44-8191

media-37706.jpeg UPL 37706 B-17G-50-VE #44-8191
2nd BG - 429th BS - 15th AF

Object Number - UPL 37706 - B-17G-50-VE #44-8191 2nd BG - 429th BS - 15th AF

Delivered Dallas 5/7/44; Langley 28/7/44; Grenier 12/9/44; Assigned 429BS/2BG PFF Amendola 15/9/44; Missing in Action Ruhland 22/3/45 with Pilot Andrew F. Crane; Co-pilot: Paul M. Honke (2POW both strafed on way down); Navigator: George W. Betchley; Bombardier: James S. Barnett; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Donald A. Dorman; Radio Operator: Daniel P. Dunkerley, m/op Donald F. Maine; Right Waist gunner: Robert A. Keuchel; Left Waist gunner: Rae G. DeMatteis; Tail gunner: Stephen J. Fatur (8 Killed in Action); flak, two engines out, crashed Linz; Missing Air Crew Report 13248.

After liberation from a POW camp in Germany Capt. Andrew F. Crane stated : “We left the formation just after dropping bombs on the target. We flew eight miles to 10 miles N. of Breslau then bailed out. I personally saw five chutes, and other crew members bailed out five minutes previously. Dorman, Betchley, Barnett, Honke, and myself bailed out after other crew members had bailed out a few minutes before. No members were in the plane when it crashed as far as I know. Saw bombardier, navigator, co-pilot and engineer jump. Others were informed to jump three minutes before we jumped. Germans couldn’t find any in the aircraft and asked me if I knew their whereabouts.

I saw none of the crew on the ground or anywhere except five descending chutes. My co-pilot and I found each other at German Headquarters. Both he and I were strafed in our chutes by Me-109s. I heard gunfire continually and assume other crew members were killed by strafing or in attempting to make the Russian lines.

At German Headquarters I saw a picture of Betchley (escape picture which we all carried) and dog tags of Dorman and Dunkerley. I saw Dorman and Betchley bail out. As I see it, they were definite victims of strafing. The co-pilot was strafed four times. He oscillated his chute and managed to only sustain a grazing from a machine gun bullet. I was strafed twice."

Connections

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Units served with

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 5th Bomb Wing 2nd Bomb Group 429th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Love Field, Dalas, Texas 5 July 1944

Assigned

Amendola Airfield, Italy 15 September 1944 2nd BG 429 BS 15 AF

Other

Shot Down

Linz, Austria 22 March 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman's "B-17 Flying Fortress Story"
MACR 13248
NARA's WWII Enlistement records
NARA' WWII POW records

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

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