B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-30164

History of
B-17 42-30164

Delivered Cheyenne 21/4/43; Tinker 27/4/43; Memphis 30/4/43; Presque Is 5/5/43; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-E] Framlingham 12/5/43; 2m, Missing in Action Kiel 13/6/43 with Capt Harry Stirwalt, Co-pilot: Maj Alan Wilder, Navigator: Walter Thimm, Bombardier: Bob McNutt, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Walt Drotleff, Radio Operator: Bob Forest, Ball turret gunner: Chas Benson, Waist gunner: Angelo Triches, Waist gunner: Odes Boyd,Tail gunner: Lt Don Scavotto, mc-BrIg Gen Nathan B. Forrest (11 Killed in Action); Navigator: Willard Brown, obs-Lt Vince Gannon (2 Prisoner of War); flak hits & enemy aircraft KO’d #4, crashed Baltic Sea, off Kiel, Ger; MACRS 1371 and 8960.

Last updated: 29. February 2020

B-17 42-30164 Details

Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest III was in the aircraft at last flight and was killed in action.

From MACR 8960

B-17F 42-30164 piloted by Captain Harry A. Stirwalt, in which Brigadier General Nathan B. Forrest was flying as combat wing Commander was seen hit before reaching the target. It was reported as continuing over the target with #4 engine smoking, dropping its bombs and then was attacked from the nose by a formation of three fighters. The aircraft was seen to slow down, to have been hit by several explosive shells and to go down banking sharply to the right. It was reported to be under control and 8 chutes were seen to leave the ship.

B-17 42-30164 Crew

Related web sites about the B-17 42-30164

1. http://spurensuchesh.de/ostsee/
2. http://www.flensted.eu.com/19430061.shtml
3. http://www.airmen.dk/p187.htm