Source:
M. McNew via email
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Douglas |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-50-DL: 44-6251 to 44-6500 |
| Delievered: | Kearney |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 463rd Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 774th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR: | 13640 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (05 April 1945) |
History of
B-17 44-6394 / Oh, My Achin Back
Delivered Kearney 25/7/44; Grenier 8/8/44; Assigned 774BS/463BG Celone 15/8/44; Missing in Action Udine 5/4/45 with Wilbur Wetzel, Co-pilot: Dave Rummel, Navigator: Jack Begley, Bombardier: John Van Kirk, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: A.J.Steffanelli, Waist gunner: Bill McPherson, Waist gunner: Bob Puckett,Tail gunner: Jim Mitchell (8RTD/POW?); Radio Operator: Marshall Moore, Ball turret gunner: Paul Walmer (2 Killed in Action); flak, ditched Adriatic; Missing Air Crew Report 13640. OH, MY ACHING BACK.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 44-6394 / Oh, My Achin Back Details
Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17 44-6394 / Oh, My Achin Back
On April 5, 1945 the squadron was on the bomb run when the pilot of my plane which was flying # 7 told us he saw what appeared to be a direct flak hit on plane # 394 just before bombs away.
The # 5 (394) plane immediately began falling back and losing altitude and we instructed our tail gunner to watch him as far as he could.
The tail gunner in our plane had the best view of him and said that # 5 (394) plane lost altitude extremely fast and while at first he flew the same direction as the formation he appeared to change his heading and start south towards sea. The approximate coordinate of the plane when it was heading south and when last seen were 45-46N 13-31E. He was flying very low not more than 5000 feet.
The tail gunner lost sight of # 5 (394) then but is quite certain he did not reach the sea since he claims he would have been able too see the plane with the water as a background and he assumes that the ship turned before reaching the water.
2Lt. Thomas J. Spillane
Navigator, B-17 #192
April 5, 1945 ship # 394 flying Charley 5 position seemed to be hit just prior to bombs away. The pilot of # 394 called in saying he was going to try to make Zara. According to his statement he had two engines with no manifold pressure, one engine with manifold pressure leaving one engine still in good operation. Flying Charley 3 position I had the crew watch ship # 394 as long as possible.
He was losing altitude rapidly but ship was under control. We last saw him on the coast of the Adriatic headed for Zara. This was approx. 15 minutes after leaving the target.
1Lt. George R. Campbell
Pilot, B-17 #401
Leaving the target I saw ship # 394 go down slowly, under control, to the right of our formation. Ship #394 went down the edge of the Adriatic, and continued until they went out of my sight.
S/Sgt. Lewis Sowell
Tail Gunner, B-17 #250
B-17 44-6394 / Oh, My Achin Back Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Wilbur C. Wetzel | UNK | - |
| CP | 2LT | David G. Rummel | UNK | - |
| NAV | F/O | Jack W. Begley | UNK | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | John N. Van Kirk | UNK | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Anthony J. Steffanelli | UNK | - |
| RO | SGT | Marsshall G. Moore | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Paul A. Walmer | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Robert L. Puckett | UNK | - |
| WG | SGT | William F. McPherson | UNK | - |
| TG | SGT | James L. Mitchell | UNK | - |
This page was last updated on 11 July 2026
29. October 2025 access_time 20:12
DONALD BRUCE TORPY AS ON OH MY ACHING BACK AND TAKEN PRISIONER