B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-6095 / Fort Worth Gal

History of
B-17 44-6095 / Fort Worth Gal

Delivered Tulsa 29/4/44; Kearney 4/5/44; Dow Fd 21/5/44; Assigned: 533BS/381BG [VP-N] Ridgewell 26/5/44; {30m} MIA Gaggenau 10/9/44 Pilot: Ernest Germano, Co-Pilot: Jim Grey, Navigator: Richard A. Tierney, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Ed Spaniol, Radio Operator: Bill Shally, Ball Turret Gunner: John Diedrich, Waist Gunner: Cloyd Goody, Alex Donaldson (8POW); Tail Gunner: Harry Siders (KIA); flak, crashed Neibsheim, Ger; MACR 8906. FORT WORTH GAL.

Last updated: 7. July 2022

B-17 44-6095 / Fort Worth Gal Details

Photo taken 4 days before B-17 get lost.

Statements of Eyewitnesses

I, Sgt. Williams D. Dangerfield, was acting as Ball Turret Gunner in Aircraft No. 43-37561, 533rd Bomb. Sq. (H), which was flying in the left wing position in the same flight with Lt. Germano’s Aircraft, on the 10th September of 1944, when Lt. Germano was reported as missing.

When I first noticed Lt. Germano ot of formation, he was flying at a 90° angle to our formation to the rear. His number 1, 2, and 3 engines were smoking. He flew along in normal flight until he disappeared from my view.

I, Sgt. Robert E. Tyler, was acting as Waist Gunner in Aircraft No. 43-37561, 533rd Bomb. Sq. (H), which was flying in the left wing position in the same flight with Lt. Germano’s Aircraft, on the 10th of September 1944, when I saw Lt. Germano peel out of formation.

He banked off to the right at 90° from the formation, then he made another 180° turn and flew directly across the back of our formation. He flew along until he was out of my sight. Three engines were smoking when I last saw him.

B-17 44-6095 / Fort Worth Gal Crew