B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-97342 / Struggle Buggy

History of
B-17 42-97342 / Struggle Buggy

Delivered Cheyenne 20/2/44; Hunter 4/3/44; Grenier 7/4/44; Assigned: 332BS/94BG [XM-H] Rougham 9/4/44; MIA Ingolstadt 21/4/45 Pilot: Jack Kirk (RTD); John Beck, Lloyd Olson, Oliver Hawthorn, Alma Glick, Chas Stribi, no btg, Harry Thompson, Bob Kipp (7KIA); hit by prop wash, crash-landed Sulzbach (Schwäbisch Hall), Germany. {last loss of 94BG}. MACR 14167. STRUGGLE BUGGY.

Last updated: 11. June 2022

B-17 42-97342 / Struggle Buggy Details

Last loss of 94th Bomb Group. Crashsite is not Halle/Saale but Sulzbach bei (Schwäbisch) Hall, Germany. Probably shot down by Adolf Galland in a Me 262.

Eyewitness Statements

The formation of which this aircraft was a member was en route back to base after attacking the target at Ingolstadt. While flying at 18,000 feet on a magnetic heading of 270 degrees in the vicinity of 48°59’N – 09°38’E, the formation was flying above solid undercast.

At the coordinates just mentioned, towering cumulus clouds, rising about one thousand feet above the formation flight level, were encountered and just as the formation entered the cumulus clouds the subject missing aircraft was seen to turn over on its back, apparently out of control, and dived downward into the solid undercast.

At that time rough air and prop wash were encountered by other aircraft in the formation and therefore may have been contributing facts for this aircraft going out of control.

No chutes were observed and no other observations could be made as the formation continued on through the cumulus clouds for about eight (8) to ten (10) minutes before again breaking out into air clear. Due to the cloud conditions and the very poor visibility no further observations were made.

Source: MACR 14167

Additional Statement from MACR 14167:

Pilot Kirk reported that the aircraft went out of control just as the formation entered a cloud formation at flight level – 18000 feet. He believes it was due to rough air and severe prop wash. When the aircraft went out of control it was in solid clouds, with visibility zero. He and the Co-Pilot endeavored to regain control of the aircraft , which had turned over on its back and then into a spin. After their combined efforts proved unsuccessful, Pilot Kirk called the crew on interphone and ordered them to abandon aircraft. The pilot then put on his chute and made for the navigators escape hatch, jumping therefrom. About 2 seconds after jumping the pilot opened his chute. He believes he was at about 1000 feet when his chute opened. He reports that he did not see or hear aircraft crash, nor could he see smoke or fire anywhere in the vicinity after his landing. He landed amongst the trees in a woods or forest about 4 miles due east of Sulzbach, Germany. The territory was still held by German soldiers. He did amongst the trees in the woods until the following morning – 22 April 1945. He then made his way to the town of Sulzbach. Here he met a German woman and went with her to her home where he was given hot coffee and sandwiches. While there talking with the German woman and her daughter aged 6, two American soldiers entered the hosue and advised that their Army was taking over this town, having just captured it. Lt. Kirk turned himself over to these soldiers and was escorted to their Commanding Officer who in turn sent him on to their Regimental Hqs, thence to Divisional Hqs, thence to Paris and thence back to home Base. Lt. Kirk reported that he told each Commanding Officer at each Hq, to which he was taken, the exact place of his parachute landing and they each in turn advised him that a search would be made for his crew and craft. He asked that he remain and accompany them in the search, however, this request was refused. Nothing further is known of the crew or craft.

B-17 42-97342 / Struggle Buggy Crew

Related web sites about the B-17 42-97342 / Struggle Buggy

1. https://www.swp.de/suedwesten/staedte/crailsheim/raetsel-um-absturz-des-1945-zerschellten-us-bombers-18458107.html
2. https://www.swp.de/suedwesten/staedte/gaildorf/das-ende-einer-_fliegenden-festung_-23611297.html
3. https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-lorraine-b/82695-beck-john-g-lor-d-28-33