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Production-block:
B-17G-15-BO: 42-31332 to 42-31431
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 322nd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LG-W
MACR: 13881
Missions: 128
History of
B-17 42-31333 / Wee Willie
Delivered Cheyenne 22/10/43; Gr Island 3/11/43; Memphis 9/11/43; Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-W] Bassingbourn 20/12/43; Missing in Action 129m Stendahl 8/4/45 with 1Lt Robert E Fuller (POW), 2Lt Woodrow A Lien, T/Sgt Francis McCarthy, S/Sgt Richard D Proudfit, S/Sgt Wylie McNatt Jr, S/Sgt Ralph J Leffelman, S/Sgt Willian H Cassidy, S/Sgt James D Houtchens, Sgt Lemoyne Miller (9 Killed in Action); flak hit between fuselage and #2 engine caused massive fire which detached the port wing, exploded in the resulting dive, crashed Stendal, Germany; MACR 13881; (oldest G in group) 1 x POW, 9 x KIA. WEE WILLIE.
Last updated: 22. July 2022
B-17 42-31333 / Wee Willie Details
Wee Willie was the oldest B-17G still in service with the 91st Bomb Group, and the next to last B-17 lost to enemy action by the group before cessation of hostilities. The War in Europe came to an end with the unconditional surrender of Germany just 31 days later, 8 May 1945.
Witness reports form MACR 13881:
We were flying over the the target at 20000 feet altitude when I observed aircraft B-17G 42-31333 to receive a direct flak hit approximately between the bomb-bay and the No. 2 engine. The aircraft immediately started into a vertical dive. The aircraft fuselage was on fire and when it had dropped approximately 5000 feet the left wing fell off. It continued down and when the fuselage was about 3000 feet from the ground it exploded, and then exploded again.when it hit the ground. I saw no crew members leave the aircraft or parachutes open.
S/Sgt. George Little
401st Bomb Sq., 91st Bomb Gp (H)
Sgt. Luke A. Pegoraro
401st Bomb Sq., 91st Bomb Gp (H)
I first obersved aircraft 42-31333, at about 3 minutes after bombs away. I did not see the aircraft at the time it was hit, but saw the fuselage and a wing which had broken off falling downward. The fuselage was on fire and I saw no crew-member leave the ship or parachutes open. The aircraft passed from my view at approximately 16000 feet altitude.
Sgt. Allen S. Bender, Jr.
401st Bomb Sq., 91st Bomb Gp (H)
B-17 42-31333 / Wee Willie Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Robert E. Fuller | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Woodrow A. Lien | KIA | - |
| NAV | T/SGT | Francis J. McCarthy | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Wylie McNatt, Jr. | KIA | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Ralph J. Leffelman | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | William H. Cassiday | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | James D. Houtchens | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Le Moyne Miller | KIA | - |
| TOG | S/SGT | Richard D. Proudfit | KIA | - |
09. March 2021 access_time 13:56
My brother Phil Reuter was the tail gunner and a part of the Wee Willie crew, but for this one mission he had been given a different assignment. A sad situation sometimes has a blessing. He came home safe and sound and raised a family and lived a good life.
08. April 2021 access_time 15:18
My uncle Woodrow Lien, may he rest in peace, was a last-minute replacement for the sick co-pilot of the regular Wee Willie crew. A simple twist of fate, in his case and your brother’s.
21. July 2021 access_time 1:41
I was born in Newton Massachusetts just after midnight on April 8th, 1945. Wee Willy went down just a few hours after my birth. A dedication to Wee Willy will be on my grave stone when I die. Up in the right hand corner of the stone. My father was in the Army Air Corps at that time as well. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THESE SUPER BRAVE SOULS….and all the others as well. My their souls be in peace. Rudi Pierotti Boise, Idaho
15. September 2023 access_time 11:47
I am searching for relatives or a photo of SSGT Ralph Joseph Leffelman. He was the Radio Operator, Gunner on the WEE WILLIE.