| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-60-BO: 42-102744 to 42-102978 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 301st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 352nd Bomb Squadron |
| MACR: | 7143 |
| German Document: | ME-1733 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (26 July 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-102929
Delivered Cheyenne 19/4/44; Hunter 27/4/44; Grenier 15/5/44; Assigned 352BS/301BG Lucera 26/5/44; Missing in Action Wiener Neudorf 26/7/44 with Ernie Howell, Campbell, Dawson, Woodson, West, Vodicka, Bauman, Mears (8 Killed in Action); Hammond, La Rosa (2 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Wiener Neustadt; Missing Air Crew Report 7143.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-102929 Details
After fighters attacked us and just before we got to target the ball turret gunner reported he saw Plane No. 0385 with right wing on fire go up into a stall and out of control then come down directly at Plane No. 2929. The gunner did not report actually seeing planes crash for we just headed into a cloud, however there was an explosion where the planes are believed to have crashed in mid-air. When Aircraft No. 2929 and No. 0385 were last reported seen they were 48°03’N-16°11’E at 11:18 hours, 26 July 1944. No chutes were reported seen. Weather at the time was 5/10 clouds.
2Lt. Walter E. Rufush
Navigator
I saw fighters coming in high about level with us. The fighters split up into four Squadrons. After that I looked at the tail end of the next Squadron (419th). About four planes from that Squadron were being attack by fighters. They peeled off and went down. Saw no chutes from these planes. Someone called out a fighter coming up low from 7 o’clock. Four more fighters came at 2929 in 21 position and 0385 flying 22. Left wing on Aircraft 0385 was all on fire and pulled up in a stall and came down which appeared to be directly on Aircraft No. 2929. As far as I could see No. 2929 went down among Aircraft No. 0385 and the fighters. Believe Aircraft 0385 hit aircraft No. 2929 because there was an explosion as we were going into a cloud. Last I saw they were both in one pop of smoke. Saw no chutes. Location at this time was 48°03’N-16°11’E. The time of the day was 11:18. Weather at the time was 5/10 clouds.
S/Sgt. Miles Morris
Tail Gunner
Ship 2929 was flying straight and level when Ship No. 0385 hit it in the side with its left wing. It looked as though 0385 was about out of control and 2929 was trying to avoid it when my ship went into a cloud. I felt a concussion from an explosion. Some of my crew members say they felt it too. Saw no chutes. Time of the day 11:18 hours, 26 July 1944. Coordinates 48°03’N-16°11’E Weather at the time was 5/10 clouds.
S/Sgt. John K. Dolski
Tail Gunner
Source: MACR 7143
B-17 42-102929 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Ernest F. Howell, Jr. | KIA | - |
| CP | 1LT | Howard L. Woodson | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | William A. Dawson | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | William D. Campbell | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Jerome H. West | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | John A. La Rosa | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Leonard R. Vodicka | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Wayne W. Hammond | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Frank B. Mears | KIA | - |
| PHOTO | SGT | John W. Bauman | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 07 May 2026
Help preserve the archive: I invest a lot of time into these research results. If my work helps you, I would appreciate a small tip!
Write comment