B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-107045

History of
B-17 42-107045

Delivered Tulsa 6/2/44; Grenier 28/2/44; Assigned: 550BS/385BG [SG-D] Gt Ashfield 3/3/44; MIA Berlin 29/4/44 Pilot: Len Sexton, Co-Pilot: Gene Koury, Navigator: Bob Pelletier, Bombardier: Sterling Rogers, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Earl Osborne, Radio Operator: Oral Moore, Ball Turret Gunner: Tom Fairchild, Waist Gunner: Henry Dunning, Waist Gunner: Bob Masten, Tail Gunner: John Frangadakis (10POW); Enemy aircraft, crashed Schleibnitz, seven miles NW of Magdeburg, Germany. MACR 4460.

Last updated: 5. December 2020

B-17 42-107045 Details

Only one returning crew reported seeing this aircraft and the reporter is not certain of the few fact he was able to give on the loss of this aircraft. Aircraft 42-107045 was hit in the right wing, by a 20mm shell from an enemy aircraft. The ship immediately left the formation and was last seen going down through the overcast, out of control, in the vicinity of Magdeburg, Germany. No chutes were seen to leave this aircraft. Due to the rapidity and continuity of the attacks from enemy aircraft in this area, details concerning the loss of this aircraft and other aircraft lost by this group on this date, are very few.

B-17 42-107045 Crew