B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-97899

History of
B-17 42-97899

Delivered Tulsa 29/3/44; Kearney 27/5/44; Dow Fd 6/6/44; Assigned 748BS/457BG Glatton 7/6/44; Missing in Action Munster 28/10/44 with Pilot: J. Francis Angier, Co-pilot: Sam Cashman, Bombardier: Bob Maitland, Radio Operator: Bill Thomas, Ball turret gunner: Edwin Vantine,Tail gunner: Chas Osborne (6 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Sam Plestine, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Howard Lang,Tail gunner: Maynard Judson (3 Killed in Action); heavy flak damage, crashed near Hamburg; Missing Air Crew Report 10178.

Last updated: 27. December 2021

B-17 42-97899 Details

Flak at or southeast of enemy coast was meagre and fairly accurate. This flak apparently came from the Bremerhaven-Wesermünde area and hit only a few aircraft on the right of the group formation as the formation penetrated Germany.

Aircraft was hit apparently in right wing. It peeled off to right, as if leaving formation. Gasoline leak was observed. Aircraft started smoking, then flaming. Number 4 engine was feathered. Aircraft pulled up steeply, then went straight down. Right wing came off first; then left wing came off; then tail came off.

Aircraft was apparently under control two or three minutes after being hit.

Two chutes were reported to have come out soon after aircraft peeled off. Possibly two more were reported seen later.

Source: MACR 10178

B-17 42-97899 Crew