Production-block:
B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 351st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 510th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: TU-B
MACR: 2657 / KSU/ME/KU: AV 608/44
History of
B-17 42-31612
Delivered Denver 28/11/43; Kearney 17/12/43; Syracuse 2/1/44; Presque Is 4/1/44; Assigned 510BS/351BG [TU-B] Polebrook 30/1/44; Missing in Action 8m Oschersleben 22/2/44 Crew: Bill Ritzema, Co-pilot: Paul Straw, Navigator: Bob Shuss Wounded in Action, Bombardier: Lorin Wolfe Wounded in Action, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Rich Stewart, Ball turret gunner: Bill Leach, Waist gunner: John Zundel Wounded in Action-lost leg, Waist gunner: Octavio Duran,Tail gunner: Don Pearson (9 Prisoner of War); Radio Operator: Frank DeMarco (Killed in Action); Severe flak damage, bellied on Gut Muthagen near Gelsenkirchen-Aachen Road (L164), near Uebach-Palenberg, nine miles north of Aachen, Germany; Missing Air Crew Report 2657.
Last updated: 25. October 2020
B-17 42-31612 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | William H. Ritzema | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Paul D. Straw | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Robert V. Shuss | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Lorin A. Wolfe | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Richard H. Steward | POW | - |
| RO | SGT | Frank J. De Marco | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | William H. Leach | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | John H. Zundel | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Octavio A. Duran | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Donald C. Pearson | POW | - |
24. September 2022 access_time 23:47
Hello,
I am 63 years old an spending a lot of years for researching in history of my home around Übach-Palenberg (important:named UBACH in after action reports) , Rimburg , Geilenkirchen and so on.
I know the belly landing at Muthagen and the photo of 42-32612. It was and is my interest for a long time to finding out the exact location where the plane came to rest. Looking for eye witnesses were negative. For some days I came in contact with a 92 years old woman at the local cemetery. It was by pure chance that I met her. She told me that she and her brother eye witnessed the belly landing. Alone in the fields they ran to the plane and were surprised when the pilot or copilot stepped out as the only person. He put his finger to his mouth to order them to be quiet. He put on a rucksack? and ran away using the trench along the road for hiding.
It must have taken a long time before people and the Wehrmacht entered the side.
Again I could not find out the exact location.
15. August 2023 access_time 10:48
Hello Mr. Jansen,
my name is Barthel Philipps and I live also in Übach-Palenberg. I know more or less the position where this B17 came down.
I know it from a freind how is allready past away. Please contact me and we can look at this place.
best regards
17. February 2024 access_time 2:26
Hello Barthel,
My name is Tyler Butler and I am the grandson of Robert V. Shuss who survived the incident. any additional information that can be shared about 42-32612 and the landing will be greatly appreciated.
20. February 2024 access_time 11:38
Hi Tyler,
It’s more then 20 years ago that my friend showed me the position.
So I hope that I remember right:
50,9415 North, 6,13338 East
Unfortunately it’s not possible to attach pictures here.
My friend visited this place often and found also some Aluminum pieces there.
Hope this information will help you. It’s nearly exactly 80 years ago that the plane went down.
Amazing how many people are still engaged.