Re the gaps , this is quite clear in the Baugher's list.
There were no B-17's with a serial number ??-171##
https://web.archive.org/web/20200205...ls/1944_1.html
Closest would have been in the following.
42-102379 - 102543
42-102544 - 102743
42-102744 - 102978
42-106984 - 107233.
and
42-97101 - assigned RAF as HB764 and then transferred to 388BGin July '44. Force landed November 9th,'44, Salvaged November 28th '44.
Maybe the "44-17101" wa a part number for the Bombsite ?
Or just an error made by a serviceman at the time?