B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-38081

History of
B-17 42-38081

Delivered Cheyenne 6/12/43; Savannah 20/12/43; Assigned 341BS/97BG Amendola 16/1/44; Missing in Action Rome 20/1/44 with Leroy Byrd, Beattie, Bailey, Young, Klinefelter, Moore, Bourne, Hebb, Wiget, Saldin; nine ‘chutes seen. Missing Air Crew Report 1953.

Last updated: 8. November 2020

B-17 42-38081 Details

Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17G 42-38081 and its crew

I the undersigned, was on the aerial bombardment mission, on the 20th January, 1944. I was in the tail gunner’s position of our aircraft. After passing over the top of the descending aircraft as it was falling a part, I saw (9) chutes floating in the air, and they all looked to be in the very best of shape. In the meantime the aircraft seemed to be breaking all to pieces in the air, and parts of it flying everywhich way.

S/Sgt. John W. Foerster
Tail Gunner

I the undersigned, was on the aerial bombardment mission on the 20th January, 1944. I was in the ball turret of our aircraft and on turning the turret around saw an airplane below and to be left of our formation evidently in trouble. Later I saw a parachute open, and on turning my turret around I saw (9) nine chutes all told, in a line as though each had jumped separately and not as though an explosion had blow them out. A little later I saw two sections of the disabled aircraft falling and burning debris in the air.

S/Sgt. George V. Hubacher
Ball Turret Gunner

B-17 42-38081 Crew