B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-102561

History of
B-17 42-102561

Delivered Cheyenne 14/3/44; Gr Island 2/4/44; Dow Fd 21/4/44; slated 385BG, Assigned 337BS/96BG [AW-D] Snetterton 22/4/44; Missing in Action Karlsruhe 27/5/44 with Chas Irving, Bombardier: John Flanyak, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Paul Zalaker, Radio Operator: Jim Campbell, Waist gunner: Paul Nadeau,Tail gunner: George McCully (6 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Lou Pastore, Navigator: Ed Montgomery, Ball turret gunner: John Borneo, Waist gunner: Walt Froehlich (4 Prisoner of War); mid-air coll with 42-102475 (96BG), snapped in half; crashed Woessingen, nine miles E of Karlsruhe, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 5164.

Last updated: 13. June 2021

B-17 42-102561 Details

Mid-air-collision with B-17 #42-102475 on 27 May 1944.

Remarks to the incident

In target area just before bombs away, at around 1308, A/C 457, flying #2 Low and A/C 561, a spare who filled in at #6 Low collided. A/C 475 was reported to have broken in half at the ball turret. The bombs came out of the bomb bay and two dinghies were thrown out. The wing came off A/C 561. One chute was reported seen. The A/C appeared to be have been to close for sometime.

Source: MACR 5164

B-17 42-102561 Crew