B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-8207

History of
B-17 44-8207

Delivered Dallas 10/7/44; Langley 5/8/44; Grenier 29/8/44; Assigned: 562BS/388BG Knettishall 2/11/44; 563BS; battle damage Hamburg 31/12/44 Pilot: Wayne Davis, Maj Bill Harrell, Fred Dearing, Bill Stafford, Ed Van Every, Orvil Gough, Earl Jasper, Lt Norman Isaacs {radio nav}, Jerry Janis, Lt Don Sachs {tg} (10POW); flak, ditched off Baltrum, Germany. MACR 11241.

Last updated: 24. April 2023

B-17 44-8207 Details

This A/C was hit by flak over the target just before bombs away. At the bomb release line the A/C swerved off to the right out of formation dropped six bombs at this time. The command pilot was then heard over VHF saying “My number 1 engine is out and number 2 engine is on fire and I have wounded aboard. I’m leaving the formation. Fall in on the number 4 ship in the formation.” A/C 207 was last seen heading for the coast at Cuxhaven under control but steadily losing altitude. B-17 #114 of the low squadron in the same group also had to leave its formation and reports flying off the wing of A/C 207 for a few minutes. But A/C 207 opened its bomb away doors and headed for Cuxhaven as though making a bomb run on the city. A/C 114 then lost A/C 207 from view. No chutes seen.

Source: MACR 11241

B-17 44-8207 Crew