b17s

A Douglas - Long Beach-built B-17G (B-17G-50-DL) Flying Fortress, USAAF Ser. No. 44-6430 (c/n 22653). As per the Joe Baugher site: www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_1.html

Failed to return from a mission to railway marshalling yards at Maribor, Slovenia, Yugoslavia 7Nov44 (3KIA:4POW:3EVD). The plane was struck by flak just as it started the bomb run. No.1 engine received a direct hit knocking off the propeller. The engine was burning from the fore part with flames extending the length of the nacelle. Shortly after, the plane started to veer back and in towards the rear element which caused considerable confusion. Then, the pilot seemed to start a very slow turn to the right, losing considerable altitude. The fire intensity was growing. The crew began to bail out as the plane exploded and crashed Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia, Yugoslavia

This is B-17G 44-6442 which was assigned to 340BS within 97BG, 15AF on 15 Sep 1944 She went missing over Kalamaki in Greece 21 Jan 1945. Crew safe, although three wounded. Stig

The men who flew these great planes did not even know how brave they were. I keep hearing them say they were not "THE GREATEST GENERATION". Well, actually, they were brave and they are the greatest generation. Just my opinion.