| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-27-BO: 41-24585 to 41-24639 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 305th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 365th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | XK-P |
| MACR: | 15639 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft, Lost by flak/aa-fire (13 January 1943) |
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History of
B-17 41-24601
Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-P] Presque Is 19-Oct-42; Grafton Underwood 25-Oct-42; Missing in Action on 13-Jan-43 mission to bomb the Atclier D’Hellemes railroad factory at Lille, France. Took a direct hit by flak over the target and then was attacked and shot down by enemy aircraft of II/JG26, crashed near Pollinkhove, Belgium. 10KIA MACR 15639.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
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B-17 41-24601 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Conrad J. Hilbinger | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert M. Anderson | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | John J. Kelliher | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Arthur P. Halbrooks | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Vane H. Brown | KIA | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Joseph B. Anderson | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Hugh G. Erwin | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | John C. Parise | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Robert S. Dickson | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | James A. Boyette | KIA | - |
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This page was last updated on 31 May 2026
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17. February 2021 access_time 20:44
Anyone have any info on relatives who may have knowledge on arkie 41-24604 shot down 26 Feb 43. Darrell W Coats. TG
22. September 2021 access_time 16:37
My uncle was Pilot 1LT Conrad (Buddy) Hilbinger. B-17 named “Buckeye Blitz”. Looking for crew/B-17 photographs. I have much information regarding “Buckeye Blitz” including ground witnesses, reports, etc of 41-24601
27. May 2024 access_time 5:39
Hello, Robert.My dad was waste gunner on the Buckeye blitz.
serial no 41 24601 Based in Chelviston England. He was in the hospital from injuries received from flack on a previous mission. The plane went down while he was in the hospital. Staff sergeant R. Dickson was his Replacement my dad said.
31. October 2025 access_time 22:47
Looking for info B17 named Buckeye blitz tail number 41 – 24601.
31. October 2025 access_time 22:51
Looking for info B17 named Buckeye blitz tail number 41 – 24601 of the 305th Bomb Group
13. August 2026 access_time 22:31
For a long time, we have had a B-17 propeller blade together with the complete center hub in our collection here in Belgium. The blade was found in a field near our village during World War II, but for many years, no further history was known.
Today, thanks to the work of a local researcher, we have successfully traced the history of this particular propeller back to the B-17 “The Buckeye Blitz.” with 100% certitude.
I am therefore very pleased to share that a small but important piece of this aircraft’s history has survived and is still preserved today in the very village where the remains were found in 1943.
“The Buckeye Blitz” exploded at high altitude near the French border. Its engines, wings and tail section fell across the area between Houtem and De Moeren in Belgium. The fuselage came down several kilometres further away, near Pollinkhove, where a small memorial now stands at the crash site.
It is incredible to think that, more than 80 years later, part of this historic aircraft is still here — only a few kilometres from where it fell in 1943.
A remarkable piece of local and aviation history that has finally been reunited with its story. 🇺🇸✈️🇧🇪