B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-30864

History of
B-17 42-30864

Delivered Cheyenne 11/8/43; Gore 13/8/43; Cheyenne 14/8/43; Gr Isle 31/8/43; Assigned 535BS/381BG [MS-T] Ridgewell 19/9/43; Missing in Action 2m Bremen 8/10/43 with Bill Cormany, Co-pilot: Maj Bill Ingenhutt, Navigator: Edwin Frost, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Earl Miller, Radio Operator: Bob Roeder, Ball turret gunner: Jim O’Hara, Waist gunner: Jim Dwyer, Waist gunner: Dick Smith,Tail gunner: Lt Bob Weniger (9 Prisoner of War), Bombardier: Bob Black (Killed in Action); flak KO’d #2, crashed Haupstedt, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 885.

Last updated: 24. April 2021

B-17 42-30864 Details

Eyewitness Statements

42-30664 was last seen at 1510 after turning off target. Number 4 engine was feathered over target but he continued on course. I last saw him after turning off target as he was going down with Number 2 Engine on fire. We continued to pass him.

2Lt. Edison Eichhorn

42-30564 was last seen leading the 381st Group at 1510 just after the bomb release. Number Engine was fathered over the target and Number 2 Engine was hit right after and started sacking. We continued to lead the Group for about five minutes then started to go down about like a normal letdown with Number 4 Engine feathered and Number 2 Engine on fire. Then I went past the ship and saw no more of them.

The Waist Gunner and Tail Gunner also saw this and also the Navigator.

2Lt. Donald K. Hopp

Source: MACR 885

B-17 42-30864 Crew