B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-97266 / Godfathers Inc.

History of
B-17 42-97266 / Godfathers Inc.

B-17 42-97266 / Godfathers Inc. Details

No enemy aircraft opposition. Flak for High Squadron and this aircraft, moderate and accurate.

Aircraft was seen to have been hit in left wing by flak. No fires or explosions were observed although smoke was reported coming from #2 and #3 engines when in steep dive.

Aircraft was seen to do several violent spins. Went down through clouds in steep dive.

Eyewitness Statements

While on the combat mission to Pilzen, Czechoslovakia, 25 April, 1945, we were flying lead of the low element, High Squadron. The aircraft B-17G 42-97266 was flying number five (5) position of low element, High Squadron. Just before bombs away he peeled out of the formation with smoke coming out of his left wing. He came up to nine (9) o’clock loosing altitude and then he slipped under our formation.

As he did this I saw someone jump out. I didn’t see the chute open. This was the last I saw of the plane for a while and the person that jumped out.

I saw the plane at seven (7:00) some minutes later. It was just about cloud level and the plane seemed to be under control southwest of the target.

S/Sgt. James A. Lawrence
Left Waist Gunner – B-17G 44-8274

While on a combat mission to Pilzen, Czechoslovakia, on 25 April, 1945, I was flying as Tail Gunner in Aircraft B-17G 44-8644, which was the number five (5) ship of the high element in the high Squadron.

Right after the second (2nd) Bomb Run the waist gunner called my attention to the aircraft “G for George” (B-17G 42-97266). I picked him up at the 4:30 position and the plane seemed to be under control. The No. two (2) engine was leaving a trail of black smoke.

Near the area where the bombs hit I saw three parachutes open. Possibly there were more but I couldn’t see them because of the white cloud background.

The plane after a good minute and half of almost level flight, started a lazy left spiral. The spiral lasted at least sixty-three (63) seconds. I’m not sure because of the distance I was then. I saw either the sun reflect or else the ship exploded.

I am more positive the ship gushed into flames. That was all I saw of the ship. I did notice the chutes hit below the smoke caused by the bomb hits.

Sgt. Florian F. Wierdak
Tail Gunner – B-17G 44-8644

Flying in Aircraft B-17G 44-8274 as Ball Turret Gunner on combat mission to Pilzen, Czechoslovakia 25 April 1945, I saw the following:

Our aircraft was flying lead of the low element of the high squadron. We passed over the target once without dropping our bombs then we circled, making a 360 degree turn, and made a second run. Just before bombs away the flak was moderate and accurate. “G for George” (B-17G 42-97266) peeled out of the formation, coming out toward front of formation then turning and heading back.

While the aircraft was flying at an angle, wings nearly vertical, it released its bombs about three hundred (300) yards back. It then went into a fast glide back in the direction of the formation. After starting to spin and spiral the pilot finally leveled the ship out at approximately the cloud level. Seconds before this two (2) chutes were seen to open (the aircraft was then flying straight and level, apparently under control).

About thirty (30) seconds later the plane disappeared into the clouds.

S/Sgt. Donald S. Oswalt
Ball Turret Gunner – B-17G 44-8274

While on a combat mission to Pilzen, Czechoslovakia, on 25 April, 1945, I saw “G for George” (Aircraft B-17G 42-97266) go down just after the second bomb run over the target. Our crew was flying the number four (4) position of the high squadron and “G for George” was flying on our left. Smoke was streaming from either the number one (1) or two (2) engine. The pilot pulled far out to our left and started down and then leveled off again. He started down once more then pulled under us and over to our right. He then went between an opening in the clouds and one parachute came out and the ship went straight down.

S/Sgt. Carlton G. Crewswell
Waist Gunner – B-17G 43-38794

I was flying in Aircraft B-17G 44-8500, which was the NO. four (4) ship in the low element of the high squadron on a combat mission to Pilzen, Czechoslovakia on 25 April 1945. We were over the target when I felt three (3) bursts of flak shake the ship. About this time I noticed one engine of “G” for George (42-97266) smoking and in a few seconds he peeled off and went down with the engine still smoking but apparently under full control. I counted three (3) chutes before loosing sight of the plane which still seemed to be under control.

Sgt. Eugene A. Wrobel
Ball Turret Gunner – B-17G 44-8500

Source: MACR 14224

B-17 42-97266 / Godfathers Inc. Crew

Other websites about this B-17 42-97266 / Godfathers Inc.

1. http://www.leteckabadatelna.cz/havarie-a-sestrely/detail/282/