Hello to all,
can someone of you guys please check the book: "Helton's Hellcats - a pictorial history of the 493rd Bomb Group" for a photo of this B-17s or/and a photo of the crews?
#43-38295 ---> pilot Charles W. Spencer  (863rd BS)
#43-38308 ---> pilot Wesley E. Carter      (860th BS)
Both planes crashed on 12 Sep 1944.
 
Thanks
rauhbautz
 
 
 

I have checked the Index of Helton's Hellcats and unfortunately can NOT find a picture of the forts or crews you mentioned.  The index DOES list the two names but they are just in the list of KIA/POW and Combat Aircraft Losses lists.  Sorry     Craig

What a pity.
Thank you Craig.
 
rauhbautz

Hello Rauhbautz,
 
Just happened to be looking at some of the older postings in the forum and found this one.  I don't have any photos, but here is crew information for both B-17's.
 
B-17G 43-38295
1st LT Charles W Spencer, O-686603, pilot, KIA
1st LT Dawson E Watters, O-810270, co-pilot, KIA
1st LT Harold (NMI) Leibowitz, O-703850, navigator, POW
1st LT Samuel L Cale, O-695283, bombardier, POW
T/Sgt Robert H Bodwell, 39098472, radio operator, KIA
T/Sgt Eugene A Pax, 16155396, engineer, POW
S/Sgt Normal L Carter, 17088684, ball turret gunner, KIA
S/Sgt Vernon J Van Dinter, 16056383, waist gunner, KIA
S/Sgt Buford A Balay, 17077567, tail gunner, POW
 
Here are some comments from MACR 8867 (observations of 1st LT George M Durgin):
 
"FROM ONE TO TWO CREWMEN JUMPED - DELAYED JUMP - NO CHUTES SEEN."
 
"E/A caused fire on No. 3 engine and top of fuselage on what was believed to be A/C 295.  Pilot slipped to right and under formation.  From one to two crewmen were believed to have jumped.  No chutes were seen to have opened as A/C 264 passed over stricken aircraft and no further observations could be made.  LT Durgin believes crewmen were making delayed jumps."
 
B-17G 43-38308
Capt Wesley E Carter, O-397426, pilot, KIA
2nd LT Ivan L Briggs, O-816224, co-pilot, KIA
2nd LT James M Nichols, O-703912, navigator, POW
2nd LT Henry L Francis, O-704181, bombardier, POW
T/Sgt Robert E Bandfield, 16161180, radio operator, KIA
S/Sgt Leonard M Banther, 38464723, engineer, POW
Sgt Matt D McAda, 18098717, ball turret, POW
Sgt Kasper K Simms, 33536365, tail gunner, KIA
Sgt Ernest J Musser Jr, 33756834, waist gunner, KIA
Major Robert L Colligan Jr, O-23095, observer, POW
 
Here are some comments from MACR 8868:
 
"A/C 308 hit by flak between Nos. 1 and 2 engines 2 miles S.W. of Magdeburg, Germany.  Engine No. 1 was then feathered by the pilot.  Dropped bombs.  A/C 308 left the formation flying S.W. under control but loosing altitude.  Four men bailed out just before the aircraft went into a tight spin.  A/C 198 piloted by Lt. Hauge, flying No. 11 low group, saw A/C 308 hit the ground.  Although no other chutes were reported, the aircraft was apparently not on fire or breaking up as it fell."
 
Hope this information is of help.
 
 

David Schmitt
d.schmitt@prodigy.net
son of 1st LT Donald J. Schmitt, USAAF, co-pilot
assigned to 493rd BG/863rd BS at Debach, England
from Nov 1944 thru May 1945