B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-97740

History of
B-17 42-97740

Delivered Denver 12/2/44; 1SAG Langley 12/3/44; Dow Fd 29/5/44; Assigned 91BG Bassingbourn 18/6/44; transferred 600BS/398BG [N8-Q] Nuthampstead 29/6/44; 602BS [K8-Q]; (16m) Missing in Action [PFF] Misburg 26/11/44 with Capt Gene Douglas, Co-pilot: Chas Zimmer, Capt Harry Nelson [ex nav], Navigator: Randolph Anderson, Bombardier: Norman Kottke, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Opher Rumney, Radio Operator: Jim Strafford, lwg-Jim Williams, rad nav-Lt Aaron Kuptsow {rwg},Tail gunner: Phern Stout (10 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Oberschoenhagen, near Detmold; Missing Air Crew Report 11146 (?11144).

Last updated: 11. December 2020

B-17 42-97740 Details

#2 engine hit by flak about 10 seconds before bombs away; but plane continued on course until after bombs away and then made deep diving turn to the left. No fire but heavy smoke seen coming from #2 engine.

Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17

Just as bombs went away I saw an explosion underneath Capt. Douglas’ ship, near or just ahead of the bomb bay. A moment or so later he started a diving turn to the left, which seemed normal. I started to follow but he went underneath my ship and I could not see him. As Captain Douglas started his turn Lt. Pope did not start his turn and I did not see any of the three ships of the lead element afterward. I did not see any fire in any of the ships and they seemed to be under control the last I saw of them.

1Lt. D. L. Cummings
Pilot, B17G 42-97249

Just after bombs away Lt. Pope turned to left. Capt Douglas kept flying straight and leven and Lt. Armor dropped down, as if he had been hit, and turned very sharply. I couldn’t tell just which way he turned. Last I saw of any of any of those ships.

2Lt. Joseph S. Tolochko
Pilot, B17G 42-107188

Source: MACR 11146

B-17 42-97740 Crew