ID of crippled B-17
 

Hi all:

Can any USAAF gen men ID the (almost) tail-less B-17 in the attached photograph ? The only info is that the pilot was a 1st Lt John L Hahn. The B-17 was hit shortly after bombs away (presumably by flak) and the tail-gunner's position was blown off.
Initially I thought it was another view of the well-known 100BG B-17 "Hang the Expense II" at Eastchurch on 24 Jan 1944, but the aircraft in the photo returned to base.
I know the 487BG had a B-17 lose much of the tail after a ramming on 7 April 1945, but that aircraft landed on the continent.
Only other possibility I can think of is a 452BG B-17G which overshot at Rattlesden on 8 May 1944 with similar damage, but the pilot of that was a Capt Edward Skurka.

TIA for any assistance on this.

Regards,

BC

Re: ID of crippled B-17
 

Had trouble attaching pic - will try again later

Re: ID of crippled B-17
 

BC,

Probably 398th BG 600th BS. MACR 13869 A/C 44-8811 8 April 1945 Pilot John L. Hahn, TG S/Sgt Wallace E. Kasch, listed MIA. The tail was blown off by flak and the tail gunner was seen to fall without his parachute.

Steve

Re: ID of crippled B-17
 

Steve:

Many thanks for the gen. In view of the fact the picture was "received" on 19 April 1945, and the pilot name tallies, I think there can be little doubt this is our B-17.

I'm still having difficulty uploading the photo, but as soon as I get this sorted I'll post it for you.

As you probably know, the TG in the 100BG aircraft was assumed to have been KIA, yet turned out to have parachuted, injured and was found to be a PoW.

I also did some research into a 303BG B-17 which had the tail gunner "shot off" over Denmark and crashed in Suffolk on return after the remaining crew baled out.

Thanks again.

Regards,

BC