Production-block:
B-17G-55-DL: 44-6501 to 44-6625
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 2nd Bomb Group
- 301st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 20th Bomb Squadron
- 32nd Bomb Squadron
MACR: 12366
History of
B-17 44-6546
Delivered Hunter 4/9/44; Grenier 21/9/44; Assigned 20BS/2BG Amendola 3/10/44; transferred 32BS/301BG Lucera 29/10/44; Missing in Action Vienna 12/2/45 with Merrill Barnes, Co-pilot: Ward, Navigator: Edelen, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harper, Radio Operator: Whitcombe, Ball turret gunner: Olis, Waist gunner: Thomas,Tail gunner: Elmer (8 Prisoner of War); Bombardier: Bowman, Waist gunner: Losh (2 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Tapolza; Missing Air Crew Report 12366.
Last updated: 15. April 2020
B-17 44-6546 Details
From MACR 12366
I was flying Ball turret on A/C 44-6357 in the 21 position and saw 546 just after it started to peel out of formation and it was going into a spin. The outer leading edge of the left wing crumpled and caught fire and the plane continued down in a flat spin. I saw one chute open and just at 546 went into the clouds I thought another one opened, but I am not positive. Through breaks in the clouds, I saw the plane still in a spin. Through another opening I saw the plane hit the ground and black smoke rising up, but clouds immediately obscured my vision. I don’t think the men had a chance of survival unless some more chutes came out below the clouds.
S/Sgt. William C. Kilby
I was flying left waist gunner in A/C 44-6403 in 23 position. About ten minutes after the target, A/C 44-6546 seemed to have been hit hard in the left wing and gas could be seen leaking very badly. 546 started pulling out of the formation and the left wing started to roll up from the tip. The plane started into a slow roll and fire broke out. Two chutes were seen to open and possibly a third. The plane then went into the layer of clouds at about 10000 and that was the last I could observe. I doubt that the rest of the crew had much of a chance to get out of the plane unless they came out under the undercast.
S/Sgt. Richard A. Stumbaugh
B-17 44-6546 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Merrill E. Barnes | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Lawrence A. Ward | POW | - |
| NAV | F/O | Robert Elmer Edelen | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Dale H. Harper | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | David W. Whitcombe | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Edward S. Olie | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Athanasius P. Thomas | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Sanford E. Losh | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Gael W. Elmer | POW | - |
| TOG | S/SGT | Deveroux W. Bowman | KIA | - |
12. May 2020 access_time 6:00
My Uncle was Staff Sgt Sanford E Losh. I am now into collecting B-17 Diecasts and want to build models, etc.
I am wondering if there are any photos in existence of the 44-6546. I would lover to have them for display and for help with modeling.
I also just received a WWII era Bomber Jacket and got a 32nd Bomb Group Patch, a 15th Air Force patch (plan to wear it as a tribute to him and the rest of the 44-6546 crew and other B-17 crews) but was unable to find a patch for the 301st Bomb Group. Wondering if anyone has any sources for those.
10. January 2023 access_time 5:01
My father was the pilot of 6546. Have you seen the MACR’s. I spoke with the tail gunner who went down with the plane (and obviously survived) who witnessed the efforts to get Sanford out of the plane. It was chaos.
06. November 2024 access_time 19:05
Good day! I am Tibor Imre Szekér, a military and local history researcher. For several years I have been researching the B-17 G heavy bomber, registration number 44-6546, and its crew, and the circumstances of its failure on February 13, 1945. The plane crashed in Zalaszántó (Europa, Hungary, Zala County). Sergeant Right Center Gunner Sanford Erwin Losh † was temporarily buried there. We would like (me and the Zalai Local Patriot Association) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the extraordinary event at the site next year. This is just a plan! Could you possibly send a photo of the fort? Best regards, Tibor
10. November 2024 access_time 12:41
Good day! Hello! I am Tibor Szekér, a military history researcher. For several years I have been researching the B-17G heavy bomber registration number 44-6546 and its crew and the circumstances of the February 13, 1945 disaster. The plane crashed in Zalaszántó (Europe, Hungary, Zala county). It was here that First Lieutenant Merrill Eldon Barnes, pilot, and the rest of the aircrew, except Sergeants Sanford Erwin Losh and Deveroux Whiple Bowman †, were captured by the Germans. We would like (personally and the ZalaSzántói Lokálpatrioto Egyesület) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the extraordinary event and the American heroic dead at the site next year. This is just a plan for now! Unfortunately, we do not have a high-quality photo of the fort. Could you possibly send a good photo of it? Best regards, Tibor
06. November 2024 access_time 19:00
Good day! I am Tibor Imre Szekér, a military and local history researcher. For several years I have been researching the B-17 G heavy bomber, registration number 44-6546, and its crew, and the circumstances of its failure on February 13, 1945. The plane crashed in Zalaszántó (Europa, Hungary, Zala County). Sergeant Right Center Gunner Sanford Erwin Losh † was temporarily buried there. We would like (me and the Zalai Local Patriot Association) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the extraordinary event at the site next year. This is just a plan! Unfortunately, we do not have a high-quality photo of Sergeant Sanford Erwin Los, who died a heroic death. Could you possibly send a good photo of it? We only have the copy photo that appeared in the newspaper article. Best regards, Tibor
27. May 2023 access_time 14:32
My uncle, Sanford E. Losh, was killed in action, as listed above. I am his baby sister’s daughter. I have read every letter that he wrote to my grandparents and his siblings, and was so in love with that era that my grandmother gave me all of the letters and the certificate for his Purple Heart. I remember the stories so well, and when I grew up, I joined the Navy and served eight years active duty, and two years in the reserves. I have his training records and the letters he wrote about his promotions, and the good friends he made while serving. I would greatly appreciate any information about days leading up to the plane crash and his death. I do remember hearing that his strap that held him in was hard to detach and there were efforts made but ultimately he couldn’t get out. I pull out all of his letters on Memorial Day and remember his ultimate sacrifice.
