B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-37865

History of
B-17 43-37865

Delivered Cheyenne 30/5/44; Hunter 9/6/44; Dow Fd 30/6/44. Assigned 349BS/100BG [XR-P] Thorpe Abbotts 10/7/44. Missing in Action on the mission to Saint-Sylvain (Calvados) 8 August 1944. Pilot : John P. Keys; Co-pilot: Elvin W. Samuelson; Navigator: Patrick H. Lollis; Bombardier: Elton Dickens; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry D. Park; Radio Operator: Frank O. Thomas; Ball turret gunner: Peter P. Martin; Tail gunner: Donald V. Rieger (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Gilbert A. Borba (Prisoner of War). 1½ minute before bombs away, at an altitude of about 11,000 feet, a Flak burst put out engine 2, and another one cut off the tail assembly. The plane nosed down out of formation and exploded near the ground. Pieces of it were strewn over many places near Périgny, NE of Vire, France. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 8073.

Last updated: 31. July 2023

B-17 43-37865 Details

1 1/2 minutes before bombs away. 11,000 feet altitude, aircraft 43-37865 was hit by a burst of flak and number 2 engine was knocked out. Another burst hit escape door by waist. Another burst hit tail and knocked off a large section of it. Ship nosed down, no chutes observed. What happened after it nosed down is not known. North France.

Source: MACR 8073

B-17 43-37865 Crew