Production-block:
B-17G-55-VE: 44-8201 to 44-8300
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 100th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 350th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: XR-B
MACR: 12892
History of
B-17 44-8220
Delivered Dallas 12/7/44; Langley 7/8/44; Hunter 27/8/44; Dow Field 18/9/44; Assigned 350BS/100BG [XR-B] Thorpe Abbotts as PFF 20/9/44; Missing in Action Brunswick 3/3/45 with Jack Thrasher, Cecil Baker, Lt Willis McGuire (3 Killed in Action); Chas Bayha, Gerald Rimmel, Harry Bott, Tom Browning, Albt Egsieker, Ray Muffley (6 Prisoner of War); hit by jet enemy aircraft which caught fire and snapped off after explosion, crashed Dettum, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 12892.
Last updated: 20. February 2020
B-17 44-8220 Details
A/C #44-8220 was attacked by one of six jet fighters which made a pass at the formation at 1018 hours over the target just before bombs away. #1 engine was hit and burst into flames. Bomb bay doors were closed and A/C slid away to the left. The left wing crumpled and the A/C flipped over on its back and exploded. The fuselage broke at the waist door and both wings fell away. One chute was seen to leave the A/C before it exploded. Later four ethers were counted. Pilot was seen in cockpit thirtiy seconds before explosion.
B-17 44-8220 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Jack W. Thrasher | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Charles S. Bayha | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Gerald A. Rimmel | POW | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Harry F. Bott | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Thomas C. Browning | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Albert L. Egsieker | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Raymond U. Muffley | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Cecil A. Baker | KIA | - |
| RCM | 1LT | Willis R. McGuire | KIA | - |
19. February 2020 access_time 22:38
The 100th BG Foundation shows this plane with the 418th Bomb Squadron
https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=aircraft&id=10427&Itemid=326
20. February 2020 access_time 10:25
Thank you.
The MACR 12892 said, this B-17 was assined to 349th at the time, when it failed to return.
Only Co-Pilot was from 418th BS.
11. November 2023 access_time 2:07
ENG/TT Tom Browning was my great uncle. From what I’ve been able to learn this was the crews 7th mission and their B-17 was one of the first ones lost to a jet. He described the jet that shot them down as being so fast he couldn’t get his guns on it.