B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-6423

History of
B-17 44-6423

Delivered Kearney 3/8/44; Grenier 10/8/44; Assigned 840BS/483BG Sterparone 16/8/44; Missing in Action Vienna 21/1/45 with Bob Grossman, Escardo, Daniels, Keane, LeClair, Taxel, Gourley, Baker, Sparks, White (10 evaded capture – ret 30/3/45); severe flak damage; crashed 10-15km north of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Missing Air Crew Report 11273.

Last updated: 7. May 2025

B-17 44-6423 Details

Eyewitness Statements

While flying through the overcast, at approximately 1400, I heard Airplane 44-6423 calling Airplane 44-8018, but was apparently unable to contact them. I then called 423 and asked them if I could help them out. Airplane 44-6423 answered me and asked me to give them a call when we changed our heading. I answered and said I would do that. I noticed at the time that we were flying a heading of 210. About five minutes after I had completed the original call to 423, I decided to check on their heading. I made several calls but was unable to raise them. Shortly after that we broke out of the haze into the clear.

When we changed our heading to approximately 190° I tried again to contact 423, but without any success. I tried several times after that but was unable to contact them. Since we were then in the clear, and had been for some time, I assumed that they were clear and I didn’t try to establish contact after that.

1Lt. John H. Malkames
Pilot of a/c 44-6794

On the bomb run airplane 44-6423 was flying #5 under complete control of pilot and bombs were dropped at the primary (Vienna Lebau) 27,800 feet – 1257 hours with flak moderate till then. Group rallied left with flak (105 mostly) following us and bracketing us in for five minutes. At that time #423 was about 600 yards back of formation at 5:30 level. At 1313, Squadron and Group changed course north of Bratislava (27,500 ft) to course of 160° at which #423 regained #5 position.

At 1317 Group changed course to 189° with #423 still in #5, four fans going and showing no evident battle damage. At 1330 north of Gyer, changed to course of 179°, #423 still ok (22,500 ft). At 1345, just north of West tip of Lake Balaton, Group changed course to 190° with #405 dropping out of #4 position due to engine trouble. We in #317 switched from #6 to #4 position.

Airplane 44-6423 was starting to trail a bit behind, maintaining altitude, at this time. They also called #018 and asked advice concerning fuel consumption (their’s was very low) and asked also for a fix. Their oxygen at the time was also down to fifty pounds per square inch.

We were at 20,000 feet at 1345. Immediately thereafter, we descended to 18,000, flying thru the feathery haze of the top of the 10/10 undercast. Airplane #423 had pulled up and to the side at 0300 and was descending also. At 1400 visibility became restricted to 500 to 600 yards and #423 was lost to our view.

Position was the Yugoslavian-Hungarian Border (4608N-1704E) altitude 18,000, course N69°. Airplane #423 was paralleling our course.

2Lt. William W. Naumann
Navigator of #317

At about 1330 I heard airplane 44-6423 calling Airplane 44-8018. The pilot of #423 stated that he was low on oxygen, and intended to let down. At that time he was about a thousand yards behind the formation and gradually falling behind.

A short while later #423 again called #018 and asked for a heading. He said he was about ten miles behind the formation. He asked for #018 to notify him when #018 turned so he could also turn. Airplane 44-6423 said that his oxygen was down to about fifty pounds.

At that time we were at about 18,000 feet in a gradual let down. Although several attempts were made to contact #423 I never heard him again.

2Lt. Ira Giefer
Co-Pilot #288

Source: MACR 11273

B-17 44-6423 Crew