B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-37567 / Willie III

B-17 #43-37567 / Willie IIIzoom_in

Source:
www.457thbombgroup.org

Manufacturer:
Boeing

  • RCL: J

MACR: 11334 / KSU/ME/KU: 3470

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History of
B-17 43-37567 / Willie III

Delivered Cheyenne 30/4/44; Gt Falls 3/5/44; Kearney 3/6/44; Grenier 18/6/44; Assigned 750BS/457BG [J] Glatton 29/6/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 12/12/44 with Montell Higgins (Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Bill Bell, Navigator: John McCaughan, Bombardier: Harry Harstedt, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Frank Winder, Radio Operator: Fred Lawyer, Ball turret gunner: Phil Porter, Waist gunner: Russ Perry,Tail gunner: Bill Smigielski (9 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Sensweiler, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 11334. WILLIE III.

Last updated: 9. January 2022

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B-17 43-37567 / Willie III Details

No damage was noticed to aircraft. It was flying lead in the low squadron and appeared to be having difficulty maintaining speed and altitude, causing the whole squadron to fall behind. It was flying at an atrspeed of only 130 miles per hour and was losing altitude. Several witnesses said all four engines were turning. One witness reported number 4 engine feathered. Aircraft was not out of control.

Source: MACR 11334

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B-17 43-37567 / Willie III Crew

Position Rank Name Status Note
P 1LT Montell C. Higgins KIA
CP 2LT William M. Bell jr. POW
BOMB 2LT Harold F. Harstedt POW
ENG/TT T/SGT Francis J. Winder POW
RO T/SGT Fred E. Lawyer POW
BT S/SGT Philip G. Porter POW
WG S/SGT Russell A. Perry POW
TG S/SGT Bill C. Smigielski POW

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