B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-38403

History of
B-17 43-38403

Delivered Cheyenne 29/7/44; Kearney 9/8/44; Grenier 16/8/44; Assigned 4BS/34BG Mendlesham 23/8/44; in base landing accident with Herbert Vick 24/12/44; battle damaged Berlin 26/2/45 with Floyd Peede, Co-pilot: Tom Easterling, Navigator: Fred Edelstein, tog-Larry Pratz, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Nerrie, Radio Operator: Bob Brown, Ball turret gunner: Ken Chezem, Waist gunner: Bob Harrison,Tail gunner: Theo Spracklen (9 Returned to Duty); crash landed Lodz, Poland; Salvaged 1/3/45. Missing Air Crew Report 12768.

Last updated: 12. October 2020

B-17 43-38403 Details

Eyewitness Statement

At 1224 hours this A/C, No. 403, was observed to have its wheels down and under control. A fighter pilot reported sighting an aircraft which he believed was from this group headed for Poland at 10000, under control. The fighter pilot reported that the letter “2” was apparent on the tail which leads to the belief that the A/C he reported belonged to this group. This marking was born by the missing A/C. Fighter pilot reported that the A/C fired two green flares. A/C was last seen at 1225 hours.

B-17 43-38403 Crew