plane, flying in the #3 position of the 2nd element was making a second pass on the target, Istres Le Tube A/D (airdrome) when flames were seen in the cockpit and along the #3 engine. The plane momentarily held course then dropped down to the right. The plane had been hit by flak. It was observed to crash into a lake. No parachutes were observed.
Another witness states the flak hit in/near the right front side of bomb bay setting it on fire. As the plane turned out of formation he could see the entire area from the left side of the bomb bay out to the #3 engine on the right wing was on fire. Again, no chutes were seen. When the plane hit the lake (Lake Berre) all he could see was a mass of flames. The target airfield was located next to Lake Berre.
The MACR contains no other statements about what happened. The crew list in the MACR has the entire crew KIA except for SSgt. Kenneth O. Eslick.
The MACR can be seen by clicking on the camera link for the Photo Album."
"Grandad (Ken Eslick) really didn't like talking about the war. But here's what is known from various accounts from the family. The 'Angel' was on its 17th sortie and was making a second pass over the bombing target, by the second pass, the flak guns had dialed them in. When his plane was hit he remembered they went into a power spin. The centrifugal force pinned him against the fuselage so hard, he couldn't move his arms. Somehow he was able to reach lanyards to the door hinges and it popped open and shot him outside. He pulled his chute and all he could see below him was water. He maneuvered himself until he could see ground and landed. He said he didn't even have time to fold up his chute before he had a Luger in his back and was captured."
** Obituary for Jimmy Elliott
Telephone Register, McMinnville, Oregon, Thursday, December 9, 1943
"SOLDIERS REPORTED MISSING, KILLED"
"Mac and Dayton Boys Casualties of War
Names of two more Yamhill county men this week were added to the list of the district's war casualties.
Staff Sergeant James M. Elliott of McMinnville has been missing in action over France since November 16, according to word received from the war department by the soldier's mother, Mrs. Leona Elliott of 1306 Johnson Street.
Elliott was a graduate of Monmouth high school, and was employed by the Oregon News company in Portland at the time of his induction into the service in May, 1942. He trained at Lowry Field, Colo., and at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, and received his wings at Wendover Field, Utah. He served as a tail gunner of a Flying Fortress crew. Elliott was sent overseas in July and was based in North Africa."
Inscription
"Died While On Mission Mediterranean Area Nov 16"
Gravesite Details
Also buried in Istres France Cemetery with full Military Honors.
