B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-8303

History of
B-17 44-8303

Delivered Lincoln 4/8/44; Bangor 20/8/44; Grenier 22/8/44; Assigned 4BS/34BG (Q6-K) Mendlesham 24/8/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 28/9/44 with Seraphin Schwartz, Co-pilot: Dick Eike, Bombardier: Ira McBee, tog-Bennett Rentz, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Les Baker, Radio Operator: Dave Payne,Tail gunner: Henry Douglas (7 Killed in Action); Navigator: Tom Smith, Waist gunner: Earl Walters (2 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Broichweiden, near Aachen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 9368.

Last updated: 19. June 2017

B-17 44-8303 Details

Sustained a direct flak hit between #2 engine and the fuselage, immediately bursting into flames which envelope the entire plane. The plane pulled out of the formation, saving other aircraft in the formation, and went into a spin. The aircraft exploded after about three turns at about 12,000 feet. Some crews saw maybe two chutes.