B-17F shot down in North Africa

[kaki3152]

Carlos Herrera, c'est moi.

Martin, you're right, the other picture clearly shows the serial number.
From the time period, I would guess a 301st or 97th BG B-17, with a possibility of the 99th BG.

Could be a replacement rudder but remember the golder rule of aviation history research:
"Verify all printed sources"

Just another WWII mistery.

[CJE]

Let's sum up.
This B-17F, assuming that it IS its own tail (and not borrowed to another), was diverted from 8th AF 303rd BG to AFSC on 19.03.43 (or 03.19.43 for our American readers). Destroyed in a way or another in Tunisia (the road and the poles nearby could suggest an attempted crash-landing), a campaign that ended early May.
Thus, these facts limit the scope to a period extending from 20.03.43 to late April (assuming PK photographers were taken home before the final surrender).
I also checked the MACRs, none was filled for 42-5357.

[robert]

Hi,


found in Internet. So caption gives 11.03.43.



Regards

Robert

[CJE]

P-40 Warhawk Aces of the MTO, by C. Molesworth (Osprey #43).

[Chase and Gray of 33rd FG] were flying over enemy-held territory between Gabès and El-Guettar on 5 January 1943, when they spotted an apparently undamaged B-17 being towed along a road. Although they did not know it at the time, the four-engined American bomber had force-landed nearby after becoming lost on a ferry flight to North Africa. Captured by the Germans, the aeroplane was being towed toward a Luftwaffe base when the P-40 pilots found it.
Chase and Gray did not like the idea of the B-17 falling into enemy hands, so they dove earthward with guns blazing and strafed the bomber until it caught fire and burned to a hulk.

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

So one of a possible ten that were lost en-route to the MTO in 1943.

Anyone have a list of serial numbers ?

Alex

[CJE]

I suspect it was actually flying to the CBI theatre. AFSC had - AFAIK - only bases in India, Burma and China.
What happened to the crew? No MACR was filled though the plane landed deep in German-held territory.

[Philippe Cépé]

Hi CJE

How are you my friend ?

It seem to be more difficult to identified correctly this famous Flying Fort ! Incredible !

I have exactely the same problem with an P-51 "B"... at Toulon since many years now.

Have a fun

*Cépé*