B-17 44-6915 Brussels, Feb 14, 1944 (379th BG)
 

Hello,

B17G s/n 44-6915 (379th BG, 524th BS) crashed Brussels, Belgium Feb 14, 1945.

Can anyone provide me with more details?
Has anybody got the crew manifest (loading list)for B-17 s/n 44-6915, Feb 14th 1945?
What was the crew’s fate. Were they all safe?
Is anybody able to tell me where exactly this plane crashed? Was it at Brussels itself or in a village located in the vicinity of Brussels. Did it crash at an airfield near Brussels or in open country side? Was it a
controled belly landing?

I thank you in advance for your kind help
Dirk

Re: B-17 44-6915 Brussels, Feb 14, 1944 (379th BG)
 

Dirk,
There is a discrepancy somewhere. B-17 #44-6915 survived the war to be salvaged at Kingman, Arizona after the war. The only B-17 from the 379th BG that was lost on 2/14/1945 was # 43-39147. Please recheck the date, BG, or serial number. Let me know if I can be of further help.
Kind Regards,
Hugh

Re: B-17 44-6915 Brussels, Feb 14, 1944 (379th BG)
 

Hugh,

Thanks, I found the data regarding 44-6915 on Joe Baugher’s website
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/1944_1.html

43-39147 (379th BG, 527th BS) hit by AAA Feb 14, 1945 and crashed in Elsenborn, Belgium. 2 KIA, 7 POW. MACR 1233.

Dirk

Re: B-17 44-6915 Brussels, Feb 14, 1944 (379th BG)
 

Hello,

Roger A. Freeman's book "The B17 Flying Fortress Story" has -
44-6915
Del Lincoln 16/17/44; Dow Fd 23/12/44;ass 524BS/379BG [WA-M] Kimbolton 28/1/45; ret US Bradley 3/7/45; Sth Plains 7/7/45;RFC Kingman 8/11/45.
But
44-8369 a 379BG a/c c/l Bolvoax, Bel; 4 KIA; repaired and returned to Group; transfered to 601BS/398BGas "3O-Z". She ended her days in the US also but at Walnut Ridge.
Those Killed were-
Pilot Lt. James H. Brown
Co-Pilot 2Lt. John F. Payleitner
Bomb Lt. Joseph D. Smith
Top Turret Gunner T/Sgt. Williams J. Adams.

Also 338735 of the 92nd BG crashed at Conderque, Belg named "Flat Top" 8 were killed 1 became pow. .
297980 from the 379th BG crash landed at Leige , Belg 3 KIA, 4 WIA a/c was salved on 13th March 45 339147 as noted earlier crashed at Elsenborn, Belg. 2KIA, 7 pow.
46561 from the 379th BG also came down at Leige, Belg. 3 KIA , 4 WIA a/c returned to Group 19th Feb 45.
and one from the 398th BG at St. Trond, Belg, but no other details given.

Details from "The Mighty Eighth Combat Chronology and the Supplement by Andrew & Adams


Alex

Re: B-17 44-6915 Brussels, Feb 14, 1944 (379th BG)
 

Alex,

Many thanks for the details!

Dirk

Re: B-17 44-6915 Brussels, Feb 14, 1944 (379th BG)
 

Hello Gentlemen ,

Please correct me if i'm wrong , when i checked out the date off death off 2nd Lt Payleitner John F i found february 12 1945.According to me that means that he was aboard off 42-9780 and not 44-8369.
Is this correct ?

Greetings

Alain

Re: B-17 44-6915 Brussels, Feb 14, 1944 (379th BG)
 

Alain,
The Mighty Eighth Roll of Honor by Andrews (usually quite accurate) shows J. F. Payleitner DOD as 14 Feb. 1945. It also shows the a/c as 44-8369.
Regards,
Hugh