| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-45-VE: 44-8001 to 44-8100 |
| Delievered: | Dallas |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 351st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 511th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | DS-B |
| MACR | 8893 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | 2959 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (12 September 1944) |
| Missions: | 14 |
History of
B-17 44-8100
Delivered Dallas 7/6/44; Hunter 17/6/44; Grenier 24/7/44; Assigned 511BS/351BG [DS-B] Polebrook 10/8/44; {13m} battle damaged Brux 12/9/44 with Bill Schmollinger, Co-pilot: Allen Myers, Navigator: Chas Mason, Bombardier: Melvin Stoffes, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Albt Preston, Radio Operator: Bill Ohde, Ball turret gunner: Emelio Flores, Waist gunner: Fred Dingler,Tail gunner: Marvin Ketcherside (9 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Tempelfelde, NE of Bernau, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 8893; Salvaged 9AF Germany 1/5/47.
B-17 44-8100 Details
Scattered, meager, inaccurate flak was encountered along the route especially east of Berlin. Aircraft was attacked heavily by enemy fighters about 10 miles east-north-east of Berlin. Aircraft exploded. No parachutes seen.
Eye Witness Statements
I, Myron C. Anderson, was flying as tail gunner of aircraft No. 43-37571, in No. 1 position of the low squadron, low box, during a mission to Ruhland, Germany, 12 September 1944. The plane piloted by Lt. Schmollinger, was flying to out rear in the same squadron. When we were attacked by enemy fighters before reaching the target I noticed that his plane was hit in what appeared to be the left wing tank. It banked sharply to the right and exploded. I saw no parachutes.
Source: MACR 8893
B-17 44-8100 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | William F. Schmollinger | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Allen N. Myers | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Charles T. Mason | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Melvin W. Stoffes | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Albert R. Preston, Jr. | POW | - |
| RO | SGT | William M. Ohde, Jr. | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Ermilo P. Flores | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Fred H. Dingler | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Marcin F. Ketcherside | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 17 January 2026
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