B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-32037

History of
B-17 42-32037

B-17 42-32037 Details

Eyewitness Statements from MACR 6540

On 21 June 1944, […] I was Ball Turret Gunner. When the plane in which we were riding appeared over Berlin, Germany, on the date afore-mentioned, flak from German anti-aircraft struck the plane 4 times, twice in the nose and twice in the bomb bay, with a result that the afore-mentioned plane exploded in mid-air.

S/Sgt. Garland T. Meredith

On the mission to Berlin, Germany on 21 June 1944, I was tail gunner on aircraft 42-102569 which was flying in #3 position in the low squadron of the low group of the 41st „B“ Combat Wing.

The two mission aircraft, #42-32037 and #42-107002, were flying in #3 and #4 positions, respectively, as shown in the diagram of the formation below.

Just after bombs away the two missing aircraft broke formation and went down to the left. Then the pilot apparently got them under control as they pulled up.

I believe they are both hit by anti-aircraft gunfire at the same time. I could see no fire or any apparent damage such as feathered propellers on either aircraft. A total of three parachutes came out but I cannot say from which aircraft. Since visibility was extremely poor due to clouds and dense persistent contrails, it was only possible to observe the missing aircraft for about a minute after they got into trouble,

Sgt. Olaf F. Kahnert, Jr,

On the mission to Berlin, Germany on 21 June 1944, I was pilot of aircraft 42-102569 which was flying in #3 position in the low squadron of the low group of the 41st „B“ Combat Wing.

The missing aircraft, #42-32037, was flying in the #4 position in the same squadron. Just after bombs away, the missing aircraft received aa direct hit from anti-aircraft gunfire. At the same time the aircraft flying in #1 position in the squadron was hit and started down so it is difficult to set forth exactly what happened.

I did, however, see to chute come out of aircraft 42-32037 and open. We were then flying at 26,800 feet. When I last saw the missing aircraft it was still under control and looked to be in good shape.

1Lt. Chester N. Orange

On the mission to Berlin, Germany on 21 June 1944, I was tail gunner on aircraft 42-102569 which was flying in #3 position in the low squadron of the low group of the 41st „B“ Combat Wing.

The two mission aircraft, #42-32037 and #42-107002, were flying in #3 and #4 positions, respectively, as shown in the diagram of the formation below.

On the bomb run, the missing aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft gunfire. It then fell out of formation and made two 360 – degree turns under control following which it went into a dive. I did not see any parachutes. Poor visibility made it hard to observe accurately what happened.

Sgt. Nicholas F. Kail

On the mission to Berlin, Germany, on 21 June 1944, I was tail gunner on aircraft #42-32037. My version of what happened to aircraft 42-32037 is the same as that of Sgt. Kail above.

Sgt. Jess Joyce

Formation Diagram from MACR 6540

B-17 42-32037 Crew