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Source:
www.463rd.org
Production-block:
B-17G-50-DL: 44-6251 to 44-6500
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 463rd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 775th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 14020
History of
B-17 44-6418 / Mary Lou II
Delivered Hunter 31/7/44; Dow Fd 10/8/44; Assigned 775BS/463BG Celone 19/8/44; Missing in Action Fortezza 20/4/45 with Warren Turner (POW), Co-pilot: Arthur Teel (POW), Navigator: Stephen Hutnik (POW), Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Alfred Campoli (POW), Radio Operator: William Horner (EVD), Ball turret gunner: Cosmo Fospero (EVD), Waist gunner: Edward Sanderson (EVD), Waist gunner: David Elston (EVD),Tail gunner: Carlo Huber (EVD); Bombardier: Howard Thayne (KIA); flak, crashed Merano; Missing Air Crew Report 14020. MARY LOU II.
Last updated: 19. March 2022
B-17 44-6418 / Mary Lou II Details
Eywitness Statements to the loss B-17G 44-6418 ‘Mary Lou II’
At 1240 o’clock on April 20, 1945, Charlie 7 or B-17 No. 44-6418 was hit by flak at 46°47′ N 10°42′ E and was seen to be losing gas and altitude rapidly. The ship was under control but quickly lost the formation because of lack of altitude and airspeed. The ship had not crashed when last seen.
1Lt. Jerome C. Kegel
Navigator
B-17 #44-6418 was flying normal No. 7 spot on the bomb run, on the left wing of No. 6 in Charlie squadron. We were making the second run on the primary target when the ship was apparently hit and faded rapidly back into Baker squadron immediately behind. Baker had to dive in order to avoid 418. Just as the ship was over the latter squadron it dropped its bombs and was seen a few minutes later to peel off to the left, losing altitude rapidly. Nothing more was seen by me.
S/Sgt. Ralph K. Johnsen
At approximately 1240 o’clock on April 20, while circling near the Brenner Pass, aircraft number 44-6418, flying as Charlie 7, fell out of position after encountering close flak bursts. Flying almost directly behind Charlie 7, I saw several flak bursts extremely close to the plane. A few seconds later I noticed fuel pouring off the right wing and at that time the plane fell out of position, seemingly under control. The last time I saw the ship it settled down under our formation.
2Lt. George N. Glass
Pilot
Source: MACR 14020
B-17 44-6418 / Mary Lou II Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Warren H. Turner | POW | - |
| CP | F/O | Arthur W. Teel | POW | - |
| NAV | S/SGT | Stephen E. Hutnick, Jr. | POW | - |
| BOMB | S/SGT | Howard J. Thayne | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Alfred Campoli | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Cosmo F. Fospero | EVD | - |
| BT | S/SGT | William J. Horner, Jr. | EVD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | David W. Elston | EVD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Edward A. Sanderson | EVD | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Carl R. Huber | EVD | - |
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