Production-block:
B-17G-35-DL: 42-106984 to 42-107233
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 94th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 331st Bomb Squadron
- RCL: QE-V
MACR: 8075
History of
B-17 42-107185
Delivered Tulsa 16/3/44; Kearney 29/3/44; Dow Fd 4/4/44; Assigned 331BS/94BG [QE-V] Rougham 8/4/44; Missing in Action Berlin 6/8/44 with Orville Spenst, Co-pilot: Larry Metzroth, Navigator: Ed Pacek, Bombardier: Ira Dodd, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Brown, Radio Operator: Forest Crosman, Ball turret gunner: Jim Theiss, Waist gunner: Bob Hurd (8POW-rescued by German Sea patrol);Tail gunner: Frank Trilling (KIA-drowned); flak damage and three engines out, ditched North Sea, off Frisian Islands. Missing Air Crew Report 8075.
Last updated: 18. April 2025
B-17 42-107185 Details
Witness statement from MACR 8075
This aircraft was hit by flak in the target area. Left formation in vicinity of target and continued to follow formation until about 31 miles on cource after departing the enemy coast. At approximately 54°14’N – 07°25’E at 1352 hours the aircraft was seen to ditch. Observations just prior to ditching indicated that threee (3) engines were out. As this aircraft had lagged behind the formation from the target area out, it was too far behind to accurately observe wheter ditching was carried out safely. No other observations werre made and no further information as to the whereabouts of the crew are known.
B-17 42-107185 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Orville A. Spenst | POW | - |
| CP | 1LT | Lawrence F. Metzroth | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Edward L. Pacek | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Ira C. Dodd, Jr. | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Charles H. Brown | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Forest E. Crossman, Jr, | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | James E. Theiss | POW | - |
| WG | T/SGT | Robert D. Hurd | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Frank H Tilling | KIA | - |
11. April 2025 access_time 0:38
The location, 45°14’N 7°25’E, is near Turin, Italy, and not in the North Sea. Is there an accurate one available.
I have adopted Frank Trilling’s name on the Wall of the Missing at the Margraten war cemetery, and am keen to learn more about him.
18. April 2025 access_time 8:39
Thank you for the note. I have checked the MACR files and there is a typo to the coordinates. The correct coordinates are 54°14’N 7°25’E. Which ist approx. 31 km, west-north-west of Helgoland Island in the North Sea.