B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-97084 / Spare Charlie

Source:
www.fold3.com

General
Manufacturer: Boeing
Production-Block: , B-17G-40-BO: 42-97058 to 42-97172
Operational History
Bomb Group: , 381st Bomb Group
Bomb Squadron: , 534th Bomb Squadron
RCL GD-H
MACR 5918
KSU/ME/KU: 2351
Fate: , Lost by flak/aa-fire
(22 June 1944)
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History of
B-17 42-97084 / Spare Charlie

Delivered Cheyenne 25/1/44; Gr Island 20/2/44; Presque Is 28/2/44; Assigned: 534BS/381BG [GD-H] Ridgewell 6/4/44; MIA Tingry-Abbeville 22/6/44 Pilot: Sam Peak, Co-Pilot: Bob Petroski, Navigator: John Lundberg, Bombardier: Allen Osterberg, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Murl Simmons, Radio Operator: Frank Welke, Ball Turret Gunner: Bob Scharff, Tail Gunner: Max Rockey (8KIA); Waist Gunner: Dick Oberlin (POW); direct flak KOd #2 & #3, followed by fire an explosion, crashed a mile W of Epagnette, two miles SE of Abbeville, Fr; MACR 5918. SPARE CHARLIE.

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B-17 42-97084 / Spare Charlie Details

While serving as Co-Pilot on aircraft B-17G 42-102968 I observed our lead aircraft 42-97084 had been hit by Flak in the Number 2 and 3 engine covering the Wing with Fire. It went into a loop out of control and began breaking up as it passed out of my view. No Parachutes were seen to come out.

Raymond C. Hollman
2LT., Air Corps


While serving as Navigtor on ship B-17G 42-102968 I observed our lead ship 42-97084 beeing hit by Flak on the Number 2 and 3 engine. The Wing was covered wiith flame. The ship then went into a dive and out of sight. No chutes were seen to come out.

Charles R. Neumeister
2LT., Air Corps


I was flying ship 42-102968 leading the Low Squadron of the Lead Group. We had just dropped our Bombs and the had not hit the Target when I noticed ship 42-97084 was hit in the Number 2 and 3 engine. Fire completely covered the wing. The ship then went into a loop and was breaking up when it passed over my ship. It went into a dive and passed out of view.

William K. White, Jr.
1LT., Air Corps

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B-17 42-97084 / Spare Charlie Crew

Position Rank Name Status Note
P 1LT Samuel L. Peak KIA
CP 1LT Robert J. Petroski KIA
BOMB 2LT Allen Osterberg KIA
ENG/TT S/SGT Murl F. Simmons KIA
RO S/SGT Frank A. Welke, Jr. KIA
BT S/SGT Robert F. Scharff KIA
WG S/SGT Richard D. Oberlin POW
TG S/SGT Max L. Rockey KIA

This page was last updated on 29 August 2020

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