B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-6877

History of
B-17 44-6877

Delivered Lincoln 9/12/44; Grenier 22/12/44; Assigned 840BS/483BG Sterparone 23/1/45; Missing in Action Fortezza 20/4/45 with Clarry Keen, Kirkland, Mackey, Kosinski, Moore, Hajjar, Dobbie, Zimpfer (8 Prisoner of War); Wilson, Glynn (2 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Maris Eland; Missing Air Crew Report 13819.

Last updated: 19. June 2021

B-17 44-6877 Details

Eyewitness statements to the loss of B-17G 44-6877

The undersigned was flying airplane number 42-31651 on the right wing of Airplane number 44-6877 on 20 April 1945. Airplane number 44-6877 was flying the number four position in the 840th Squadron box.

About one and one half hours after leaving the departure point Ship 877 began to drag behind tho lead element, and was heard calling airplane 143, asking that 143 take the number four position and let Ship 877 fly number seven position. The undersigned did not hear any reason given. Approximately one half hour later the undersigned heard Ship 877 call the formation leader and ask for fighter escort, saying that two engines had failed end that he weS returning to the base.

The undersigned did not at any time 800 one or more feathered engines on ship 877, or any other indication of trouble except an obvious inability to keep up with the formation, and did not see the airplane after it dropped out of its place in the formation.

Capt. Joe L. Rutan

On 20 April 1945 I was flying on Lt. Keen’s wing. About an hour before he turned back he had dropped out of number four (4) position. This was taken by Lt Kyker in airplane 143 and Lt Keen in airplane 877 tried to hold number seven (7) position. He was having difficulty doing this, when he dropped out he reported that he had lost two (2) engines and was turning back. My crew reported that his ship appeared to be under control.

2Lt. Richard D. Deslauriers

Approximately half to three quarters of an hour before turning on Initial Point Airplane #44-6877 was trailing behind and slightly below. It kept dropping back further to approximately two miles or more, at a much lower altitude, The distance was to great to see how many engines were out. After dropping back Airplane #44-6877 banked to the right and headed back about five o’clock from our box. Airplane #44-6877 kept loosing altitude until he was out of my sight.

S/Sgt. Herman A. Wilson
Tail Gunner Ship 497

B-17 44-6877 Crew