B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-31201

History of
B-17 42-31201

Delivered Denver 3/10/43; Gr Island 31/10/43; Memphis 20/11/43; Assigned 414BS/97BG Depienne 30/11/43; Cerignola 20/12/43; Amendola 16/1/44; Missing in Action Ploesti, Rom. 24/4/44 with Bill White, Lynn Summers, Navigator: Harley Ross, Bombardier: Bob Johnson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ryman Byzek, Radio Operator: Stan Kochnover, Ball turret gunner: Donald McGlaun, Waist gunner: Theo Zazula, Waist gunner: Hubert Guyot,Tail gunner: Bernie Maloney (10MIA); enemy aircraft, crashed Topoloveni, Bul; Missing Air Crew Report 4519.

Last updated: 7. January 2025

B-17 42-31201 Details

The aircraft was hit by flak over the target and then dropped back about 600 yards at first turn off the target. By the time it made its third turn from the taget it was about 10000 feet below us and directly behind us.

All during that time it was being attacked continually by fighters, anywhere four to twelve at a time. On the fourth turn from the target aircraft #201 turned 90 degrees to our right and kept going down.

More fighters hit it, then as it was in a flat glide I saw (5) five chutes come out in orderly fashion.
That is call I saw as it was out off from my view by clouds. I saw one of the FW 190’s shot down and hit the ground during the fight.

S/Sgt. James V. King
Tail Gunner

Source: MACR 4519