
Source:
www.447bg.com
Production-block:
B-17G-5-BO: 42-31132 to 42-31231
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 447th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 709th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: M
MACR: 14180
Missions: 111
History of
B-17 42-31188 / Dead Man’s Hand
Delivered Cheyenne 30/9/43; Harvard 16/10/43; Assigned: 709BS/447BG Rattlesden 21/11/43; MIA Pirna (111m)19/4/45 Pilot: Bob Glazener, Ray Fortier, Ernie Purcifull, Seb Bucceri, Hobart Jarvis, Theo Ciemier, no wg ‘, Jim Burton (7POW); Harry Cramer (KIA); jet Enemy aircraft, crashed Dresden, Germany. MACR 14180. DEAD MAN’S HAND.(Last heavy bomber lost to e/a).
Last updated: 3. October 2020
B-17 42-31188 / Dead Man’s Hand Details

Eyewitness Statements to ths loss of B-17 #42-31188 / Dead Man’s Hand
The plane was on fire, and all attempts were made by me to extinguish the flames before leaving the ship, but as they could not be extinguished, all crew member bailed out. None were injured before bailing out. (The whole left wing was on fire.)
I was injured after I landed in the trees, nothing too serious, however, I did not receive any medical aid until I returned to the front lines on the morning of May 8, 1945, and again in the afternoon at a front line field hospital.
Robert F. Glazener
Pilot, B-17 #42-31188
Mor precise information as to Lt. Cramer’s whereabouts at the time of his death may be obtained from the knowledge of my position at the time. Since at the time, Chemnitz, Germany constituted the front lines, the entire crew bailed out between that city and Frieburg. I myself, since I was never taken prisoner, was hidden by German civilians in the little village of Haselbach, about 40 miles from Chemnitz. Lt. Cramer, then, would have bailed out nearer to that city, perhaps 15-20 miles due East.
I believe it is logical to assume that Lt. Cramer was killed by civilians, since our flight engineer was rather badly beaten up by them. Even in the very small village where I was hidden, persons were pointed out to me who had even gone in search of allied airmen for the explicit purpose of killing them.
Raymond E. Fortier
Navigator, B-17 #42-31188
At 5050N – 1335 E – 1225 hours at 19000 feet just after rally point 2 Me 262’s attacked the formation. They hit the high squadron only and made one attack. Came in from 7 o’clock – a little high and hit #3 man in the high squadron, aircraft 188 #1 engine caught on fire and crews report parts of engine or wing disinterating. Aircraft 188 went down at once – but apparently under control and crews report 3 chutes out and what they believed to be an attempt to make crash landing behind friendly lines.
Source: MACR 14180
B-17 42-31188 / Dead Man’s Hand Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | 1LT | Robert F. Glazener | POW | - |
CP | 2LT | Harold Cramer | KIA | - |
NAV | F/O | Raymond E. Fortier | POW | - |
ENG/TT | SGT | Sebastian Bucceri | POW | - |
RO | SGT | Hobart A. Jarvis | POW | - |
BT | SGT | Theodore S. Ciemier | POW | - |
TG | SGT | James W. Burton | POW | - |
TOG | SGT | Ernest L. Purcifull | POW | - |
02. November 2020 access_time 22:27
I am the oldest nephew of It Robert F. Glazener. At the present time I am having a 1/72 scale model of 42-31188, Dead Mans Hand built . Should be ready in November 2020.
A 111 mission airplane.
20. November 2020 access_time 2:50
My father was on the same mission. His diary read:
“Visual raid on marshalling yard. FLAK was meagre and inaccurate. ME-262s attacked our squadron (high) and knocked down one plane-the left wing man-we were right wing. Too close. Glazener went down.
The war in Europe is over for us.
Not one of the crew was so much as scratched.”
Rob
27. October 2021 access_time 22:56
Hello Mr Kirkwood, I just noticed you reply to my email about 42-31188. Thanks for the reply, soory it took me so long to notice/reply. I did get the model and would happy to send a picture or two if you want.
Best wishes,
A W Brown
27. October 2021 access_time 22:59
I meant to ask if you have any crew/plane pictures ?
A W Brown
28. October 2021 access_time 23:19
Please send me some photos. My father took a number of photos but none of your Uncle’s plane
04. December 2021 access_time 18:33
Email me and I will send pictures of the model
4-231188, Dead Man’s Hand