B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-29486

History of
B-17 42-29486

Delivered Cheyenne 22/12/42; Salina 5/1/43; Morrison 3/2/32; Assigned 348BS/99BG Navarin 2/3/43; Missing in Action Gerbini 5/7/43 with Martin Devane, Freeburg, Lavine, Harold, Sitkin (5 Killed in Action); Drueding, Craton, Curley, Penoyer {Wounded in Action} 5POW. Missing Air Crew Report 988 & 1133.

Last updated: 21. August 2021

B-17 42-29486 Details

Eyewitness account of missing Aircraft No. 42-29486.

I was acting as tail gunner on Airplane No. 42-5482, on bombing mission to Gerbini A/D, Sicily. Our plane was in the left wing position in the lead element of the 348th Squadron.

We were nearing tho target area around 1130 when the group formation was jumped by approximately 100 enemy fighters. Airplane No. 42-29492 was hit heavily by enemy fire and soon was flaming badly. This plane was in the left wing position of our second element. The whole second element remained intact for another five minutes when suddenly Airplane No. 42-29486 exploded violently in mid-air. There was nothing left of it; pieces flying everywhere.

That element then broke up completely, 492 went down and crashed, and the lead plane 42-29483 dropped down and back rapidly, clone, many enemy pursuit coming in from all angles.

S/Sgt. Rex G. Youngblood
99th BG; 348th BS

Source: MACR 1133

B-17 42-29486 Crew