B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-38118

History of
B-17 42-38118

Delivered Denver 18/12/43; Kearney 31/12/43; Nutts Corner, Belfast, N.I. 8/1/44; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-N] Bassingbourn 25/2/44; Missing in Action Erkner 6/3/44 with Ben Fourmy, Co-pilot: Herb Markle, Navigator: Jim Daragan, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Fred Walker, Ball turret gunner: Art Collins, Waist gunner: Russ Brinkerhoff, Waist gunner: Joe Benoit,Tail gunner: Theo Zawadski (8 Prisoner of War); Bombardier: Arleigh Hale{thrown thru nose}, Radio Operator: Jim Pultz (2 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Nortrup, six miles SW of Quackenbruck, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 2901.

Last updated: 6. February 2021

B-17 42-38118 Details

Aircraft B-17G 42-38118, was last seen at 1230 hours in vicinity of 52:16N – 12:50E. Five (5) chutes were seen to come from this aircraft.

Plane attacked by enemy fighters. Two engines knocked out. Wing tanks on fire. Pilot crash landed the plane. No one bailed out.

S/Sgt. James H. Pultz was caught under the plane, and he could not be freed. Ship blew up and S/Sgt. Pultz was still under plane.

2Lt. Arleigh F. Hale was thrown through the nose when plane crashed. He was killed instantly.

Source: MACR 2901

B-17 42-38118 Crew