B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-38233 / Sweet and Lovely

History of
B-17 43-38233 / Sweet and Lovely

Delivered Cheyenne 11/7/44; Kearney 19/7/44; Dow Fd 1/8/44; Assigned: 549BS/385BG [XA- ] Gt Ashfield 5/8/44; MIA Darmstadt 24/12/44 Pilot: Larry Vogt, Jim Anding, Vic Hammond, Roy Capwell, Harry Sevick, Dick Rudd, Cliff Canterberry, Bill Johnson (8KIA); Calvin Rhodes (POW); flak, mid air coll w/43-37893 (385BG); crashed Namur, Belgium. MACR 11113.

Last updated: 13. September 2020

B-17 43-38233 / Sweet and Lovely Details

Mid-air-collision with B-17 #43-37893 Betty Jo on 24 December 1944.

Eyewitness Statement to the loss of B-17 43-38233 from MACR 11113

Aircraft 43-38233, flying #4 position in the low section of the 385 “E” squadron, failed to return from the operation of 24 December 1944. Prior to reaching the target area, while over enemy territory, aircraft 43-38233 went out of control after apparently being hit by anti-aircraft fire. It left its proper position. Zooming down and then up into the aircraft that was leading the section. The #2 propellor of the lead aircraft struck 43-38233 and cut it in two at the waist section. A/C 43-38233 then disintegrated and no chutes were observed leaving the wreckage of the aircraft.

B-17 43-38233 / Sweet and Lovely Crew