| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-35-DL: 42-106984 to 42-107233 |
| Delievered: | Tulsa |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 381st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 532nd Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | VE-V |
| MACR | 5994 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | KU-2254 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (19 June 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-107088
Delivered Tulsa 16/2/44; Kearney 24/2/44; Presque Is 4/3/44; Assigned 532BS/381BG [VE-V] Ridgewell 25/3/44; Missing in Action Bordeaux 19/6/44 with John Doyle, Co-pilot: Julian Prokopovitz, Navigator: Dick Richards, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gordon Wise, Radio Operator: Chas Harker, Ball turret gunner: Logan Thompson, Waist gunner: Bob Helman (7 Killed in Action); Bombardier: Bernie Leavitt,Tail gunner: Bob Matthews (2 Prisoner of War); flak dfirect in right wing, crashed Toctoucau-at-Pessac, two miles SW of Bordeaux, Fr; Missing Air Crew Report 5994.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-107088 Details
Eyewitness Report
On 19 June 1944, I was pilot in B-17G, #43-37536 flying #3 position in high squadron on an Operational Mission. Lt Doyle (#42-107088) was flying #5 position in Lead Squadron below and to my left.
At about 0912, at the target, Ship #42-107088 got a direct hit in the right wing which destroyed outer wing panel, causing aircraft to half-roll. At this time members of my crew observed that bombs had been released from shackles and were loose in bomb bay. At this point aircraft was lost sight of.
1Lt. Harris Sluyter
Pilot
Source: MACR 5994
B-17 42-107088 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | John B. Doyle | KIA | Dole, Jr? |
| CP | 2LT | Julian K. Prokopovitz | KIA | - |
| NAV | F/O | Richard H. Richards, Jr. | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Bernard S. Leavitt | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Gordon W. Wise | KIA | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Charles E. Harker | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Logan A. Thompson | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Robert J. Heilman | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Robert T. Matthews | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 08 March 2026
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