B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-37569

History of
B-17 43-37569

Delivered Cheyenne 30/4/44; Kearney 11/5/44; Grenier 27/5/44; Assigned 836BS/487BG [2G-P] Lavenham 30/5/44; 839BS [R5-P]; Missing in Action Darmstadt 24/12/44 with Ira Ball, Gordon Tomea, Warren Parks, Bob Lull, Duffy Gaudin, John Conery (6 Killed in Action); Harry Sperber, John Broom, Cuno Becker (3 Returned to Duty) enemy aircraft, crashed Hods, Bel. Missing Air Crew Report 11559.

Last updated: 27. August 2021

B-17 43-37569 Details

Statement by Lt. Sperber:

This aircraft was hit by four fighters who came out of the sun at about two to three o’clock. The shot away the rudder control, then the tail gunner called in that fifty to sixty enemy aircraft were massing off the tail. As they came in there was an explosion and a smell of gas and smoke in the plane.

#2 engine was on fire, also either #3 or #4. Lt. Sperber yelled into his interphone but he heard no response. He then noticed that the bombardier had taken his mask off and was putting his chute on. Lt. Sperber then put his chute on and moved to the escape hatch. He pulled the handle, which came off and the door remained closed. He kicked the door open and bailed out. The bombardier followed him out.

Extent of injury of 1st Lt. Cuno V. Becker is unknown.

Source: MACR 11559

B-17 43-37569 Crew

Related web sites about the B-17 43-37569

1. http://www.battleofthebulgememories.be/stories26/us-air-force23/866-the-end-of-the-b-17-number-43-37569-december-24-1944.html