B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-31553 / Myer’s Flaw

History of
B-17 42-31553 / Myer’s Flaw

Delivered Denver 21/11/43; Kearney 16/12/43; Oklahoma City 24/12/43; New Castle 8/1/44; Presque Is 9/1/44; Assigned 534BS/381BG [GD-B] Ridgewell 19/2/44; Missing in Action 4m Berlin 6/3/44 with Ed Haushalter (chute failed, found in street), Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry Lee, Radio Operator: Rich Nisbet, Ball turret gunner: Ed Creevy (Rayburn Crewmember), Waist gunner: Everett Langston (5 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Herman Hensley, Navigator: Rich Schuit, Bombardier: John Herrick, Waist gunner: Ralph Alfaro, Tail gunner: Eldon Jones (5 Prisoner of War); Attacked by enemy aircraft, ‘Myer’s Flaw’ crashed Wernsdorf/Niederlehme, six miles SW of Erkner, Germany; Missing Air Crew Report 3241. MYER’S FLAW.

Last updated: 29. May 2020

B-17 42-31553 / Myer’s Flaw Details

Following is a statement made by 2nd Lt. Robert W. Rayburn, 534th Bombardment Squadron (H), concerning Aircraft No. 42-31553.

Aircraft No. 42-31553 was flying no. 3 position, second element of the high composite. After an attack from 11:00 high, aircraft was hit in no. 3 engine and flame was seen on the right hand side of the cockpit. It pulled away from the squadron and gained about 500 feet in altitude then started a slow spiral down. Our tail gunner reported that he saw seven men bailed out before the plane had reached a low overcast and that the plane was evidently still in control. The objective of the Mission was Erkner, Germany.

Robert W. Rayburn
2nd Lt., Air Corps

Aircraft assigned to 381st Bombardment Group, 534th Squadron, was attacked by single engine fighters head on and attacked from the left side by twin engine fighters while on bombing run over Berlin. Enemy fire struck our hydraulic system and oxygen tanks, causing our B-17 aircraft to be enveloped in flames. The plane went out of control at approximately 22000 feet and the pilot gave orders to bail out.

Herman M. Hensley
1st Lt, Co-Pilot

B-17 42-31553 / Myer’s Flaw Crew