Production-block:
B-17G-25-DL: 42-37989 to 42-38083
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 96th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 413th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 2861
History of
B-17 42-38043
Delivered Cheyenne 23/11/43; Gr Island 4/12/43; Presque Is 10/12/43; Prestwick, UK 17/12/43; ass 413BS/96BG Snetterton 18/12/43; MIA Stuttgart 25/2/44 Pilot: George Smiley{stayed in ship to let crew bale out}, Radio Operator: Ed Fath{chute failed} (2KIA); Co-Pilot: Bob Ketcham, Navigator: Dick Longman, Bombardier: Gordon Williams, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Jack Blacker, Ball Turret Gunner: Bill Thompson, Waist Gunner: Ben Scoville, Waist Gunner: Walt Brocious, Tail Gunner: Bob Haynes (8POW); crashed Sulzbach a.d.Murr, Germany. MACR 2861.
Last updated: 13. February 2022
B-17 42-38043 Details
The pilot remains at the controls until all other crewmembers had bailed out and was killed in the crash at 13:30. S/Sgt. Fath was killed due to parachute failure.
B-17 42-38043 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | George A. Smiley | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert H. Ketcham | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Richard T. Longman | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Gordon E. Williams | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Jack Blacker | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Edward H. Fath | KIA | Chute failed |
| BT | S/SGT | Willard B. Thompson | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Benjamin F. Scoville | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Walter L. Brocious | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Robert M Haynes | POW | - |
22. December 2020 access_time 18:27
George Smiley was my Uncle trying to find any pictures of the plane and of the crew..
17. April 2022 access_time 11:44
Hello Sue. This is a copy of the Missing Aircrew Report regarding your Uncle. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/90930452 I haven’t been able to find any photos unfortunately.
11. February 2022 access_time 12:57
Crashed at Sulzbach a.d.Murr, northeast of Stuttgart into a wood. Not Crailsheim.
13. February 2022 access_time 9:25
Danke, habe es korrigiert.
Thanks, I have updated the crash site.