| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-85-BO: 43-38274 to 43-38473 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 447th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 708th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR | 11240 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | 3522 / 3521 |
| Fate: |
, Mid-air collision (30 December 1944) |
History of
B-17 43-38473
Delivered Cheyenne 7/8/44; Lincoln 17/8/44; Grenier 2/9/44; Assigned 708BS/447BG Rattlesden 8/9/44; Missing in Action Kassel 30/12/44 with Bruce Bates, Herb Nachman, George Mixon, Bob Cordell, Jim Toler, Bill Lindsey, Bill Wheeler, Clair Palm, Ben Torre (9 Killed in Action); mid air coll, crashed Stürzenhardt (57km SE of Darmstadt; 57km SW of Würzburg), Germany. Missing Air Crew Report 11240.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 43-38473 Details
B-17 #43-38473 collided with B-17G “Fuddy Duddy” #42-97400 near target on 30 December 1944. Which was believed to be caused by “prop wash”.
Remarks or Eyewitness Statements:
Aircraft #42-97400 and 43-38473 collided at 1502 hours at 5055N-0910E at 26500 feet, in vicinity of I.P. #478 flying in No. 2 position of low section im lead squadron and #400 flying #4 of low section lead squadron. #473 lost altitude and #400 gained altitude at the same time. Reason for this is unknown, but believed prop wash responsible. #400 had fuselage cut into two and went into clouds in uncontrolled spin. Elevators of #473 were sheared off and it, two, disappeared into clouds out of control. No chutes observed from either plane.
Source: MACR 11240
B-17 43-38473 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Bruce E. Bates | KIA | - |
| CP | F/O | Herbert W. Nachman | KIA | - |
| NAV | F/O | George E. Mixon | KIA | - |
| BOMB | F/O | Robert G. H. Cordell | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | James L. Toler | KIA | - |
| RO | SGT | William M. Lindsey | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Bill Wheeler | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Clair E. Palm | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Benjamin D. Torre | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 22 August 2021
04. February 2021 access_time 2:11
If anyone is interested, I have a group picture of this crew and several individual crew member pictures
11. January 2025 access_time 13:03
Hi Robert,
would be glad to receive a crew picture… Thanks, Joerg
26. January 2025 access_time 16:58
Good morning, Robert. I don’t know if this comment will reach you as it’s a couple years after your post. However, if you have pictures of the crew you could send, I would be so grateful. My dad’s brother, my uncle, was on the plane. My dad was just 11 years old when he lost his brother. I appreciate you.
05. February 2024 access_time 2:49
I am the nephew (and namesake) of George Edward Mixon, navigator of B17-G #43-38473 which collided with 42-97400 on December 30, 1944. The mission was to bomb railroad bridges and yards in connection with the Battle of the Bulge. My father was participating in the Battle of the Bulge, driving an ammunition truck, 10th Armored Division.
26. July 2024 access_time 14:02
Hi Edward, I’ve been commissioned to paint a picture of this particular B-17, which I believe was named “Miss Cue” but never officially. Did the 447th carry the letter K on the tail. And any idea which letter code lower down in the tail 43-38473 had?
Thanks, Matthew
http://www.emenyart.com
26. January 2025 access_time 17:05
Good morning, Edward. My father’s brother, my uncle was on the plane with your uncle. My dad was only 11 years old when his brother died, so I never met him. I am wondering if you have any pictures of the crew? I appreciate any help.