14/02/1945 B-17 crash near Y-32 Ophoven airfield (Belgium)

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,

The report made by 1Lt. Hartley (Group Stat Officer) of 370 FG for the mission Oprep No.290 (Operation No. V 89-9) for 14/02/1945 mentions that a B-17 was seen to crash 5 miles ne of field - 6 chutes – and flying control was notified. (Source: AFHRA reel B0343 p.505).

Any additional information available ?

Many thanks in advance.

Best regards

Luc

[Buckeye30]

May be 42-97980 LF-X (379BG) crash-landed near Liege on the 14th. ?



Nick

[Luc Vervoort]

Nick,

Thanks for the reply.

Checked the mission summary of 379 BG for 14 feb 1945, which mentions : 1st Lt.James H.Brown (pilot), 1st Lt. Joseph D.Smith, jr., 2nd Lt. John F.Payleitner, and T/Sgt. William J.Adams, all of the 526th, were killed when their aircraft crashed during a forced landing on the continent on the return trip. (source: AFHRA reel B0366 p.1313).
Liège is approx. 45 km south of Ophoven.
So it must probably be another plane.
A lot of B-17’s ended (or landed) that day on the Continent….

Best regards

Luc

[Buckeye30]

Hi Luc. These are the B-17s lost on the 14th....
Nick


http://www.b17flyingfortress.de/en/s...ate/14-02-1945

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the list.

Best regards

Luc

[Buckeye30]

Luc have you seen this map in the museum ? the other link is RAF.


Nick



https://wwii-netherlands-escape-line...es-in-belgium/


https://www.belgians-remember-them.eu/crash.php

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi Nick,

Many thanks for the links.

The map in the museum is not complete, as it was made some years ago and a lot new information has become available.

Working on the list you kindly supplied.

Best regards

Luc