B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-37888

History of
B-17 43-37888

Delivered Cheyenne 1/6/44; Hunter 10/6/44; Presque Is 28/6/44; Assigned: 551BS/385BG [HR- ] Gt Ashfield 1/7/44; MIA Merseburg 2/11/44 Pilot: Hurum Keeler, Edgar Denton, Art Alexander, Glen Kraft, John Ray, Billy Walker, Bob Read, Harry Goetsch (8POW); Harry Weissman (KIA, shot by SS); flak, crashed Sutthausen, Germany. MACR 10155.

Last updated: 17. July 2020

B-17 43-37888 Details

Eyewitness Statement from MACR 5

Aircraft 43-37888 was hit by flak at Halle, Germany. The #1 engine went out but the plane continued in position in it’s section and bombed Halle. Then the section headed due west, at which time the section became seperated from the group. Aricraft lowered it’s wheels and left the section, dropping behind still heading west under control, two engines still going. #1 and #2 props were feathered. At the time the ship was last seen, no chutes had been seen to emerge from the aircraft.

2Lt. Harry Weissman shot and killed by SS soldiers.

Lt. Weissman’s fate based on supposition that he was shot by Germans for refusing to give military information. Germans singled Lt. Weissman out because of his race.

Other crew members stated in their report that Lt. Weiss landed safely with his parachute. About 5 hours after capture, Lt. Weissman was selected by three SS soldiers and taken outside about 100 yards. A few minutes later two shots were heard and since then Lt. Weissman has never been seen or heard again.

B-17 43-37888 Crew