B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-97537 / Chicken Ship

History of
B-17 42-97537 / Chicken Ship

Delivered Cheyenne 15/12/43; Kearney 1/1/44; Presque Is 14/1/44; Assigned 749BS/457BG [U] Glatton 25/2/44; 748BS; Missing in Action Marienburg 9/4/44 with Amos Shephard, Co-pilot: Ralph Hammerstrom, Navigator: Ken Galyean, Bombardier: Herb Spaulding, Radio Operator: Jon Roberts, Ball turret gunner: Harry Smith, Waist gunner: Amos Bunch, Waist gunner: Arnold Kaufman,Tail gunner: Bill Good (9 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Joe Fasone (KIA-chute failed); enemy aircraft KOd #3, crashed two miles NE of Ossecken, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 3666.

Last updated: 6. January 2018

B-17 42-97537 / Chicken Ship Details

B-17 42-97537 was hit by flak in the target area. At least one engines was out when he left the formation. Three parachutes were seen emerging from his plane. The plane dove down and leveled off and was immediately attacked by three FW-190’s. All of the crew parachuted safely except engineer Fasone. He was found dead with an open parachute. Amos Bunch was injured in the upper lag by shrapnel but was able to abandon ship. He was later operated on in a German hospital and survived as a POW.

B-17 42-97537 / Chicken Ship Crew