THE DORSAL QUEEN
Updated: 5th May 2023
This web page for ‘The Dorsal Queen’ has been updated from wartime USAAF records.
We had long believed that there was some confusion between the location to where both aircraft crashed
This web page for ‘The Dorsal Queen’ has been updated from wartime USAAF records. The information in the official records clears up previous confusion in our files and proves that after colliding with ‘Raunchy Wolf’ B17F 42-30264 crashed and exploded at Tillingham Hall Farm. The only survivor was Staff Sergeant John Adams the tail gunner who parachuted from the severed tail section. The aircraft captain, 1st Lieutenant Paul M Yannello was killed with the rest of his crew and 1st Lieutenant Sidney White, Squadron Operations Officer, who was aboard the aircraft as a Bombadier Observer.
‘The Dorsal Queen’ crashed after a collision with B17F 42-3299 named ‘Raunchy Wolf’ from the same squadron. The collision occurred when the squadron was letting down near Brentwood after an abortive bombing mission. At six to eight thousand feet pilots encountered severe windshield icing which hampered their vision. ‘The Dorsal Queen’ was seen to slide below and behind ‘Raunchy Wolf’ where it appeared to be affected by prop wash. As ‘The Dorsal Queen’ pulled up to regain position it’s vertical stabiliser hit the trailing edge of ‘Raunchy Wolf’’s left wing, which broke off outboard of the number 4 engine. The complete tail of ‘The Dorsal Queen’ also broke off before it reared up into a vertical climb and reportedly spun into the ground at Tillingham Hall Farm, where it exploded shortly after impact. ‘Raunchy Wolf’ meanwhile crashed and exploded at Nutty’s Farm killing everyone on board. The only survivor from either aircraft was Staff Sergeant John Adams who managed to bale out of the severed tail of ‘The Dorsal Queen’ and knocked on the door of Becketts Farm to ask for help. The official report on the collision cited severe windscreen icing as the likely main contributing factor.’
DETAILS TAKEN FROM THE 385th BOMB GROUP HISTORY FOR 1943
" The target today was Rheims-Champaigne.
Since all objectives were too overcast for effective bombing, none were dropped.
On the return, over England, two of our finest crews - those of Lt.John Keeley and Lt. Paul Yannello - collided while they were letting down from altitude.
S/sgt Adams of Lt Yannello's crew, alone parachuted to safety. Lt.Sidney White, Squadron Operations Officer, who was on this mission as assistant bombardier on the Yannello crew was among those who went down. Both lt Keeley and Yannello had completed 11 operational missions, and they and their crews were considered among the most efficient and dependable in this group".
DETAILS TAKEN FROM THE 385th BOMB GROUP HISTORY FOR 1943
" The target today was Rheims-Champaigne.
Since all objectives were too overcast for effective bombing, none were dropped.
On the return, over England, two of our finest crews - those of Lt.John Keeley and Lt. Paul Yannello - collided while they were letting down from altitude.
S/sgt Adams of Lt Yannello's crew, alone parachuted to safety. Lt.Sidney White, Squadron Operations Officer, who was on this mission as assistant bombardier on the Yannello crew was among those who went down. Both lt Keeley and Yannello had completed 11 operational missions, and they and their crews were considered among the most efficient and dependable in this group".
The Crew of The Dorsal Queen
0733769.2nd Lt. Paul N. Yannello .... Pilot.
0663975. 2nd Lt. Fredric E. Wilson .... Co-Pilot.
0679709. 2nd Lt. Guilford N. Black .... Navigator.
0738679. 2nd Lt. Charles A. Wardel ....Bombardier.
39847395. S/Sgt. Walter F. McMillan .... Aero Eng Gunner.
11033994. S/Sgt. Stanley J. Gula .... Radio Op Gunner.
15104643. S/Sgt. Edgar L. Seitz .... Asst Aero Eng Gunner.
18116991. S/Sgt. LawrenceC. Kern .... Asst Rad Op Gunner.
33304101. S/Sgt John J. Adams .... Arm Gunner. ( the only survivor pictured right)
15070226. S/Sgt. Marion E. McGuinnis .... Asst Arm Gunner.
This aircraft remains were originally excavated in 1978 with major finds of engines,
undercarriage.
The remains of the B17 are in storage