B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-38000

History of
B-17 43-38000

Delivered: Cheyenne 14/6/44; Kearney 28/6/44; Dow Fd 9/7/44; Assigned: 324BS/91BG [DF-E] Bassingbourn 23/7/44; MIA Halle 16/8/44 Pilot: Resse Lindsay, Albt Perry, Clayton Baugh, Lee Bratcher, John Crabb, John Buxton, Cleo Gates, Bob Schrecengost (8KIA); Lew Morgan (POW); Enemy aircraft & exploded, crashed Lehna, Germany. 8KIA 1POW; MACR 8181.

Last updated: 16. August 2020

B-17 43-38000 Details

Statement of Eyewitnesses from MACR 8181

We were flying in No. 2 position of lead element, altitude 25400 feet, tim 1000 to 1010 hours. At this time we were hit from the rear at 5 o’clock level by approximately 25 enemy fighters. Aircraft B-17-G, 43-38000, was flying straight and level when 20 MM shells started hitting the right wing tip and walked up aling the wing to the fuselage. This set the tanks between No. 3 and 4 engines on fire and flames flared back for about 30 feet. The aircraft then pulled up vertically and about 4 seconds later exploded with bombs on board. This ship disintegrated completely and no parachutes were seen to come from it.

2LT. Edward L. Witty
324th BS; 91st BG

B-17 43-38000 Crew