Production-block:
B-17G-15-DL: 42-37804 to 42-37893
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 388th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 561st Bomb Squadron
MACR: 3140
History of
B-17 42-37867 / Berlin Ambassador
Delivered Denver 24/9/43; Gr Island 7/10/43; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall 15/10/43; Missing in Action Oschersleben 11/1/44 with Gustav Hoehn, Navigator: Don Modarelli, Radio Operator: Byron Wiberg{wia, but died in hospital four days later}, Ball turret gunner: Pete Zaskiewicz (4 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: George Owens, Bombardier: Lieudell Bauer{evd but captured in Maastricht 31/3/44}, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Rigdon, Waist gunner: Harlan Mann, Waist gunner: Ed Hincks,Tail gunner: Gerry Brinker (6 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Zwolle sportsground avoiding town, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 3140. BERLIN AMBASSADOR.
Last updated: 31. July 2021
B-17 42-37867 / Berlin Ambassador Details
10 minutes after bombs away, at 1230 hours, at a point about 5 miles southeast of Dummer Lake, Germany, Lt Hoehn was observed to pull out to the left of the group formation with his #2 and #3 engines both feathered. He maintained his altitude but was dropping slowly behind the rest of the formation. When last seen, four P-39’s were accompanying him in his immediate vicinity.
Source: MACR 3140
B-17 42-37867 / Berlin Ambassador Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | George Gustav Hoehn | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | George R. Owens | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Donald S. Modarelli | KIA | shot, KIA |
| BOMB | 2LT | Lieudell E. Bauer | EVD | POW |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Charles C. Rigdon | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Byron A. Wiberg Jr. | WIA | Died |
| BT | S/SGT | Peter J. Zaskiewicz | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Harlan S. Mann | WIA | POW |
| WG | S/SGT | Edward W. Hincks Jr. | KIA | Killed in the air |
| TG | SGT | Gerard F. Brinker | POW | - |
20. June 2018 access_time 18:42
memory stone and propblade present at the crashsite
05. May 2023 access_time 16:07
My dad was tail gunner on Berlin Ambassador. He told the story of what his experience was as the plane was struggling to remain in the air and his leaving the aircraft. Thanks for keeping the memory of these men and their sacrifice alive!