| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-35-DL: 42-106984 to 42-107233 |
| Delievered: | Tulsa |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 2nd Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 96th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR | 6684 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (21 July 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-107101
Delivered Tulsa 21/2/44; Hunter 1/3/44; Homestead 6/3/44; Assigned 96BS/2BG Amendola 15/3/44; Missing in Action Brux 21/7/44 with Jim Wagner, Co-pilot: David Robins, Bombardier: Herbert Johnson, Navigator: Jim Shea, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Lutterbach, Radio Operator: John Wick, Ball turret gunner: Willis Mehl, Waist gunner: John Black,Tail gunner: Willard Long (9 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Nick Gross (Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, #3 engine on fire, three chutes seen, crashed Reindlmühl, Austria; Missing Air Crew Report 6684.
B-17 42-107101 Details
Statement of 1st Lt Robert E. Unger, navigator on B-17 no. 920 flying in formation of the 1st wave, third squadron, first element, number one position.
I last saw B-17 No. 101 at 1045 hours from an altitude of 21,000 feet at 48 deg 00 min N,, 13 deg 40 min E when it went into the clouds. The number three engine seemed to be on fire. The aircraft made a large sweeping curve to the right and lost altitude into the clouds.
Statement of 1st Lt V. F. Murray, pilot on B-17 No. 590 flying in formation of the first wave, first squadron, first element, number three position.
I saw B-17 No. 101 last at 1100 hours from 21,300 feet at 48 deg 51 min N, 12 deg 58 min E where he was losing altitude and trailing smoke. The B-17 made a steep diving 180 degree turn and passed out of my vision. B-17 No. 101 was still under control and appeared to be headed for a valley at about 13000/14000 feet.
T/Sgt. T. F. Sullivan, radio gunner, on B-17 No. 999, 49th Squadron which was flying in the first wave, third squadron, first element, second plane.
I saw fighters attack B-17 No. 101 and it received a hit in the richt wing and vegan losing gasoline. It then peeled oft to the left and headed back. That was the last I saw of headed back. No. 101 and it was flying along and seemed under control. This was at 1050 hours from 20,000 feet at 47 deg 50 min North 13 deg 35 min East. Did not see any chutes.
Sgt. H. J. Kidney, lower turret gunner on B-17 No. 920, 49th Squadron which was flying in the first wave, third squadron, first element, third plane.
I saw B-17 No. 101 after it was hit by fighters and it was having trouble. Then it went out of control and I lost sight of it as my attention was directed to attacking fighters. This was at 1045 hours from 18,000 feet. I saw three chutes leave the stricken aircraft.
Statement of Sgt. William Kelts, right waist gunner on B-17 No. 264 flying in the formation of the first wave, third squadron, second element, number three position.
I last saw B-17 No. 101 at 1045 hours from an altitude of 22,000 feet at 48 deg 00 min N, 13 deg 37 min E – at the time it was being attacked by enemy aircraft. B-17 No. 101 then went into the clouds. The number throe engine was smoking when I last saw it.
Source: MACR 6684
B-17 42-107101 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | James E. Wagner | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | David A. Robins | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | James J. Shea | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Herbert N. Johnson | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | James P. Lutterbach | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | John W. Wick | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Willis L. Mehl | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John B. Black, Jr. | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Nicholas R. Gross | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | William E. Long | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 27 September 2025
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