B-17 aircraft lost en route to the USA

[Larry]

Presumably the 8th Air Force B-17s that flew back across the Atlantic from the UK were only those with crews who had completed a tour and were allowed to fly home? I doubt that B-17 were ever used as transports.

The reason I ask is that in researching details of Pilot Officer Alfred John De Laune Ruttledge DFC RCAF (J/15160) of 138 Sqn, I discovered that he was lost without trace on 15th December 1944 between the Azores and the USA, while hitching a ride home in a B-17 - and yet the USAAF losses for 15th Dec 1944 do not show any likely matches.

I had thought it could have been an RCAF aircraft but none used the B-17 and I doubt that a returning RCAF crew would have been able take their plane home with them.

So can anyone confirm the B-17 aircraft's identity?

[Atcham Tower]

The RCAF did in fact operate some Fortresses. They were used by 168 Heavy Transport Sqdn and started mail runs to/from Prestwick early in 1944. More than that I don't know.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

And the website of the The Canadian Virtual War Memorial list for 15 December 1944 eight airmen of 168 Sqn RCAF that are all commemorated on Ottawa Memorial, so were probably the crew of a transport B-17 lost in the Atlantic.

By the way you man is listed by the above site as a member of 168 Sqn RCAF, not 138 Sqn.

On this site (http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/RCAF_forts_detailed.html), I think I have your aircraft: Fortress III serial 9203
Ex USAAF B-15F-45-VE, serial number 42-6101. Ordered on Purchase Order CA 000115. Taken on strength on 6 December 1943. Used by No. 168 Heavy Transport Squadron, Rockcliffe, for mail flights to Europe and Africa. Lost at sea between Morocco and Azores with 5 crew and 3 passengers, only a few mail bags ever found.
Struck off 7 June 1945, having been lost since 15 December 1944.

[Larry]

Thanks Guys - I was thinking he was listed as a member of 168 Sqn RAF - which flew Typoons etc in NW Europe - when I knew that the pilot was an exceptional pilot with multi-engined experience with Bomber Command, Telecommunications Flying Unit and 138 SD Sqn. So it stands to reason that he would have gone to a Transport Sqn in the RCAF.

[paulmcmillan]

I think this Fortress was in a collison with another aircraft.......

[Larry]

Paul,

Do you mean with another B-17 from 168 Sqn RCAF?

[paulmcmillan]

I am not sure, but I seem to recall it might have been a Dakota from another Sqn, but it could have been another B-17...

But please do not take this as gospel, I was doing it from memory, (I could not find my source) and I was hoping other people could check up for me.. I know I have read an article someowhere from a surviving crewman of the other aircraft.

I think their is reference to this loss in the Book on R.A.F. & RCAF Nose Art in WW II by Clarence Simonsen

Paul

[Larry]

Paul,

Thanks for that lead.

I do not have the book so hopefully another member can check

[paulmcmillan]

Larry, sorry got my 168 Sqn Fortress's mixed up on 23rd Jan 1944 9205 was in collision with Wellington JA268. The Wellington was lost but the Fortress made a safe landing at Predannack. However, some of the crew of this aircraft were subsequently lost on 9203. Crew consisted:
F/L Alfred John De Laune Ruttledge J15160 DFC & Bar and Dutch Flying Cross, F/Lt Horace Brougham Hillcoat C21305 AFC, AFM, F/Lt Frederick Blair La Brish J4763 AFC, F/O Cecil Alexander Dickson J10870 AFC, Cpl Robert Emerson Bruce R192653, F/L William Stewart Pullar DFC J18049, F/L Douglas Haig Sharpe J11485/R93813 and F/L William Laurel Wilson C12659

The book has a list of all 168 Sqn Fortresses and all it says for Vega built B-17F 9203 42-6101 was that it crashed into sea 15th Dec 1944.

From another source I have the aircraft went missing between French Morocco and the Azores while carrying mail.