B-17 Crash Information Request

[Haza]

Gents,

 

Within this forum there was a discussion about a B-17 that crashed in the UK and a flypast was undertaken to commemorate the crews sacrifice. Now, I realise that this topic perhaps should be included in that area, but I didn't want to detract from that post commemorating the crews sacrifice, therefore, I apologies upfront for starting a similar thread, however, I believe that perhaps it should be kept separate!

 

Therefore, are there any B-17 experts out there as I'm trying to understand what happened.  From the limited press release that I have red it mentions that the B-17 ( Nickname "Mi Amigo" Production block number B-17G-10-BO) was on route to bomb a target in Norway and was bounced by the Germans and was RTB. 

 

Now the aircraft I believe was based at RAF Chelveston and was RTB when it crashed near Sheffield and a few people have commented that the B-17 should have gone further West to land, although its home base was more S, SE from Sheffield.  Therefore, although it was RTB from Norway, was this the usual RTB route from targets in Norway, to avoid the US bomber fleets heading East towards Mainland Europe, as this B-17 appears to have gone the long way round home considering the B-17 was damaged.

 

Therefore, is anybody able to explain the full story!?

 

Regards  

Edited February 23, 2019 by Haza

[BOO]

https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A7563783

 

Hopefully the link works but is is about the most concise reference to what may have happened i could find. There is also a book still avaialble. The theortical case stated (no one will ever truly know) combined with the accounts from the other crews would certainly make a reasonable agruement for a combination of Heavy Damage, possible damage to auxillary systems that causes nav systems to fail, Injury and Weather (low cloud base over the UK). 

 

Just beyond Sheffield to the West are the hills of the peak district. They stretch out towards Manchester and South to Derby. The high ground is referred to as the "Dark Peaks", the south as the "White Peaks" - In the dark peaks alone there well over 100 crash sites most of with occured between 1938 and 1948 and they stand as a stark testament to the the dangers that weather, navigational error and overstretched aircrews presented. Amongst those wrecks are a good few that ended up way off course in similar circumstances and a good many others that simply didnt take into account the effects of the wind.  

Edited February 23, 2019 by SCG_BOO

[Haza]

Just now, SCG_BOO said:

https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A7563783

 

Hopefully the link works but is is about the most concise reference to what may have happened i could find. There is also a book still avaialble. The theortical case stated (no one will ever truly know) combined with the accounts from the other crews would certainly make a reasonable agruement for a combination of Heavy Damage, possible damage to auxillary systems that causes nav systems to fail, Injury and Weather (low cloud base over the UK). 

 

Just beyond Sheffield to the West are the hills of the peak district. They stretch out towards Manchester and South to Derby. The high ground is referred to as the "Dark Peaks", the south as the "White Peaks" - In the dark peaks alone there well over 100 crash sites most of with occured between 1938 and 1948 and they stand as a stark testament to the the dangers that weather, navigational error and overstretched aircrews presented. Amongst those wrecks are a good few that ended up way off course in similar circumstances and a good many others that simply didnt take into account the effects of the wind.  

 

SCG_Boo,

 

Cheers for the link, I will have a look after I post this. As I mentioned, I only had a quick look for info about the crash but was hopeful that somebody would know more as I was scratching my head wondering why this B-17 would be near Sheffield RTB from Norway headed to RAF Chelveston (Quick internet check said it was from there), unless it was the return corridor from Norway, however, I'm hopeful your link will explain all!

 

Anyway, having lived around Cambs/Lincs and Beds for a lot of my life, I'm well aware of the number of WW2 crashes in that area and indeed, the A-10 that I mentioned ended up hitting a dyke type structure so I agree the Fens are not always best placed for landings, although it looks flat!  I remember watching a Time Team special when they went on the hunt for 2 x B-17s that collided mid-air with all crew lost as once again it was something that was forgotten and not very well known by many.

 

In addition, as you mention, to the west of Sheffield are a "few hills" and having cycled from Sheffield to Buxton a few times about 30 yrs ago, it can be an unforgiving terrain!  Anyway, thank you for taking the time to answer my question and include a link!

 

Kind Regards

 

H