Registration or Serial: 44-6504

Operator: USAAF 303rd Bomb Group (H); 360th BS

Operating Base: Molesworth Air Base (RAF Molesworth).

Base Location: Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, England.

Current Airport Status: Operational non-flying Base (USAF / USAFE) (Flying facilities closed 1973)

Current Base Name: Joint Analysis Center (JAC) / Joint Intelligence Center

Aircraft Nickname: Flying Fortress; Fort, and others.

Aircraft Type & Background

The Boeing B-17 was a four-engine heavy bomber, equipped initially with four 750hp Pratt & Whitney Hornet engines. However, later builds were fitted with 1200hp Wright Cyclone R1280-97 radial piston engines. Later production models were modified substantially by extending the fuselage further to the rear to incorporate a tail gun position.

The aircraft had a maximum speed of just over 483km/h (300mph) and a cruising speed of 257km/h (160mph). Its maximum range (ferry) was 5,472km (3,400 miles).

The B-17G entered service with the US Bombardment Groups in 1943. Unlike earlier models, the B-17G was equipped with Bendix chin turrets housing two 12.7mm (0.5in) machine guns for defence against head-on attacks. The B-17 was used both by USAAF Bombardment Groups and by RAF Coastal Command.

Aircraft Accident Details

Together with others, the nine-man crew of B-17G 44-6504 had been given a mission to bomb a railway marshalling yard in Ulm, Germany. However, due to deteriorating weather conditions, the mission was aborted and the flight recalled. To prevent mid-air collisions, the formation of bombers was ordered to break rank and head for separate bases in the UK.

On several occasions, the pilot of this B-17—Lt Kyle—requested bearings back to England, but was misled by false signals from German transmitters. This resulted in the aircraft flying too far north of the bases in England.

Eventually, while flying over the Scottish / English border region, Lt. Kyle descended through the clouds in an attempt to establish visual bearings. Unfortunately, however, the pilot descended too low to clear the snow-covered Cheviots. The aircraft crashed-landed on West Hill, close to The Cheviot. It then slid across a peat bog, coming to a halt on the hill shoulder. Two crew members died in the crash. The remaining crew members escaped; some with minor, and others with severe injuries.

Three of the survivors—Lt. Kyle, F/O Hardy, and Sgt Schieferstein—staggered down the slopes to a shepherd's cottage, where they raised the alarm.

Still on the hilltop, Sgt Smith and several other crew members had taken refuge in a ditch. Several hours later, as they lay sheltering in the ditch, Sgt Smith felt a dog licking his face. The dog, Sheila* belonged to a local shepherd, John Dagg. Together with another shepherd—Frank Moscrop—Mr. Dagg had been out on the hills searching for survivors. The dog found the airmen first, and its excited barking alerted the shepherds, bringing them quickly to the scene.

When the B-17 crashed, its bomb load was still intact. (They had not been dumped at sea). Fortunately, the bombs had not exploded on impact with the ground. However, just as the crew reached the safety of the shepherd's cottage on lower ground, the entire bomb load exploded.

The two people who died in this accident were:

Both men were buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.

Those who survived were:

2nd Lt George Anderson Kyle, Jr. (Pilot)
(since promoted to 1st Lt)

F/O James H. Hardy (Co-Pilot)

Sgt Ernest G. Schieferstein (Engineer)

Sgt Howard F. Delaney (Tail Gunner)

Sgt William R. Kaufmann (Waist Gunner)

Sgt George P. Smith (Ball Turret Gunner)

Sgt Joel A. Berly, Jr. (Radio Operator)

* Sheila was the first civilian dog to be awarded the Dickin Medal for animal heroism.

Accident Date

16 December 1944

Accident Site

West Hill (The Cheviot) (717m /  2,353ft)

Country: England

Region: Northumberland (Cheviots)

Nearest town or village: Westnewton (on B6351), Northumberland.

OS Grid Ref: N/A

Present Condition

Substantial wreckage has been removed from the crash site over the years. Some fragmented wreckage may still be found onsite (see photos below).

Related Links

• 303rd BG (H) Combat Mission—Recalled (Detailed account with sequel to crash / PDF Document)

• George A. Kyle Crew — 360th BS (Accident Summary and crew photo).

• Bamburgh Castle Aviation Artefact Museum, Bamburgh, N of North Sunderland. (One of the engines, in superb condition, can be seen at this Museum.)

USAAF & Related Links

• 303rd Bomb Group (H) (Hell's Angels)

• 303rd Talk — 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum

• 303rd Bomb Group — World War II (DVD)

• Joint Analysis Center (JAC)

Other Links

• American Air Museum, Duxford

• B-17 Flying Fortress at Wikipedia

• B-17G at Aviation Enthusiast Corner

• B-17G at AirToAirCombat.com

Below: A Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress preparing for a bombing run.

Photo : [no date] US Federal Government photo released to the public domain.

Below: Boeing B-17G Formation from the 532nd Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group.

Photo: National Museum of the USAF

ABOVE: Heritage Flight

A B-17G Flying Fortress participates in a  heritage flight with a B-52H Stratofortress from the 2nd Bomb Wing. This B-17G is owned by the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas.

Photo: US Air Force / Master Sgt Michael A. Kaplan

Photos in this section were kindly provided by
Gary Nelson
and are used here by permission.

ABOVE: One of the largest remaining sections, with landing gear, wing panels, and other parts lying nearby.

Photo: 1995-2008 G. Nelson

ABOVE: Fuselage or wing / tail panel.

This item is located about 100yds N of Braydon Crag which itself is about 300yds N of the main crash site.

Sharni, the Retriever, waits patiently nearby.

Photo: 1995-2008 G. Nelson