B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-6287

History of
B-17 44-6287

Delivered Kearney 24/6/44; Dow Fd 7/7/44; Assigned 772BS/463BG Celone 11/7/44; Missing in Action Valence 15/8/44 with Larry Gault, Co-pilot: Chas McCarthy, Navigator: Marvin Berger, Bombardier: Alf Michel, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry Jaggers, Radio Operator: Chas Howell, Waist gunner: Bob McCalla, Waist gunner: Ed Mettler,Tail gunner: Bob Davis (9POW?); Ball turret gunner: R.D. Williams (KIA?); flak, crashed Montmeyran; Missing Air Crew Report 7461.

Last updated: 23. April 2020

B-17 44-6287 Details

Statements of witnesses from MACR 7461

Ship #44-6287, missing in action 15 August 1944. Ship #44-6287 was probably hit between the prop and cowling because the propeller flew off number 2 engine and it burst into flames. He peeled out of formation and spiraled down. Eight (8) chutes came open and the ship, seemingly under control, continued in a straight and level flight. I did not see it hit the ground.

S/Sgt. Pete Di Chellis

Ship #44-6287, missing in action 15 August 1944. While flying dog seven, I was watching ship #44-6287. It looked like a flak shell exploded between the prob and the engine of number 2 engine. The prob came off and the engine started burning. The ship dropped out of formation to the right and I saw eight chutes come out.

T/Sgt. Donald H. Vande Garde

Ship #44-6287, missing in action 15 August 1944. I was flying tail gunner in Dog Four. Flak hit number 2 engine and the prob flew off. It immediately caught on fire. It gradually lost altitude but was under control all the time. Fire never went out and I watched ten (10) chutes come out.

S/Sgt. Lester W. Clark

Ship #44-6287, missing in action 15 August 1944.

Ship #44-6287 had number 2 engine shot away. Flak took the propellor clean off of engine and spun down to the left of the ship. Cowling was taken off clear to the wing and the engine was ablaze. The ship peeled off to the right under control, and from about 1000 feet under us (Dog One), I counted nine (9) chutes out and open.

S/Sgt. John L. Creviston

Ship #44-6287, missing in action 15 August 1944. Ship #44-6287 was hit by flak in number 2 engine right after bombs away. Number 2 engine was on fire as the ship lost altitude rapidly. I saw then (10) chutes come out of the ship. It made a 180° back towards the chutes and then went down and crashed into the ground.

S/Sgt. Marvin J. Bates, Jr.

B-17 44-6287 Crew