B-17, 42-31825, 18 May 1944

Date: May 18, 1944

Departure: Celone Airfield in Foggia, Italy

Target: Ploesti, Romania Oil Refineries

MACR: 5791

1LT Menge, Louis W - O-751019 - Pilot

2LT Craig, John S - O-753195 - Co-pilot

2LT Taylor, Arthur - O-814442 - Navigator

2LT Kowal, Richard W - O-688193 - Bombardier

TSGT Boysen, Paul H - 19200856 - Upper Turret Gunner

SSGT Olsen, William H - 32625726 - Lower Turret Gunner

TSGT Sams, Arthur R - 37445592 - Radio Operator

TSGT Vicenti, George L - 18162750 - Right Waist Gunner

TSGT Ott, Willard C - 36635485 - Left Waist Gunner

SSGT Oldfather, Darris L - 39040791 - Tail Gunner

B-17 Flying Fortress 42-31825 took off from Celone Airfield in Foggia, Italy on May 18, 1944. The flight crew was from the 775th Bomber Squadron, 463rd Bomber Group, 15th Air Force. The mission that day was to bomb the oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania; a follow-up to Operation Tidal Wave conducted in August 1943.

The Air Force sent out a recall signal to cancel the mission due to exceedingly bad weather and poor visibility. The 463rd Bomber Group did not receive the message. As a result, the formation of 35 planes from the 463rd made the run on Ploesti alone. Taking advantage of the situation, approximately 150 of Goering’s Yellow Nose fighters attacked the formation. Six bombers were lost in the attack, including 42-31825.

The circumstances of what happened to 42-31825 are not known. The Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) includes statements from a pilot and a navigator of other planes on the mission. Both statements read, “I was informed by the Enlisted Men in the crew that the Ship 42-31825 had pulled out of formation. I saw nothing since my ship was in the same formation. It is impossible to ascertain the position ship went down or whether or not chutes came out.”

The MACR does come to the conclusion that 42-31825 was lost over enemy territory due to enemy aircraft. All ten crew members of 42-31825 were listed MIA as battle casualties.

The 463rd Bomber Group received a Unit Citation for the May 18, 1944 mission.

References

"Missing Air Crew Report". Fold3. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
"B-17 42-31825". B-17 Flying Fortress. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
"463rd Bomb Group". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved February 20, 2024.

Darris L Oldfather