B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-31452 / Fifty Packin Mama

History of
B-17 42-31452 / Fifty Packin Mama

Delivered Cheyenne 2/11/43; Denver 7/11/43; Cheyenne 20/11/43; Gr Island 25/11/43; Assigned 20BS/2BG Amendola 25/12/43; Missing in Action Ploesti 22/7/44 with Norman Austin, Co-pilot: John Holt, Navigator: George Mullen, Bombardier: Fred Decker, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Doyle Carson, Ball turret gunner: Ken Baldwin, Waist gunner: Alf Pinter, Waist gunner: Ray Wylie,Tail gunner: Hubert Cagle (9 Prisoner of War); Radio Operator: Carl Jones (Killed in Action); flak, #3 engine out, crashed Zimicea, Rumania; Missing Air Crew Report 6949. FIFTY PACKIN MAMA.

Last updated: 13. October 2020

B-17 42-31452 / Fifty Packin Mama Details

Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17G 42-31452 / Fifty Packin Mama

2Lt. Loy A. Dickson, navigator on B-17 No. 200 of the 20th Squadron which was flying in the first wave, third squadron, second element, third plane.

B-17 No. 452 turned back, took reciprocal heading to ours, this would make his heading approximately 263 deg. It had already salvoed its bombs at 1045 hours and other equipment before turning back. When it passed out of my line of vision it was under control. No chutes were seen, this was at 1050 hours at 44 deg 19 min North 26 deg 30 min East.

2Lt Loy A. Dickson

Sgt. Joseph Marinello, lower turret gunner of B-17 No. 048 which was flying in the first wave, third squadron, first element, lead plane.

I first noticed No. 452 when smoke started from their number two engine. A few minutes later he feathered the prop and peeled off to the right, going down. He seemed to have full control of the ship. I lost sight of this plane a little later as he went into a cloud. No chutes, this was at 1049 hours from 44 deg 11 min North 26 deg 05 min East.

Sgt. Joseph Marinello

Sgt. Joseph S. McGarry, tail gunner on B-17 No. 8066, 20th Squadron which was flying in the first wave, third squadron, second element, second plane.

I saw B-17 No. 452 as it turned out of the formation making a fight turn under our ship. Their number two engine was feathered. The last I saw of this plane, it was heading in the general direction of home. No chutes, this was at 1049 hours at 44 deg 30 min North 26 deg 30 min East.

Sgt. Joseph S. McGarry

Sgt. Howard Ryder, right waist gunner of B-17 No. 8066, 20th Squadron which was flying in the first wave, third squadron, second element, second plane.

I noticed B-17 No. 452 as it passed directly under our tail. They were having trouble with their number two engine. It finally passed from my line of vision and that is the last I saw of it. It was flying under complete control and no chutes left the aircraft. This was at 1049 hours at 44 deg 30 min North 26 deg 30 min East.

Sgt. Howard Ryder

Sgt. Robert D. Donahue, tail gunner on B-17 No. 877 which was flying in the first wave, third squadron, first element, second plane.

I saw B-17 No. 452 leave the formation, and began flying heading of approximately 260 deg. His number two engine was feathered but he seemed to be in no other trouble. There was no smoke or fires. A little later it went into the clouds and that is the last I saw of the plane. It was under control all the time and no chutes came out.

Sgt. Robert D. Donahue

Source: MACR 6949

B-17 42-31452 / Fifty Packin Mama Crew