B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-3514 / Dinah Mite II aka Doll Baby

History of
B-17 42-3514 / Dinah Mite II aka Doll Baby

Delivered Denver 13/7/43; Hill 20/8/43; Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP-V] Ridgewell 24/9/43 (DINAH MITE II?); Missing in Action 18+m Oschersleben 11/1/44 with Billy Chason, Co-pilot: Henry Mickelson, Navigator: Larry Walker, Bombardier: Americus Gentile, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Carl Hydra, Radio Operator: Bob Vollbrecht, Ball turret gunner: Ray Martin, Waist gunner: Howard Greenwood, Waist gunner: Tom Cobb,Tail gunner: Steve Kudla (10 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, #3 caught fire, crashed between Oldenburg and Bremen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 1878. DOLL BABY.

Last updated: 18. September 2021

B-17 42-3514 / Dinah Mite II aka Doll Baby Details

Eyewitness Statementes

I saw Lt. Chanson’s #1 engine catch fire. He feathered the engine and the fire went out but continued smoking. Later his #3 engine caught fire and the ship dropped out of formation. I did not see any parachutes.

S/Sgt. Frank P. Mitchley
Right Waist Gunner

S/Sgt. William E. Abbott
Tail Gunner

S/Sgt. Walter H. Abernathy
Right Waist Gunner

Source: MACR 1978

B-17 42-3514 / Dinah Mite II aka Doll Baby Crew