B-17G Fortress 'Miss Donna Mae II' drifted under another bomber on a bomb run over Berlin, 19 May 1944. A 1,000 lb bomb from above tore off the left stabilizer and sent the plane into an uncontrollable spin. All 11 were killed. Photo 1 of 4

Caption     B-17G Fortress 'Miss Donna Mae II' drifted under another bomber on a bomb run over Berlin, 19 May 1944. A 1,000 lb bomb from above tore off the left stabilizer and sent the plane into an uncontrollable spin. All 11 were killed. Photo 1 of 4 ww2dbase
Photographer    Unknown
Source    ww2dbaseUnited States National Archives via D. Sheley
More on...   
B-17 Flying Fortress   Main article  Photos  Maps  
Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities   Main article  Photos  
Photos in Series See all photos in this series
Photos on Same Day 19 May 1944
Photos at Same Place Berlin, Germany
Added By David Stubblebine

This photograph has been scaled down; full resolution photograph is available here (3,205 by 2,626 pixels).

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Colorized By WW2DB     Colorized with Adobe Photoshop



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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
7 Feb 2015 05:11:11 PM

GREATEST GENERATION: DEATH OF A FORTRESS & CREW

B-17G-20-BO Miss Donna Mae of the 332nd Bomb Squadron, 94th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
Fortress was lost over Berlin, on May 19,1944.
Photographs show 1,000lb bombs dropped by another B-17G-30-VE Trudy of the same Bomb Squadron, you can see 1,000lb bomb have hit the left horizontal stabilizer, aircraft went into a uncontrollable spin, due to G-Forces wings broke away. Crew lost no survivors.

CREW OF DONNA MAE:

OFFICERS

First Lt. Marion U. Reid - Pilot
Second Lt. Lewis T. Carter - Co-Pilot
Second Lt. Roger F. Tessler - Navigator
Second Lt. Stanley D. Duffield - Bombardier

NCO's

T/Sgt. Lee Z. Kieffer - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
T/Sgt. John F. Boone - Radio Operator/Gunner
T/Sgt. John B. Davis - Radar Operator
Staff/Sgt. Ludwig H. Hurth - Ball Turret Gunner
Staff/Sgt. Richard E. Brennan - Starboard Waist Gunner
Staff/Sgt. James A. Kalahar - Port Waist Gunner
Staff/Sgt. Willard M. Christensen - Tail Gunner
2. Anonymous says:
19 Sep 2015 01:03:43 PM

I have original photos of miss Donna Mae crew on the ground in front
Of planes nose
3. kendra says:
31 May 2016 11:32:25 AM

I'd love to have a copy.
Are you willing to share?
4. Kent Amoth says:
26 Aug 2016 08:39:41 AM

This was the Miss Donna Mae II and it was with the 331st Bomb Squad. My Moms brother (my Uncle) was the tail Gunner. S/Sgt Willard M. Christensen
5. David Christensen says:
11 Nov 2016 08:37:41 PM

I too would be so greatfull to receive a copy of the photo of the Ms Donna Mae II and her crew.
6. Craig Christensen says:
24 Dec 2019 08:22:34 PM

I am trying to find out all I can about SSGT Willard Christensen, he was my grandfathers brother.
7. Anonymous says:
6 Dec 2020 12:59:40 AM

May they rest forever in peace and joy!

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WW2-Era Place Name Berlin, Germany
Lat/Long 52.5000, 13.3900
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