06. November 2024 access_time 19:02
My uncle, Sanford E. Losh, was killed in action, as listed above. I am his baby sister’s daughter. I have read every letter that he wrote to my grandparents and his siblings, and was so in love with that era that my grandmother gave me all of the letters and the certificate for his Purple Heart. I remember the stories so well, and when I grew up, I joined the Navy and served eight years active duty, and two years in the reserves. I have his training records and the letters he wrote about his promotions, and the good friends he made while serving. I would greatly appreciate any information about days leading up to the plane crash and his death. I do remember hearing that his strap that held him in was hard to detach and there were efforts made but ultimately he couldn’t get out. I pull out all of his letters on Memorial Day and remember his ultimate sacrifice.
11. December 2024 access_time 2:46
I would love to connect with you to hear more about what you have. I learned about Sanford through attending the Losh/Worley Reunions in Willow Springs, Missouri
16. December 2024 access_time 17:21
Hungary, Zala County). I have also contacted and am communicating with Larry and Kris Elmer, relatives of S/Sgt. Gael Winfield Elmer, tail gunner, and Dan Barnes, son of pilot 1st Lieutenant Merrill Eldon Barnes. They have indicated their intention to participate in the event. We dedicate the event primarily to the memory of the two heroic dead pilots, S/Sgt. Deveraux Whipple Bowman and Sanford Erwin Losh. (We would also like to request a photo of Sanford E. Losh.) We definitely count on your and the other family’s participation! I would like to ask for a positive or negative feedback on this. You can reach me on messenger under the name Szekér Pini Tibor and at the e-mail address szantoszit@gmail.com. Best regards, Szekér Imre Tibor Military and local history researcher
06. November 2024 access_time 19:18
Good day! I am Tibor Imre Szekér, a military and local history researcher. For several years I have been researching the B-17 G heavy bomber, registration number 44-6546, and its crew, and the circumstances of its failure on February 13, 1945. The plane crashed in Zalaszántó (Europa, Hungary, Zala County). Sergeant Right Center Gunner Sanford Erwin Losh † was temporarily buried there. We would like (me and the Zalai Local Patriot Association) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the extraordinary event at the site next year. This is just a plan! Could you possibly send a photo of the fort? Best regards, Tibor
11. December 2024 access_time 2:56
I do not have any photos. I am, however interested in knowing if there are possibly any pics or video of the plane taken anytime prior to its destruction on that mission
16. December 2024 access_time 17:24
Hello! With the involvement of the ZalaSzántói Local Patriotic Association (me as president) and historian László Hangodi, we plan to hold an exhibition, memorial service and monument installation under the title “Tribute to the Heroes” on Saturday, July 19, 2025 (between 9:30-12:00) in the village of Zalaszántó (Europe, Hungary, Zala County). I have also contacted and am communicating with Larry and Kris Elmer, relatives of S/Sgt. Gael Winfield Elmer, tail gunner, and Dan Barnes, son of pilot 1st Lieutenant Merrill Eldon Barnes. They have indicated their intention to participate in the event. We dedicate the event primarily to the memory of the two heroic dead pilots, S/Sgt. Deveraux Whipple Bowman and Sanford Erwin Losh. We definitely expect your and the other family’s participation! I would like to ask for a positive or negative feedback on this. You can reach me on messenger under the name Szekér Pini Tibor and at the email address szantoszit@gmail.com. If I find a photo or video, I will share it. Best regards, Szekér Imre Tibor, military and local history researcher
11. December 2024 access_time 3:03
And what markings it had on the fuselage including any nose art and what the tail markings were
16. December 2024 access_time 17:36
The 301st Bombardment Group was a highly decorated group of B-17 Flying Fortresses that served in Italy from December 1943. The (H) designation stands for (Heavy Bombardment), meaning B-17s, Flying Fortresses. The 301st Bombardment Group ended the war in Europe attached to the 15th Air Force. The 301st Bombardment Group consisted of 4 bomb squadrons. The 32nd, 352nd, 353rd, and 419th Squadrons. They were with the 32nd Bombardment Squadron on the fateful day. [There is some confusion in the squadron designations. Incorrectly, the squadron marking of the 32nd Squadron is A / 1, according to surviving drawings, the B / 4 squadron marking was immortalized on the bomber, which consists of the markings of the 352nd (B / 2) and the 419th (D / 4) squadrons.] In the 301st Bomber Group, the tail marking is a Y in an empty square frame with the serial number 44-6546 below it and a 4 below it.