B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-38971

History of
B-17 43-38971

Delivered Hunter 24/10/44; Dow Fd 9/11/44; Assigned 7BS/34BG Mendlesham 10/11/44; 18BS; Missing in Action Ahlhorn, Ger 23/3/45 with Myron Bolser, Co-pilot: Roger Maillard, Navigator: Homer Lancaster, tog-Jay Esholman, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Tom Jerris, Radio Operator: John Heckman, Ball turret gunner: Don Stamos, Waist gunner: Russell Frost, Tail gunner: Albert Pegg (9 Killed in Action); crash landed continent; Salvaged 23/3/45; Missing Air Crew Report 13598.

Last updated: 2. March 2018

B-17 43-38971 Details

Hit by flak and collided with B-17 #42-31582 / Ol’ Scrapiron of the 447th BG. Crashed Hamm, Germany.

From MACR 13617:

At 1347 hours, 27000 ft. altitude, the A/C flying No. 11 position of the 34th Group was hit by flak and peeled off to the left. After glancing off A/C of the 487th Group, No. 11 struck A/C #582 who went into a tight spin. The right wing folded and there was one explosion within the A/C in mid-air. #582 then hit the ground in a wooded area and exploded again. 2 chutes were observed. Coordinates were approximately 5040-0740. This report corroborated by 93rd Wing, 34th Bomb Group and 487th Bomb Group.

Related web sites about the B-17 43-38971

1. http://www.447bg.com/42-31582.htm
2. http://valortovictory.tripod.com/b17s/43-38971.htm