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Source:
www.306bg.us
Production-block:
B-17F-10-BO: 41-24440 to 41-24489
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 306th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 368th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 15534 / KSU/ME/KU: 122/43
History of
B-17 41-24465 / Montana Power
Assigned 368BS/306BG [BO- ] Westover 17/8/42; Thurleigh 16/10/42; Missing in Action to the ERLA works in Antwerp 5 April 1943 with Pilot Robert W. Seelos (POW). Co-pilot: Alexander Kramarinko (Evaded – POW); Navigator: William W. Saunders (POW); Ball turret gunner: William H. Keskey (Evaded – POW); Left Waist gunner: William E. Baker (Evaded – POW); Right Waist gunner: Raymond E. Walls (Evaded); Tail gunner: Roland Magee (POW); Bombardier: James E. Murray (KIA); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Stanley P. Stemkoski (KIA); Radio Operator: Fred R. Hampton (KIA). Hit by Flak and shot down by Oblt Otto Stammberger (4/JG26), lost #1 engine and unable to feather, crashed in the Heikant hamlet, 4km South West of Kalmthout, North of Antwerp, Belgium. Missing Air Crew Report 15534. MONTANA POWER.
Last updated: 5. April 2021
B-17 41-24465 / Montana Power Details
The plane was seen to turn back toward enemy territory near Westkapelle, on Walcheren Island, with two engines smoking. No parachutes were reported and no search was made. Sgt. Keskey is reported by Sgt. Walls to have bailed safely.
Commentary Report of (German) Commander
On 05 April 1943 at 1524 hours went of the alarm in Antwerpen. The flak noticed a formation which was in a distance of 20km.
Witness report and report of battery personnel agree, that they saw one aircraft on fire and that the aircraft lost altitude. It became detached from the formation. The witness saw the aircraft turn to direction of Capellen and crash. 3 men of the crew bail out. The aircraft crashed north northeast of Capellen near Capellen meadow.
Source: MACR 15534
B-17 41-24465 / Montana Power Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | --- | Robert W. Seelos | POW | - |
| CP | --- | Alexander Kramarinko | EVD/POW | - |
| NAV | --- | William W. Saunders | POW | - |
| BOMB | --- | James E. Murray | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | --- | Stanley P. Stemkoski | KIA | - |
| RO | --- | Fred R. Hampton | KIA | - |
| BT | --- | William H. Keskey | EVD/POW | - |
| WG | --- | William E. Baker | EVD/POW | - |
| WG | --- | Raymond E. Walls | EVD | - |
| TG | --- | Roland Magee | POW | - |
06. April 2021 access_time 15:35
Wpnder where the “Montana Power” got its name …
19. April 2022 access_time 21:10
For All I Know, the name “Montana Power” comes from the state the captain of the aircraft was from.
07. March 2023 access_time 6:29
Robert W. Seelos was my grandfather. He was born in Montana.
10. July 2024 access_time 0:20
My uncle was Fred Hampton radio operator aboard the Montana Power. He was Kia on April 5, 1943. I have a handwritten letter from Pilot Seelos’s mother to my grandmother. These men were incredible!
15. December 2021 access_time 23:11
My Wifes Uncle was Sgt.Roland Magee. Tailgunner on Montana Power. We recently discovered a Stalag Luft Library book he obtained while a POW. He bought the book home with him. The books first pages are filled with signatures of fellow POW Airmen. Many wrote notes to home, their home addresses and information concerning where and when they were shot down. There are dozens and dozens of signatures. Also three color pencil drawings done by a POW in the book.An amazing piece of history that was forgotten for decades. Sgt. Magee sadly died soon after his repatriation to the US in a motorcycle accident. We are not sure what to do with the book.(?)
13. February 2024 access_time 3:57
Alexander Kramarinko was my grandfather
27. August 2024 access_time 3:15
James E Murray, Bombardier, was my great uncle. My wife and I visited his grave in
Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium in 2000. The Belgium caretaker at the American cemetery were amazing and treated us like family. Back in 2000 we only knew he was shot down over France/Belgium and had very little details to go on. We stopped at an American cemetery in France and they helped us track him down. We were only 3 hours aways but it was already 3pm in the afternoon. They called
Ardennes American Cemetery and they told us to come and they would stay open and wait on us. When we arrived we were met at the locked gate, escorted into a private room where they presented us with the next of kin package. They then took us to the gravesite and asked us to please take our time. It was all very amazing and emotional. We cannot ever forget what these men did for us!