B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-31064 / Hey Lou

History of
B-17 42-31064 / Hey Lou

Delivered Cheyenne 15/9/43; Assigned 613BS/401BG [IN-H] Deenethorpe 30/10/43; Missing in Action Kiel 31/12/43 with Don Lawry, Co-pilot: Jim Dockendorf{only body recovered}, Navigator: Harry Self, Bombardier: Bernie Weiner, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Fred Waterman, Radio Operator: Lee Peters, Ball turret gunner: Chas Roome, Waist gunner: Bob Knutson, Waist gunner: Clarry College,Tail gunner: Horace Wood (10 Killed in Action); flak, crashed sea St Catherine’s Point, off Isle of Wight, UK. Missing Air Crew Report 1872. HEY LOU.

Last updated: 25. April 2021

B-17 42-31064 / Hey Lou Details

The following men perhaps were the last two men to observe A/C 42-31064:

1st Lt. GEORGE (NMI) GOULD
1st Lt. RUFUS F. CAUSEY

On the return trip from bombing Cognao, France, the aircraft 42-31064 was hit by flak over the target and had to leave formation. It continued to fall further behind and was observed trailing all the way back to the coast of France near the Guernsey Islands. At this point it was attacked by some enemy fighters and was last seen smoking and diving into the clouds.

Wreckage of the aircraft was found out beyond St. Catherine’s Point on the South of England. Near the wreckage was found the body of Lt. Dockendorf. No other bodies or clues to the whereabouts of the remainder of the crew were discovered.

Source: MACR 1872

The photo is from the mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany on December 30, 1943 with the crew of Lt. Richard H. Kaufman. One day before ‘Hey Lou’ did not return.

B-17 42-31064 / Hey Lou Crew