| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-40-DL: 44-6001 to 44-6125 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 95th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 336th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | ET-N |
| MACR | 7700 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (04 August 1944) |
| Missions: | 23 |
History of
B-17 44-6098
Delivered Tulsa 2/5/44; Kearney 10/5/44; Grenier 27/5/44; Assigned 336BS/95BG [ET-N] Horham 30/5/44; 23m, battle damaged Hamburg 4/8/44 with Bob Hamilton, Navigator: Chas Shippe, Bombardier: Jack Sternback, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Oliver Schriner, Radio Operator: Rolla Kilgore, Ball turret gunner: Ken Barnett, Waist gunner: Harvey Kastner,Tail gunner: John Brogan (8 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Alphonse Kech (Killed in Action); flak KO’d #3, crashed Poggemuhlen, SW of Bremervorde, Ger, Missing Air Crew Report 7700.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 44-6098 Details
Statement by David E. Olsson, Captain, Asst.Operations Officer:
“B-17G 44-6098, piloted by 2nd Lt Robert W. Hamilton, was seen to be hit by flak at 1330 hours at 53⁰ 28’N, 10⁰ 00’E. The aircraft began to drop out of formation about one minute after bombs away. Fire began in no.3 engine, spreading over the right wing and then the left wing. Four chutes were seen to come out and one delayed jump. At this time 1340 hours at 53⁰ 20’N, 09⁰ 05’E at about 23,000 feet altitude the aircraft exploded.”
Surviving crew member reports indicate that 5 crew members bailed out prior to the explosion. The pilot, bombardier and engineer were thrown clear through the explosion of the plane. Their chutes were opened by the force of the blast. All 8 survived and ended up POW. Alphonse J. Kech was at the controls when the plane exploded. He was found dead in the wreckage.
This page was last updated on 10 August 2018
05. June 2024 access_time 18:11
My father Ralla Kilgore was the radio operator on this aircraft and survived the war after being held as POW
Does anyone have any additional crew info, maybe a picture? I have a photo of the aircraft from an earlier mission landing with a parachute out the door to aid stopping.
Thank you
05. June 2024 access_time 18:13
‘Rolla Kilgore’ correct spelling-edit