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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-40-DL: 44-6001 to 44-6125
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 322nd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LG-Q
MACR: 5980 / KSU/ME/KU: 2314
History of
B-17 44-6117
Delivered Tulsa 6/5/44; Hunter 16/5/44; Dow Fd 24/6/44; Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-Q] Bassingbourn 27/5/44; Missing in Action Berlin 21/6/44 with Bob O’Bannon, Co-pilot: Tom Fitzgerald, Navigator: Nathan Bartman, Bombardier: Arnold Ostwald, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Irvin Lewis, Radio Operator: Ben Goldman, Ball turret gunner: Herb McCutchan, Waist gunner: Joe Fioretti (8 Prisoner of War);Tail gunner: Amos Estrada (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed inlake at Castle Stolzenburg,nt Politz, 14 miles NW of Stettin, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 5980.
Last updated: 19. September 2021
B-17 44-6117 Details
Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17 #44-6117
Aircraft B-17G #44-6117 was last seen just prior to the I.P. at which time we were attacked from the rear, by approximately 50 enemy fighter planes. Subject aircraft was hit by 20 MM shells in the wing tip where fire started. Aircraft #44-6117 immediately salvoed bombs and peeled off and down to the left of formation.
The fighter had been hit by fire from aircraft 44-6117 and peeled off to the right, his left engine was on fire. Subject aircraft was observed for several minutes and a total of six (6) parachutes were seen to leave the plane. When last seen the aircraft was apparently under control at about 15,000 feet, but losing altitude.
Sgt. Gerald F. Gillies (1)
Aircraft B-17G #44-6117 was hit by fire from enemy aircraft in the trailing edge of left wing back of number 2 engine and in the left aerilon and left horizontal stabilizer. Subject aircraft dropped below the formation, on fire, and then out of sight.
This occurred at about 0932 hours at position 5330N & 1340E. No parachutes were seen to come from the aircraft.
1Lt. Charles T. Walby (2)
Source: MACR 5980
(1) KIA 08 August 1944: B-17 42-31367 / Chow-Hound
(2) KIA 20 July 1944: B-17 43-37819 / B.T.O aka Mr Five X
B-17 44-6117 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Robert E. O'Bannon | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Thomas J. Fitzgerald | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Nathan L. Bartman | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Arnold J. Ostwald | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Irvin E. Lewis | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Benjamin Goldman | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Herbert S. McCutchan | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Joe Fioretti, Jr. | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Amos F. Estrada | KIA | - |
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