B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-5787 / Billie K.

History of
B-17 42-5787 / Billie K.

Delivered Long Beach 19/1/43; Salina 2/2/43; Homestead 21/2/43; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-U] Bassingbourn 9/3/43; Missing in Action {5+m} Gelsenkirchen 12/8/43 with Jerold Kethley, Co-pilot: Ennis Cox, Navigator: Bob Sternberg, Bombardier: Jim Cullen, ttg-Bob Danielson, Radio Operator: Conrad Dussault, Ball turret gunner: Harry Stokes, Waist gunner: Alf Bragg, Waist gunner: John Burke,Tail gunner: Wilf Bacon (10 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft strafed cockpit and KO’d #1, crashed Forsbach, near Cologne, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 262. BILLIE K.

Last updated: 24. April 2022

B-17 42-5787 / Billie K. Details

A/C 787 was hit by first E/A attack at 0837. Two 20 MM shells were seen to hit the nose of the A/C. Eight 20 MM shells hit the left wing near #1 engine which it seemed must have done some damage to #1 engine, although it still was running when the A/C dropped back and down with a group behind. It was last seen at an altitude of 29000 feet in the vicinity of Goch on a heading of 112 degrees magnetic at 0842 hours.

Source: MACR 262

B-17 42-5787 / Billie K. Crew