| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-10-VE: 42-39958 to 42-40057 |
| Delievered: | Long Beach |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 100th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 351st Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | EP-F |
| MACR: | 4866 |
| German Document: | KU-1817 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (11 May 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-39983 / Katie
Delivered Long Beach 26/10/43; Assigned 351BS/100BG [EP-F] Thorpe Abbotts 4/12/43; Missing in Action German rail jncts at Liege 11/5/44 with Jack Hunter, Co-pilot: George Shoesmith, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Art Wellingham, Radio Operator: Spiro Lecouras, Ball turret gunner: Chas Anglin, Waist gunner: Bob Kuehl, Waist gunner: John Ruprick (7 Killed in Action); Navigator: Rich Heh, Bombardier: Murray Lirette,Tail gunner: Herb South{Wounded in Action} (3 Prisoner of War); flak hit and #3 exploded and part of wing blown off; crashed Ougree, four miles SW of Liege, Bel. Missing Air Crew Report 4866. KATIE.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-39983 / Katie Details
Aircraft #983 received a direct hit from flak in wing at #1 engine a few seconds after bombs away. Part of wing was shot off. A/C went down in a flaming spin and hit near the marshalling yards and exploded. 2 chutes were seen.
Source: MACR 4866
B-17 42-39983 / Katie Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Jack Hunter | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | George W. Shoesmith | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Richard J. Heh | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Murray J. Lirette | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Arthur L. Wellingham | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Spiro Lecouras | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Charley L. Anglin | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Robert H. Kuehl | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John Rupnick, Jr. | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Herbert S. South | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 08 May 2026
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