B 17G 42-31349 crashed in The Baltic Sea 24/2 1944

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B 17G 42-31349 crashed in The Baltic Sea 24/2 1944.

The aircraft belonged to USAAF, 8 Air Force, 385 Bomb Group, 550 Bomb Squadron.
T/O Gl.Ashfield. OP: Rostock.

On its way to the target the formation was attacked by two JU 88 fighters firing rockets. 42-31349 which was named “Stars & Stripes Second Edition” was hit and lost an engine. It dropped 1000 feet below the formation and was attacked by three German fighters which set the number three engine on fire. The aircraft was last seen at 13:38 hours when it was gliding towards cloud cover with a JU 88 and a ME 110 following it. Seven parachutes were seen.

(Via Finn Buch)

It is believed that it was claimed by Maj. Rolf Leuchs of Stab II./NJG 6 who claimed a B 17 15 km. N.E. of Warnemünde at 3.500 m at 13.44 hours.

(Via Finn Buch)

Tail Gunner S/Sgt Raymond F. Malmfelt standing no. 2 from right

Left Waist Gunner S/Sgt Raymond F. Malmfelt was found washed ashore at Østersødiget near Dannemare Høje on the island of Lolland on 14/10 1944. The Wehrmacht buried him near the spot where he was found. Some time in April 1945 a Danish priest officiated at the graveside ceremony and on 18/4 1945 local people from Nakskov erected a memorial stone. His remains were disinterred on 27/4 1948 and were evacuated to the American cemetery at Neuville en Condron in Belgium by the US military. Today he rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mas-peth, New York, USA.

Navigator 2nd Lt Charles W. Dickman was found washed ashore near Seestadt, Rostock and was laid to rest in Seestadt New Cemetery on 26/4 1944. His remains were disinterred after the war and were evacuated to the American cemetery at Neuville en Condron in Belgium by the US military where he rest today.

Pilot Cpt Clarence S. MclLveen was in 1961 laid rest in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon USA. It should be noted that he also appears on Tablets of the Missing at Margraten, Netherlands.

(Via Finn Buch)

Bombardier 1st Lt William D. Williams have no known grave and is commemorated on the tablets of the missing Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, Netherlands.

Right Waist Gunner S/Sgt Jean A. Mahoney have no known grave and is commemorated on the tablets of the missing Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, Netherlands.

Radio Operator/ Gunner T/Sgt Charles E. Rotunda today rest in The Ardennes American cemetery at Neupre, Belgium. He is believed to have been found in late March 1944.

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt John Lapczynsky have no known grave and are commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.

Top Turret Gunner T/Sgt John D. Scarbrough have no known grave and are commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.

Ball Turret Gunner S/Sgt Donald G. Rigg have no known grave and are commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.

Tail Gunner S/Sgt Edward A. Barrett have no known grave and is commemorated at Tablets of the missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.

Sources: MACR, RL 19/458, Nonnenmacher File, FB, TW, FAF, ABMC, Finn Buch.

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