B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-5949

History of
B-17 42-5949

Delivered Long Beach 28/5/43; Cheyenne 7/6/43; Gd Isle 29/6/43; Dow 18/7/43; Assigned 419BS/301BG Oudna 13/8/43; Missing in Action {15m} Bolzano 25/9/43 with Ed Stapleton, Co-pilot: Robert G. Marner, Navigator: Max Doyle, Bombardier: Jim Fitzgerald, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ed Gehrt, Radio Operator: Ray Wagner, Ball turret gunner: John Ball, Waist gunner: Oscar Daniels, Waist gunner: Teddy May,Tail gunner: John Dygnan (10 Killed in Action). Missing Air Crew Report 767.

Last updated: 20. June 2021

B-17 42-5949 Details

Statements to the loss of B-17 #42-5949

The last I saw of 42-5949 was on our way through the overcast. It was on our right wing for about three minutes and then I lost it entirely in the heady clouds.

T/Sgt. Henry S. Brenzo
Radio Operator

I last saw 42-5949 for about five minutes while we are in the overcast. When he was about 150 yards he flew from five o’clock to seven o’clock. It was my impression at this time that he saw us and turned away. I then lost sight of the plane.

While right about over Leghorn I once saw a B-17 flying through intense medium flak, but I was unable to distinguish the number of the plane. However when I last saw it it was headed northwest from Leghorn and seemed to be all right.

S/Sgt. Vincent S. Jakubczak
Tail Gunner

The last time I saw 42-5949 it was on your right wing. As soon as we hit the overcast he peeled off and disappeared in the clouds.

S/Sgt. Jerald E. Tate
Tail Gunner

Flying in position 13 in plane 42-30341, we were in constant visual contact with plane 42-5949, which was in position 12. After leaving the target, the formation entered a heavy cloud overcast. The last I saw of ’49’ it was diving down, though apparently in good condition and under control. We sighted no other plane after that until we were within 180 miles of the African coast.

S/Sgt. Solomon J. Cross
Radio Operator

Source: MACR 767

B-17 42-5949 Crew