B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-6283 / Betty Lou

History of
B-17 44-6283 / Betty Lou

Delivered Kearney 22/6/44; Grenier 6/7/44; Assigned 773BS/463BG Celone 8/7/44; Missing in Action Berlin 24/3/45 with Tom Tubman, Co-pilot: Alva Stein, Navigator: Rich Proctor, Bombardier: June Herman, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Joe Hammel, Radio Operator: Gordon Brown, Ball turret gunner: Madeen Ludwig, Waist gunner: Jim Swartz, Waist gunner: Maynard Coates,Tail gunner: Bob Power; shot down by jet enemy aircraft, crashed Luckenwalde; Missing Air Crew Report 13278. BETTY LOU.

Last updated: 19. May 2025

B-17 44-6283 / Betty Lou Details

Eyewitness Statements

After flying through the flak at Brux, Baker 4, 5, and 6 fell back and to the left along at approximately same altitude when Baker 5 was attacked by fightres  ME 262s. They made one pass at it and the ship rolled over on its back and into a tight spin. The happened just a few minutes before IP, after we had cleared the flak at Brux.

T/Sgt. Ernest A. Pine
Engineer

After Baker 4, 5, and 6 dropped back and Baker 5 was hit by four ME 262s. It went into a spin and I lost sight of it immediately becuase of the tail of our ship, and I was looking for fighters.

S/Sgt. Willie J. Warren
Tail Gunner

Just previous to leaving the flak area at Brux, Baker 5, Ship 283, dropped out of formation. It lost altitude steadily but seemed to be under control. At this point my attention was drawn to fighters and I lost track of it.

Sgt. Robert F. Stolfi
Ball Turret

Source: MACR 13278

B-17 44-6283 / Betty Lou Crew