B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-29607 / Stormy Weather

History of
B-17 42-29607 / Stormy Weather

Delivered Cheyenne 17/1/43; Salina 28/1/43; Kearney 4/2/43; Morrison 8/3/43; Assigned 20BS/2BG Navarin, Alg 19/3/43; Chateau-du-Rhumel, Alg 27/4/43; Ain M’Lila, Alg 17/6/43; Missing in Action {27m} Catania 4/7/43 with Walter Laich, Co-pilot: Chester Yeager, Navigator: Sam Jacobson, Bombardier: Chas Leightey, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Carlton Grissom, Radio Operator: Frank Crawford, Ball turret gunner: Gene Schojan, Waist gunner: Alex Morrison, Waist gunner: Harry Massey,Tail gunner: Jack Stacy (10 Killed in Action); hit by bomb from above aircraft and exploded; six chutes seen. Missing Air Crew Report 78. STORMY WEATHER.

Last updated: 22. August 2020

B-17 42-29607 / Stormy Weather Details

Sgt. Glen E. Morrison, Ball Turret Operator, of B-17F Number 29523, 20th Bombardment Squadron (H), flying the Forth Squadron, Second Element, Lead Ship.

I saw a blaze behind the number three (3) engine on plane Number 229607 near the fuselage and trailing edge of the right wing, this was after Plane #607 had left it’s formation position and had come up on my left and slightly below my plane. Plane #607 followed in this position for about five (5) minutes.

I noticed five (5) men jump from the waist door and four parachutes open very soon, the fifth parachute I saw open after a long delay. After the men bailed out, the plane nosed from a gliding position to a sharp descent. Near the water and crashed, the plane broke into pieces. I think it broke apart at about the Ball Turret.

Sgt. Glen E. Morrison

Second Lieutenant James I. Mackenzie, Bombardier of B-17F, No. 42-29523, 20th Bombardmend Squadron (H), flying in the Forth Squadron, Second Element, Lead Ship.

I first noticed Plane Number 229607 was on fire after it had left formation and had taken up a position to my left and slightly below me. My altitude was about 18000 feet. Fire was coming from behind Number 3 engine near the fuselage and trailing edge of right wing. I could see the pilot, co-pilot, Top turret gunner, and both waist gunners were in position. The top turret gunner kept working the Turret until I lost sight of Plane #607, I saw five (5) or six (6) men jump from the plane’s waist door. Two men hit the horizontal stabilizer. The first man hitting the stabilizer got his parachute open. I did not see the other man’s parachute open as he appeared to be unconscious in his fall. I followed, by sight, Plane Number 607 for about five minutes, it started an angular diving glide then the nose dropped and about one half way to the water the plane broke into pieces near the radio room. I believe I saw five (5) men jump from the plane before it broke up, and I believe I saw 5 parachutes open.

2Lt. James I. Mackenzie

1Lt. M. V. Ashley, Jr., Navigator of Plane B-17F, No. 42-29523, 20th Bombardmend Squadron (H), flying in the Forth Squadron, Second Element, Lead Ship.

It was about 1115 hours and we were flying at approximately 18000 feet altitude when I noticed Plane No. 229607 which had changed position from its formation position to one to my left and the plane was on fire to the rear of the Number 3 engine near the trailing edge of the wing. Flames spread to the left wing an I saw two (2) men jump from the waist door. I saw only one parachute open as my view was cut off by my planes left wing.

1Lt. Malton V. Ashley, Jr.

1Lt. Philip K. Divine, Pilot of B-17F, No. 42-29523, 20th Bombardmend Squadron (H), flying in the Forth Squadron, Second Element, Lead Ship.

I was pilot of plane #523 on Bombing mission July 4th, 1943, at approximately 1115 hours and at approximately 18000 feet altitude. I was watching my course when I heard Lt. Bigham, co-pilot of 523 remark that plane 607 was in trouble and that it was on fire. I then saw plane 607 had changed from formation position to a position to my left and about paralell to plane 523 and a short distance below my plane. I saw fire and smoke coming out behind the #3 engine nacelle near the trailing edge of right wing. I saw the pilot of #607 start his #3 engine and attempt to extinguish the blaze by draft, which failed to put the fire out. I saw flames and smoke coming out of the radio hatch and compartment. I then saw three men jump from waist door of plane 607, but did not see any parachutes open as the wing of plane 523 cut off vision between my plane and plane 607.

1Lt. Philip K. Divine

Position in formation of 42-29607 / Stormy Weather

B-17 42-29607 / Stormy Weather Crew