B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-29475 / Stric Nine

History of
B-17 42-29475 / Stric Nine

Delivered Denver 28/12/42; Salina 9/1/43; Homestead 14/2/43; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-R] Bassingbourn 7/3/43; 3+m Missing in Action Villacoublay 10/7/43; following heavy enemy aircraft attacks, ship exploded, crashed Channel, three miles off Carbourg, near Caen, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 34. STRIC NINE.

Last updated: 16. August 2020

B-17 42-29475 / Stric Nine Details

Reports from other crews

Observing crews report that they saw a trail of smoke and saw a B-17 explode and crash in water at the spot indicated on the attached chart. Saw fire and smoke when A/C hit water and explosion. Observation made from 17000 feet at 0832 hours, 3 miles of Cabourg, France.

Statement of Lt. John J. Bennett, Co-Pilot, 42-29475 / Stric Nine

The pilot, Lt. Forsblad gave the order to bail out when we left formation. At that time the alarm signals and intern communication was functioning. Lt. Cheshire had reported his gun was firing single rounds only and the rest of the crew was reporting enemy aircraft. The Bomb Bay doors were open and the bombs were jettisoned. At about 5000 feet Lt. Forsblad and myself made our way to the forward exit door and left the airplane. T/Sgt. Balzer was on his way to the Bomb Bay as we went to the front of the plane. A German told me that 5 or 6 parachutes were seen to leave the plane by someone watching the plane come down with field glasses.

Lt. John J. Bennett
Co-Pilot, 42-29475 / Stric Nine

B-17 42-29475 / Stric Nine Crew