B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-30347 / Miss Ponnie

History of
B-17 42-30347 / Miss Ponnie

Delivered Cheyenne 19/5/43; Gore 20/5/43; Smoky Hill 30/5/43; Morrison 9/6/43; Assigned 419BS/301BG St Donat 3/7/43; Oudna 6/8/43; Cerignola 7/12/43; Lucera 1/2/44; Missing in Action {98m} Wollersdorf 29/5/44 with Tom Phillips, Co-pilot: George Gaudaen, Navigator: Chas Hahn, Bombardier: Rex McElmurry, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Helf, Radio Operator: Bob Zimmerman, Ball turret gunner: Dan Behre, Waist gunner: Warren Haskin, Waist gunner: Bill Ogle,Tail gunner: Chas Seall (10 Prisoner of War); mech problem, crashed Vebelbach; Missing Air Crew Report 5445.

Last updated: 9. August 2020

B-17 42-30347 / Miss Ponnie Details

Statements of Witnesses from MACR 5445

On the mission of 29 May 1944, I was flying 2-4 position in #4 squadron. A/C #42-30347 was flying 2-3 position of the same squadron. Just before reaching the target I noticed that flames suddenly appeared from #1 engine and supercharger. The pilot then turned off and left the formation, but when last seen, the plane seemed to be under control. The altitude was 20000 feet and the exact coordinates at which the plane was last seen are 47°50’N – 15°00’E.

The time was 0925. In my opinion the pilot of the missing plane has every chance to acomplish a successful force landing if such became necessary. Due to the fact that the plane when last seen appeared in perfect control, I believe that the crew memebers had a very good chance of survival.

2Lt. Theodore R. Small
Pilot, B-17 #42-5944

Plane #42-30347 was flying 2-3 position in the same squadron in which we were flying 2-4 position. I saw his #1 engine catch fire and he fell back a little from the formation. A few minutes later the aircraft left the formation and headed back for the base, the engine still afire, but with the propeller unfeathered. I watched it until it was out of sight and it appeared to be in perfect control for as long as it was in my vision.

Sgt. Rodney A. paulson
Tail Gunner, B-17 #42-5944

B-17 42-30347 / Miss Ponnie Crew