WW2 B-17 loss in Aleutians

mas · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:38 am

A friend of mine is researching the death of a hometown boy during WW2 and is not having much luck in finding out any details about the actual mission he was involved in when lost. I told him about the WIX gang and how someone here might have some info. The fellow was Sgt. Harold A. Swetland from Belle Center, OH, a member of the 36th Squadron of the 28th Bomb Group, and went missing 15 April, 1943 up in the Aleutians.

Can anyone here provide some details of the mission he was on at the time, or send us in the right direction to find same?

Mike Shade

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:21 am

Try www,oocities,org or GOOGLE '11th air force historical' for a link. 36th Sqn 28th BG became 28 Composite Group consisting of the 73rd, 77th, & 404th B.S. based @ Adak. The unit history shows no B-17's but there is a link to connect to the historical section and ask questions.
At least it's a start and you never know where it will lead and the story of those poor forgotten troops and the tough job they did in horrible conditions needs much more telling

TonyM · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:40 am

Cannot find a B-17 loss in Alaska for that date. It is not in the accident record.

Do you have any more information?

TM.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:55 am

A quick check of the MACRs via Footnote/Fold3 gives a Sgt. Harold A. Swetland of the 36th Bomb Squadron KIA "300yds short of North Head, Kiska Island". The aircraft serial given is 41-3970, however that must be an error as no such serial was issued.

It's a little unclear, as I don't have access to the full file at the moment, but I believe it is MACR 16219.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:01 am

Slight update...

MACR 16219 seems to refer to the loss of B-24D 41-23970, of the 36th Bomb Squadron, 15th April 1943.

All the best,
PB

Dave Smith · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:07 pm

The AAF in WW2 Combat Chronology says this for 11th Air Force on April 15, 1943:

"Reconnaissance over Kiska, Attu, Semichis, and Agattu spots no new enemy activities. Two bomber missions from Adak and 11 fighter missions from Amchitka, composed of 23 B-24s, 20 B-25s, 25 P-38s, and 44 P-40s, hit Kiska. One F-5A takes photos. 85 tons of bombs are dropped. Fires result on North Head and Little Kiska. One B-24 shot down in flames, four bombers receive battle damage."

mas · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:37 pm

Thank you all. I have passed along your replies.

Mike

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

http://images.google.com/search?hl=en&s ... (S.A.+B257)+source:life&start=20&sa=N&biw=1111&bih=586&sei=yoTvTq3eIYrZ0QGjrIShCQ&tbm=isch

These are images from Shimaya.., i am sure.., similar conditions to Adak. No B-17's stationed at these bases that I have ever seen or read of.

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:15 pm

I never heard of any B-17's out that way. All I ever heard about was B-24's and some B-25's :drink3:

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:48 pm

The LIFE shots of the P-40's in weak sunshine is referred to as 'Senatorial weather' after a theatre visit from a group of U.S. Senators towards the end of the campaign. Normally the weather is seriously windy and foggy but has been known to degenerate rapidly from there. White outs are common where you can't see your hand at arms length sometimes for days or weeks. As the Senatorial party arrived on Adak, the skies parted and the sun blazed down during the tour period, within minutes of them departing the weather went back to being equal to being stuck inside a cow.
It ain't changed a great deal over the years.

Dave Smith · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:56 pm

And not forgetting Report from the Aleutians:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-uunv1nMw

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:38 pm

Since the Navy closed Adak NAS the place is pretty much abandoned, I always thought it would make the ultimate maximum security prison. Run the inmates through a gate on the end of the pier and close the gate. They won't go anywhere, 3 minutes and 50 yards in the water will cause fatal hypothermia, no ice to escape across and if you don't behave, you don't get fed.

Stratasfan · **Joined:** Sat May 18, 2013 12:36 pm **Posts:** 2

Hi! I am trying to find info about Harold Swetland, too. Wondering if you found out anything more? Would be interested! Thanks!

49er · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:48 pm

My father was in a B-17 squadron in the Aleutians for all of the war. He was an Aviation Electrician Chief.
From what I gather most aviation in the Aleutians was USAAF and not Navy.

PJ · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:27 pm

49er wrote:

My father was in a B-17 squadron in the Aleutians for all of the war. He was an Aviation Electrician Chief.
From what I gather most aviation in the Aleutians was USAAF and not Navy.

Plenty of Naval Aviation in the Aleutians===all of the PV-1 and PV-2 squadrons and Catalinas. Fleet Air Wing 4 was the Empire Express---flying 14 hour missions to bomb the Japanese home islands.

PJ
PV-2 Harpoon "Hot Stuff"
www.amhf.org

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WW2 B-17 loss in Aleutians

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