B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-98019 / Mutzie “B”

History of
B-17 42-98019 / Mutzie “B”

Delivered Dallas 3/5/44; Langley 26/6/44; Dow Fd 20/7/44; Assigned PFF 838BS/487BG [2C-L] Lavenham 2/8/44; Missing in Action Merzehausen, Ger 24/12/44 with Robert G. Kraker, Braden Souders, Scott Roberts, Charles C. Collett, Jr., William J. McClendon, Gordon P. Thoroman, Robert A. Nash, Hugh B. Robertson, Chester D. Evans, Morris Schmulewitz; 6 RTD/4 KIA; force landed continent. MACR 11238 ; MUTZIE `B’.

Last updated: 22. August 2021

B-17 42-98019 / Mutzie “B” Details

Remarks or Eyewitness Statements:

This A/C was forced to abort when the #3 prop had to be feathered and trouble developed in #2 engine. Descent was begun and #2 picked up. When over Ostend three engines were running. The A/C was at 11,000 feet and was about five minutes out on a heading for Felixstowe when the #1 engine blew up. The pilot turned left and headed back to the Belgian coast; the bombs were jettisoned just after the engine exploded. Lt. Kraker gave the order to prepare to bail out and Lt. Roberts called the radio operator to stand by for the bail out order. At this Time the fire was getting worse in the wing. About two miles inland the bail out order was given. No reply was received from the waist; evidently they had bailed out about four minutes previous.

Lt. Souders was the last one out in the waist before the official order was given, and he landed about one mile out in the water and swam to shore; he saw the other four chutes stretched out in a trail. Those listed as MIA landed in the water about eight miles off shore at 1320 at 51°12’N-02°37’E.

Boats and Mosquitos were sent from Ostend to look for the chutes. All the crew had dinghies and Mae Wests. They may have drifted into enemy beaches at Dunkirk; if not; they were probably drowned.

Source: MACR 11238

B-17 42-98019 / Mutzie “B” Crew