Crash B-17 near Wildeshausen/Germany 6th marsch 1943

[Dötlingen 1961]

Hello everyone!
I am looking for information about a crash of a B-17 bomber on March 6, 1943 near Wildeshausen (approx. 40 km southwest of Bremen / Germany).
Can someone help or can give addresses to which I can turn.
Thank you
Karsten

[RSwank]

How sure are you of the date? Could it have been March 6, 1944 instead of 1943 for example.

On March 6, 1943 the 8th AF was bombing Lorient and Brest in France:

http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii...ml/Mar.43.html

[Heuser]

I assume the date was in fact 6th of march 1944 and regarding the Boeings of the 3rd BD:


Thölstedt: B-17G, Serial No. 42-38024, 95.BG, 336.BS (MACR 2984)
Hölingen: B-17F, Serial No. 42-3529, 95.BG, 336.BS (MACR 2979)
Goldenstedter Heide: B-17G, Serial 42-39793, 95.BG, 412.BS (MACR 2985)
Colnrade: B-17F, Serial No. 42-30170, 100.BG, 349.BS (MACR 3015)
Hollwedel: B-17F, Serial No. 42-30799, 100.BG, 349.BS (MACR 3017)
Aschenbeck: B-17G, Serial No. 42-38044, 100.BG, 351.BS (MACR 3026)


Regards,


Heuser

[Dötlingen 1961]

Thank you for the fast answer!
Does this mean that 6 planes crashed in area on March 6, 1944?
Is there more information about the crash in Thölstedt?

What does 3rd BD mean?

Best wishes
Karsten

[RSwank]

The Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) are available from the National Archives.

Here is the report on 42-38024, MACR 2984.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/90933826


3rd BD is the 3rd Bomb Division within the 8th AF.

Scroll way down to the MARCH 1944 chart to see how the 8th was organized at that time.

http://www.8thafhs.com/charts.php

[Rottler]

Hello Karsten,

the 3rd Bombardment Division (= 3rd BD) lost these six planes in the area Wildeshausen. The seventh loss was the B-17 G 42-38197 (100th BG, 350th BS, MACR 3028) at Halter near Visbek.

Regards
Leo