B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 41-24453 / Mizpah – The Bearded Lady aka The Bearded Beauty

History of
B-17 41-24453 / Mizpah – The Bearded Lady aka The Bearded Beauty

Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-O] Bangor 29/8/42; Bassingbourn 29/9/42; in taxi accident with John Hardin 18/11/42 at RNAS Yeovilton; MIZPAH – THE BEARDED LADY aka THE BEARDED BEAUTY. Missing in Action 28m Schweinfurt 17/8/43 with Everett Kenner, Co-pilot: George Bryan decapitated, Navigator: Rich Martin chute failed to open, Waist gunner: Gardner Moore,Tail gunner: Bill Hagin (5 Killed in Action). Bombardier: Herb Egender, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Glen Chase, Radio Operator: George Vender, Ball turret gunner: John O’Toole, Waist gunner: Jim Bowcock (5 Prisoner of War); Hit by enemy aircraft, along top of fuselage and KO’d #2 engine, dropped out and crashed Mayen, 15 miles W of Coblenz, Germany. See Missing Air Crew Report 275.

Last updated: 10. March 2020

B-17 41-24453 / Mizpah – The Bearded Lady aka The Bearded Beauty Details

Witness report from MACR 275

Observation made by Lt. Everett B. LeRoy, Jr., O-409503 at 1447 from 21000 feet.

A/C 453 had been hit by E/A which poured many bursts into top of fuselage and cockpit #2 engine was also hit and A/C was last seen at 15000 feet in vicinity of 49° 55′ N – 09° 00′ E. under control diving at an estimate rate of 1000 feet per minute on a heading of 360° Mag. No parachutes were seen to come from this ship.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia for bombardier Herbert Franklin Egender in Museum at Polson, Montana, U.S.A.

Courtesey of Gil Mangels

Courtesey of Gil Mangels