| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-25-DL: 42-37989 to 42-38083 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 306th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 367th Bomb Squadron, 369th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR | 4669 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire, ditched (08 May 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-38008
Delivered Cheyenne 11/11/43; Gr Island 1/12/43; New Castle 7/12/43; Nutts Corner, N.I., 20/12/43; ass 367BS/306BG [GY- ] Thurleigh 21/1/44; Transferred: 369BS; MIA Berlin 8/5/44 Pilot: Lou Matichka, Co-Pilot: Willis Nelson, Navigator: Walt Morris, Bombardier: Bill Stevens, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Bob Goodwin, Radio Operator: Bob Morris, Ball Turret Gunner: Warren Johnson, Waist Gunner: Forest Buford, Waist Gunner: John Watt, Tail Gunner: Jesse Watts (10INT); flak KOd two engines, ditched close to Vallo, Sweden; [still there in 1982/2016] MACR 4669.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-38008 Details
According to S/Sgt. Charles W. Foley, Tail Gunner in the lead aircraft of Lt. Matichka’s formation, the following is an account of occurrences pertaining to aircraft No. 42-38008, Pilot Lt. L. F. Matichka:
Immediately after bombs away (about 1113 hours) over or near Berlin, Germany, Lt. Matichka peeled off. At the time Sgt. Foley thought he was doing evasive action. There was no apparent battle damage of any kind. No parachutes were observed. The ship did not return to base.
Source: MACR 4669
B-17 42-38008 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Louis F. Matichka | INT | - |
| CP | 2LT | Willis S. Nelson | INT | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Walter D. Morris | INT | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | William D. Stevens | INT | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Robert B. Goodwin | INT | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Robert T. Morris | INT | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Warren H. Johnson | INT | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Forest B. Buford | INT | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John F. Watt | INT | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Jesse P. Watts, Jr. | INT | - |
This page was last updated on 27 March 2026
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