B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-106991

History of
B-17 42-106991

B-17 42-106991 Details

Eyewitness Statements

I flew as tail gunner in B-17G #32046 on the above date [18 May 1944]. Our formation turned back due to a heavy overcast when we were about an hour from the target. We were flying at approximately 12,000 feet on the return trip over Yugoslavia when we encountered flak which was very accurate. B-17G #106991, flying on the left wing of our plane which was leading E box, received a direct hit in the pilot’s compartment. The nose section and pilot’s compartment were blown completely off the plane. I did not see any parachutes come out as the plane went down.

S/Sgt. Charles O. Hayslett
Tail Gunner, B-17 #42-32046

On 18 May 1944 I was tail gunner on B-17G #32075 which flew in No. 2 position of E box. We turned back before reaching the target and were flying over Yugoslavia when we ran into flak. It was concentrated and very accurate. B-17G 106991, flying in No. 3 position, was hit by flak in the pilot’s compartment. The entire nose and pilot’s compartment was blown off the plane. The plane was on fire as it started spinning downward. I saw one (1) parachute open as the plane went down.

S/Sgt. Robert P. Kirk
Tail Gunner, B-17 #42-32075

I was pilot of B-17G 31996 on 18 May 1944, flying in No. 6 position in E box. At about 1100 hours returning across Yugoslavia at an altitude of about 15,000 feet descending, I saw B-17G 106991 hit by flak. I would say the hit was about under the top turret. The nose section was blown completely off, fire erupting at the break. With all four engines running, the main part of the plane flipped sharply into a steep spiral to the right. Emerging from break I saw objects falling away from the plane. It could have been a person or a piece of a turret, but fell too fast for me to be certain. I was close enough that I had to pull up to avoid collision.

2Lt. John W. Hammer
Pilot. B-17 #31996
[Possible: 42-106996]

Source: MACR 5066

B-17 42-106991 Crew