B - 17 shot down Nov.17, 42

[shooshoobaby]

On November 17 , 1942 a B - 17 from the 97th BG # 22969 may have been shot down over Bay of Biscay , probably by a JU - 88. The B - 17 ditched in the Bay , General Asa Duncan was aboard , all KIA.
Can anyone confirm this? Any help appreciated!
Cheers,
Mike

[paul peters]

See MACR 15097 according the B-17 Flying Fortress Story.
Paul

[Chris Goss]

I have no claim by V/KG 40

[John P Cooper]

The information I have on this is that 8 B-17's from the 342st BS 97th BG took off the morning of the 17th each with a high ranking officer. (Gen .Spaatz and Brig Gen. Asa N. Duncan)

The flight leader was Maj. J.M. Knox (SQ CO) They were supposed to stop at Gibraltar for a shakedown inspection of the men and equiptment before the move to Algeria.

According to a report by Lt. Taylor he saw fire comming from Maj. Knox's plane (right wing). The end result was that the B-17 41-25969 crashed into the sea. The location was about 90 miles west of Brest @ 47 degrees 56 minutes North, 7 degrees 18 minutes West according the the S.O.S that was sent.

Brig. Gen. Duncan was lost in the crash.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

John

[shooshoobaby]

Paul,Chris,John - Thanks for replys. You and other sources have confirmed it was an accident - A/C crashed due to fire.
Cheers