B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-29656 / The Terrible Ten aka Skunkface

History of
B-17 42-29656 / The Terrible Ten aka Skunkface

Delivered Denver 2/2/43; Salina 9/2/43; Assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-F] Molesworth 21/3/43 “THE TERRIBLE TEN”; transferred 322BS/91BG [LG-S] Bassingbourn 5/7/43 “SKUNKFACE”. Missing in Action on its 19th mission, to Aschersleben, Germany on 20 February 1944. Pilot Ernest B. Kidd; Co-pilot: Benjamin G. Beauclair; Bombardier: Charles M. Betzel (initially evaded then captured); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ober L. Torvik; Radio Operator: Theodore J. Mazor; Left Waist gunner: Billie L. Ramsey; Right Waist gunner: Ernest B. Serna; Tail gunner: Francis A. Hentges (8 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Billy H. Huish (initially evaded, but caught 22 April 1944 by Gestapo and shot, along with some aircrew from other units; Ball turret gunner: Rex Wertman (2 Killed in Action). Enemy aircraft shot out two engines. Crashed near Lens railway station, seven miles NW of Mons, Belgium. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 2460.

Last updated: 12. June 2022

B-17 42-29656 / The Terrible Ten aka Skunkface Details

Remarks to the loss of B-17

Aircraft B-17F, 42-29656, was hit by fire from enemy aircraft and was last seen going down under control at 5,000 feet with No. 3 engine smoking heavily. One (1) parachute was observed to come from this aircraft.

Source: MACR 2460

B-17 42-29656 / The Terrible Ten aka Skunkface Crew