B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-102557 / Ice Cold Katie

History of
B-17 42-102557 / Ice Cold Katie

Delivered Cheyenne 14/3/44; Gr Island 30/3/44; Grenier 6/4/44; Assigned 369BS/306BG [WW-Y] Thurleigh 25/4/44; battle damaged Ueskirchen, Ger 10/1/45 with Leo H. Reinhard; crash landed on a large field near Le Quesnoy, 4km to north-east, France; Salvaged 28/1/45. ICE COLD KATIE.

Last updated: 25. April 2024

B-17 42-102557 / Ice Cold Katie Details

Hit before target over Cologne about 11312 hours in #4 and #2 engine. Bombardier hit in leg at this time.

Couldn’t at that time feather. #4 ran away. Stayed in formation for about 3 minutes. #2 lost oil then feathered. Electric system out same time. Dropped bombs on leader.

Pretty close in formation. Then lagged behind and lost altitude. Decide to land in friendly territory because gas gauges were out and radio out, etc. Crash landed on a large field near Le Quesnoy, 4km to north-east.

Bombardier hit by flak in leg seriously and eye. Knocked off by impact. Navigator asked if he could help, but bombardier crawled back into seat and dropped on lead. Navigator then administered first aid.

Top Turret also had glass in eye. Bombardier moved to back for landing.

Crew highly pleased with landing – not much damage considering.

Source: Debriefing Report for 10 January 1945 mission

B-17 42-102557 / Ice Cold Katie Crew