Production-block:
B-17G-25-BO: 42-31632 to 42-31731
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 97th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 341st Bomb Squadron
MACR: 7971 / KSU/ME/KU: 2901
History of
B-17 42-31645 / Babe
Delivered Denver 1/12/44; Paine 2/12/43; Gowen 6/12/43; Boise 9/12/43; Denver 10/12/43; Kearney 23/12/43; Memphis 1/1/44; Morrison 4/1/44; Assigned 341BS/97BG Amendola 16/1/44; Missing in Action Pardubice, Czech. 24/8/44 with Roy J. Boone, John W. Mellon, Edward J. Czaja, Eugene E. Morris, Roger V. Sederholm, Elmer H. Council, Milton Bubis, James W. Goldston, Vernon Aufdenkamp, Harry R. Sparling; Straggling and set upon by fighter, crashed Marburg; 4 x POW, 6 x KIA MACR 7981. BABE.
Last updated: 25. September 2025
B-17 42-31645 / Babe Details
Original mentioned MACR 7981 belongs to B-24 #44-40679. The correct MACR to #42-31645 is #7971. Thanks to JWO (see comment section below)
From MACR 7971
I the undersigned was flying in AC #181, 341st Bombardment Squadron, 97th Bomb Group on Mission to Parduice A/D, Czech, on 24 August 1944. After completing the bomb run, aircraft #645 was seen to be slowing down and dropping away from the formation altho the 4 engines were still operating. At about 5000 or 10000 feet after dropping away from the formation, I seen one enemy aircraft making a pass at the above missing AC, a few minutes after the attack aircraft was lost to sight. I did see a flash on the left wing of the aircraft, but am not positive wether it was the sun making the glare, or it was on fire.
Sgt. Dolye C. Davidson
B-17 42-31645 / Babe Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Roy J. Boone | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | John W. Mellon | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Edward J. Czaja | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Eugene E. Morris | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Roger V. Sederholm | KIA | - |
| RO | SGT | Elmer H. Council | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Milton Bubis | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | James W. Goldston | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Vernon Aufdenkamp | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Harry R. Sparling | POW | - |
12. May 2020 access_time 23:14
The MACR # for 42-31645 is 7971 not 7981. T
15. May 2020 access_time 17:02
Thank you!
I have updated the MACR number and added eyewitness statement from the MACR file.
23. June 2022 access_time 20:15
My father was the Bombardier on the final mission. The number 4 engine prop governor ran away, and when the Pilot shut down the engine it wouldn’t feather. The high airframe vibration caused the number two engine to fail, but it did feather. They were attacked by two fighters, downing one as they began the diversion to Vis in the Adriatic Sea, when they were hit by Anti Aircraft fire destroying the aircraft in flight. My father was with Vernon Aufdenkamp for two days after the shoot down, but they were separated Vern never made it back to the US. My father spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft III and Stamlager 7A before liberation. He said the Colonel appropriated the new B-17G they flew over to Foggia from the states, and his crew were assigned B-17 42-31645 which was in rough shape from many missions. RHIP I guess.
16. September 2022 access_time 12:34
I have since learned that Vern Aufdenkamp did survive his internement and lived a long and happy life leaving a grateful family.
24. September 2025 access_time 5:57
The name of the ENG/TT is T/SGT Roger V. Sederholm and not Sederholz. Thank you for correcting.
25. September 2025 access_time 19:00
Thank for the info. I have corrected his name.