43-38419 Miss Betsy MIA 1-14-45

B-17G-85-BO

August 1, 1944 Delivered to Cheyenne

August 11, 1944 to Lincoln

August 22, 1944 to Grenier

August 23, 1944 Assigned to 7^th Squadron, 34^th Bomb Group, Mendlesham

Mission #64 September 17, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #65 September 19, 1944 43-38419 E/E 4BS Bowen

Mission #66 September 22, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Richardson

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 43-38419 E/E 4BS Alleman

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 43-38419 E/E 18BS Coupland (probably incorrect)

Mission #68 September 26, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #69 September 27, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #70 September 28, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #71 October 2, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

October 2, 1944 43-38419 E/E

On Marshalling Chart on Hardstand #6 at 2100-2200 hours.

Mission #77 October 14, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #79 October 17, 1944 43-38419 E/E (unused ground spare)

Mission #80 October 19, 1944 43-38419 E/E (scheduled for Richardsen but replaced)

Mission #81 October 22, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #82 October 25, 1944 43-38419 E/E 18BS Weaver           Bombardier slightly wounded. Did not

bomb. Bomb bay doors bent.

Mission #84 October 28, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #85 October 30, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #86 November 4, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Mowers

Mission #87 November 5, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Ames

Mission #89 November 9, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #90 November 16, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #91 November 21, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Peterson

Mission #95 November 30, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Ames             Bombs had long delay fuses

Mission #96 December 4, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #97 December 5, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Sheesley

Mission #98 December 6, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Gibson

Mission #99 December 11, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS O’Grady

Mission #100 December 12, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Finch            Jettisoned bombs – malfunction.

Mission #101 December 15, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Weaver

Mission #102 December 24, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Giardini

Mission #105 December 30, 1944 43-38419 E/E 7BS Roscher       Aborted

Mission #111 January 13, 1945 43-38419 E/E 7BS James

Mission #112 January 14, 1945 43-38419 E/E 7BS Raver               Lost MIA. See below.

Mission #112 January 14, 1945 B-17G 43-38419 E/E Missing in Action Derben flak. Aircraft was hit by flak in the right wing. Aircraft rolled over almost like in a slow roll, during which time the outer wing panel tore away, just to the left of the outer engine nacelle. All four engines were still running as the aircraft went into a spin, going straight down. No fires were seen and no chutes observed. Some crews report this plane as exploding at about 15,000 feet. Crashed Eggenstedt, Germany. With 7BS. Pilot: Raver. Missing Air Crew Report  # 11567. 7 Killed in Action, 2 Prisoner of War.

KIA RAVER JACOB T (P)                  2 LT        7              O-767647                32            GLEN ROCK PA

KIA KIEFER DEANE W (CP)            2 LT        7              O-721117                1              LAWRENCE KS

KIA ZUMPANO JOSEPH L (B)         1 LT        7              O-698626                34            WILKES BARRE PA

KIA HUHTA WILLIAM O (R)          T/SGT    7              15374748                31            ASHTABULA OH

KIA SINGER JOHN L (E)                    T/SGT    7              36480864                32            PONTIAC IL

KIA BAILEY EDWIN C (TG)             SGT        7              17149190                1              RED OAK IA

KIA FRANCIS DAVID (Tog)            S/SGT     7              34012903                10            SOMERSET KY

POW ERWN CLAYTON (BT)           S/SGT     7              35772281                31            UPPER TYGART KY

POW HANKIN ERVIN W (TT)         S/SGT     7              17130631                32            SIOUX FALLS SD