Crash Site B17G-55-DL, #44-6512

On November 16, 1944, the American B17 G-55-DL, with serial number: 44-6512, crashed at Genoelselderen, near Tongeren, around 12:30 PM.
The aircraft was returning from a bombardment on artillery positions near Eschweiler (D). Around 12:05 pm the aircraft was directly hit by FLAK artillery, which caught fire and a little later crashed into the forest opposite the Wine Castle of Genoelselderen, against a tumulus located there.

According to the sayings of the elders, someone from the resistance quickly reached the aircraft and took two injured crew members to hide from the Germans. The crew members were hidden in a forest near Herderen. The two Americans were very anxious and trusted no one. When the members of the resistance went to the shelter in the evening, the two were no longer found. They probably left on their own initiative.

There is currently a chapel that commemorates this crash. There are initiatives to place a full-fledged memorial there.

Crew members:
Pilot, Donald George Springsted, wounded
Co-pilot, Robert C. Barnes, KIA
Navigator, Edward Gregory Jacobs, POW
Bombardier, Francis Samuel Tierney, POW
Radio operator, Frank Joseph Schick, Jr., POW
Engineer / top turret, William C. Murphy, KIA
Ball turret, Paul Leland Watson, POW
Tail gunner, Albert Richard Macuch, wounded
Waist gunner, Hilton Hubert Stephenson, POW

544th Bombardment Squadron
384th Bombardment Group

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Source

• Text: Rudi Triki
• Photos: Rudi Triki