B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-39975 / Just Plain Lonesome aka Baltimore Oriole

History of
B-17 42-39975 / Just Plain Lonesome aka Baltimore Oriole

Delivered Long Beach 22/10/43; Assigned 92BG Podington 5/12/43; transferred 324BS/91BG [DF-Z] Bassingbourn 10/1/44, then 323BS [OR-Z]; 40m Missing in Action Dessau 30/5/44 with Zack Collier, Co-pilot: John Kelleher, Navigator: William Paul Clements, Bombardier: Harry McDermott, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry Ward, Radio Operator: Steve Kogut, Ball turret gunner: George Zimheld, Waist gunner: Tom Cogdill, Tail gunner: Chas Semon (9 Killed in Action); flak KO’d two engines, nothing else heard from, or seen of a/c, assumed to have crashed in the sea; Missing Air Crew Report 5355. BALTIMORE ORIOLE aka JUST PLAIN LONESOME.

Last updated: 10. January 2025

B-17 42-39975 / Just Plain Lonesome aka Baltimore Oriole Details

An aircraft believed to have been B-17-G, 42-39975, was last sighted at 1115 hours, just after bombs away, 30 May 1944. said aircraft was hit by flak at the target at which time he called on VHF stating he had two (2) engines out and no airelon control and requested fighter support. As result of fighter attack at this point I was no longer able to observe subject aircraft.

1Lt. Hershel E. Mosley

Source: MACR 5355

B-17 42-39975 / Just Plain Lonesome aka Baltimore Oriole Crew