B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-3553

History of
B-17 42-3553

Delivered Denver 30 July 1943. Grand Island 10 August 1943. Assigned 339BS/96BG [QJ-H] Snetterton 29 August 1943. The Fortress had taken off on 8 November 1943 and was recalled due to heavy fog. It had apparently flown about three miles when it started to turn to begin assembly into Group formation. For some unknown reason it crashed into the ground, caught fire and blew up. Its debris were strewn across Bridge Meadow close to the home of Len King, Middle Farm, in West Harling, Norfolk, about three miles from base. All ten men on board were killed : Pilot Paul M. Hargett, Co-pilot: Waino A. Isaacson, Navigator: Clyde M. Yank, Bombardier: Robert N. Held, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Charles T. Brown, Radio Operator: Robert E. Newcomb, Ball turret gunner: Ronald A. Larson, Waist gunner: Harvey F. Petersen, Waist gunner: Rudolph Kubish,Tail gunner: Fred B. Comer. Salvaged.

Last updated: 11. February 2018