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Source:
Courtesy of Alan Hoelscher
Production-block:
B-17G-25-BO: 42-31632 to 42-31731
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 301st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 353rd Bomb Squadron
MACR: 2634
Missions: 12
History of
B-17 42-31671
Delivered Cheyenne 6/12/43; Hill Fd 9/12/43; Atlanta 19/12/43; Savannah 20/12/43; Assigned 353BS/301BG Cerignola 11/1/44; Lucera 1/2/44; Missing in Action {12m} Steyr 24/2/44 with Jack LaForge, Morin, Moore, Stuber, Scott, Gafford, Buley, Parana, Preiss (9 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Lambach, Aus; Missing Air Crew Report 2634.
Last updated: 5. June 2020
B-17 42-31671 Details
Witnesses’ Statement
The last I recall of seeing A/C 32-31671 was about a half hour from target. Ship was flying in 33 position and seemed to be in no trouble. Did not miss it during run on target as I was too busy due to enemy fighter action.
Sgt. Donald J. Coppins
Waist Gunner on A/C 42-30095
Piloted by 1Lt. James E. Ahearn
We were on bombing run and fighters were attacking from several directions. Some one called out fighters at 9 o’clock. I turned around and saw the bomb bay of 671 on fire. At first it looked as through it might go out, then the whole bomb bay was filled with flames. The salvoed their bombs and released the emergency door in the nose right away. The plane stayed in the formation for a few seconds and started dropping , I would judge about five to six hundred feet per minute and that was the last I saw of the plane.
Because there were as many fighters, it was impossible for me to watch the plane very long.
S/Sgt. Eugene James
Engineer Gunner on A/C 42-30095
Piloted by 1Lt. James E. Ahearn
Flying over the alps thirty (30) minutes before the bombing run both wing ships included in which was A/C #671 were still in formation. Next thing I knew at abou 1300 hours, German fighters, (seven (7) in all) attacked our Group. Looking back our left wing ship was burning from the tip of wing to fuselage along its right wing. I though that this was ship 671. It slowly went down and I didn’t see it any more. Previous to this a ship went down in the Alps and i saw two (2) chutes come out. It is possible this may have been 671.
S/Sgt. Frank J. Bitepatrick
Radio Operator on A/C 42-30095
Piloted by 1Lt. James E. Ahearn
B-17 42-31671 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Jack A. LaForge | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Antoine Robert Morin | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Robert E. Moore | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | William S. Stuber | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Virgil W Scott | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | George M. Gafford | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Francis F. Preiss | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Jesse L. Buley | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Joseph A. Parana | POW | - |
17. May 2020 access_time 1:50
My grandfather Virgil Scott was on the plane. I have a photo of the tail that survived the crash if anyone would want a copy.
15. November 2020 access_time 2:19
My grand uncle Frank Preiss was the ball turret Gunner. He lost a leg on this mission. Your photo is amazing. I wish uncle Frank was still alive to see it!
15. November 2020 access_time 2:16
My grand uncle Frank Preiss was the ball turret Gunner. He lost a leg on this mission. Your photo is amazing. I wish uncle Frank was still alive to see it!
21. December 2020 access_time 23:26
My great uncle Jesse Buley was a waist gunner on this aircraft. He attended my mother’s wedding in 1971. She said that her mother (Jesse’s sister) told her that he had been a stocky-built guy before the war, but after, until the end of his life in 1976, was very thin, at least partially due to his time in the notorious Stalagluft IV prison camp. He had shrapnel in one leg, as well, until death. I do have a picture of him from the wedding, I will attempt to find it and send a scan of it.