Production-block:
B-17G-25-VE: 42-97636 to 42-97735
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Squadron:
- 748th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 9773
History of
B-17 42-97638 / Follow Me
Delivered Denver 14/1/44; 1SAG Langley 4/2/44; Grenier 16/3/44; Assigned 305BG Chelveston 20/3/44; transferred 91BG Bassingbourn 27/4/44; 351BG Polebrook 14/6/44; transferred 748BS/457BG [Z] Glatton 7/8/44; 749BS; Missing in Action Politz, Ger 7/10/44 with Bill Flannery, Co-pilot: Jewell Lowery, Bombardier: John Schloendorn, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lloyd Lagassa, Radio Operator: Dwayne Stowits (5 Killed in Action); Navigator: Morris Arnovitz, Ball turret gunner: Paul Moll, Waist gunner: George Petty,Tail gunner: Lt Walt Strossner, Lt Ray Moon {radar nav}; (5 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Politz; Missing Air Crew Report 9773. FOLLOW ME.
Last updated: 12. October 2017
B-17 42-97638 / Follow Me Details
#42-97638 was hit by flak while in the vicinity of the target . They were flying lead in the low squadron. Engine #3 was hit and caught fire. The flames trailed to the tail of the plane as it dived in an attempt to extinguish the flames. No parachutes were seen and the plane crashed on an island across the Oder river from Politz. Lt Strosser parachuted safely but fractured his ankle on landing. The flaming plane crashed on an island in a river near Stettin Bay. Some of the chutist also landed on this island.
B-17 42-97638 / Follow Me Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | --- | William H. Flannery | KIA | - |
| CP | --- | Jewell W. Lowery | KIA | - |
| NAV | --- | Paul Moll, III | POW | - |
| BOMB | --- | John G. Schloendorn | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | --- | Lloyd K. Lagassa | KIA | - |
| RO | --- | Duane E. Stowits | KIA | - |
| BT | --- | George L. Petty | POW | - |
| TG | --- | Walter C. Strosser | POW | - |
| NAV2 | --- | Morris Arnovitz | POW | - |
| --- | --- | Raymond G. Moon, Jr | POW | Nav 3 |
28. August 2019 access_time 19:06
I am from Stettin (Szczecin) and I heard a story that one of the parachutist from propably this aircraft landed in the backyard of my grandpa’s future house. No other details I know besides that he spoke some german. It might be Arnovitz becouse of his jewish-sounding surname but might everyone.
21. October 2021 access_time 17:53
Hi – I am investigating this crash and burial, and I’m trying to figure out who might currently own the land where it occurred. Would you be able to help?
29. March 2021 access_time 17:44
My grandpa was George Petty. He used to tell the story about parachuting out of this plane, and landing in a farmer’s field. He was badly injured and drew his pistol on the farmer. The farmer only had a pitch fork. My grandpa said he gave up at that point.