Production-block:
B-17G-50-DL: 44-6251 to 44-6500
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 301st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 353rd Bomb Squadron
MACR: 9667
History of
B-17 44-6263
Delivered Hunter 21/6/44; Dow Fd 3/7/44; Assigned 353BS/301BG Lucera 10/7/44; Missing in Action Vienna 7/11/44 with George Kulp, Haner, Rushmore,Dyer, Smith, Zamorsky, Sebesta(7 Returned to Duty); Gourney, Waites, Aitcheson (3 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Rehitsch; seven evade & return; Missing Air Crew Report 9667.
Last updated: 22. August 2021
B-17 44-6263 Details
Witnesses’ Statements:
(1) I was flying left waist gun position on A/C # 2105, 1-3, in the lead squadron, After the second time over the target, I saw a B-17 go out toward 9 o’clock, level at first, but losing altitude. Our tail gunner counted fire (5) chutes come out whom it was about at three hundred (300) yards. At about four hundred fifty (450) yards, black smoke started pouring out of it. The airplane then went iato a left hand spin, rapidly losing altitude. As it hit the ground or else directly before it hit the ground, it blew up.
S/Sgt. John F. Elsen
Left Waist Gunner on A/C #42-32105
Pilot Lt. Henry. W. Bried
(2) I saw five chutes came from A/C #44-6263 and it went into a spin and crashed. I think everyone could have gotten out of it they weren’t hit. It pulled out of formation and went out at 9 o’clock.
S/Sgt. James F. Newberry
Tail Gunner on A/C 42-32105
Pilot Lt. Henry. W. Bried
(3) I was flying left wist gun position on A/C # 728 in the 10 position of the lead squadron. While going over the target I counted six (6) parachutes drift toward our tail. I did not see the airplane from which they bailed out since the weather was rather bad. Previously, one of the crew reported A/C # 265 seemingly in distree and pulling out of formation toward our left. It was from this same direction that I saw the parachutes drift.
S/Sgt. Frank D. Gwozdz
Waist Gunner on A/C #728
Pilot 1Lt. Robert. S. Webb
Source: MACR 9667
B-17 44-6263 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | George R. Kulp | RTD | - |
| CP | 1LT | Eugene W. Haner | RTD | - |
| NAV | F/O | Richard C. Rushmore | RTD | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Gail E. Waites | POW | - |
| RO | SGT | Archie Aitcheson | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Lucien I. Zamorski | RTD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Joseph J. Dyer | RTD | - |
| WG | SGT | Edward J. Smith | RTD | - |
| TG | SGT | Vernon G. Sebesta | RTD | - |
| TOG | SGT | Harold A. Gournay | POW | - |
21. August 2021 access_time 15:58
My grandfather is Archie Aitcheson, RO on this plane. He is 97 years old and just now talking in detail about his experience. For the record, this was the second time he was shot down. The first was on a return mission from Blechhammer on 13. October 1944. They crash-landed on Vis with 1 1/2 engines and a fuselage full of holes. I don’t know the plane number of the first incident but have just returned from the Vis airstrip where it all happened. Thank you for collecting all of this data!
22. August 2021 access_time 16:43
Thank you Scot! I couldn’t find out the s/n of this B-17 too.
22. August 2021 access_time 14:54
The crash site of this aircraft is reported as 46 25’N 15 40’E. This appears to be Podova Solvenia today. I hope this helps!
22. August 2021 access_time 16:44
Thank you for the coordinates. I have added this B-17 to the map. I have a copy of the MACR files.
09. March 2024 access_time 5:18
Scot, Tom (Gail Everett Waites) my step father shared with me that he was shut down on his 7th mission (13 October 1944). He was a prisoner in Stalag Luft IV until the march of April 1945. How brave were these men. Daylight precision bombings taking a high risk to be targeted. Thank you to all that sacrifices for today well being of all of us.