Information about this photograph:

  1. Aircraft No:44-8517
  2. Tail Letter: J
  3. Fuselage ID: 3O-J
  4. Group/Squadron: 398th, 601st
  5. Official Name of Aircraft:
  6. Date of Photograph: 22 March 1945
  7. Photo Location: over Dorsten, Germany
  8. Crew at time of Photograph: Magnes' Crew
  9. Final Disposition of A/C:
  10. Interpretive Comments: The above photo shows the 398th, 601st Squadron B-17G A/C 44-8517 3O-J, Squadron 3O (601st) at 23,600 feet over Dorsten, Germany on 22 March 1945. Guns are pointed and alert for enemy fighters.

The Magnes' Crew at the time of the photograph:

  1. 1st Lt. Byron L. Magness, Pilot
  2. 2nd Lt. Billy B. Buffalow, Co-Pilot
  3. 2nd Lt. Samuel E. Arbuthnot, Navigator
  4. S/Sgt. Daniel M. O'Connell, Togglier
  5. T/Sgt. William C. Williams, Engineer / Top Turret
  6. T/Sgt. James C. Oliver, Radio Operator
  7. Pvt. Joseph J. Jacovac, Waist Gunner
  8. S/Sgt. Bertran A. Ongley, Ball Turret
  9. S/Sgt. Larry L. Wolf, Tail Gunner
  10. S/Sgt. Donald B. McIntyre, Spot Jammer

The photo was taken by John Bornstedt, pilot, 601st Squadron on his 28th mission. John Bornstedt flew 35 missions between 24 December 1944 and 16 April 1945. The Bornstedt crew for March 22, 1945 on B-17 #44-8031 K was as follows:

  1. 1st Lt. J. W. Bornstedt, Pilot
  2. 2nd Lt. Dewey E. Coe, Co-Pilot
  3. F/O Henry C. Cook, Navigator
  4. S/Sgt. Leroy W. Pryor, Togglier
  5. T/Sgt. Claud V. Stanbrough, Engineer / Top Turret
  6. T/Sgt. Libero Fattorini, Radio Operator
  7. S/Sgt. David Lawler, Waist Gunner
  8. S/Sgt. Robert W. Bonasch, Ball Turret
  9. S/Sgt. Albert L. Chamrad, Tail Gunner

Source Information:

  1. Photo Source: John Bornstedt's 398th Photo Collection
  2. Photo Reference: 44-48517-3O-J_19450322_JB
  3. Photographer: John Bornstedt
  4. Information compiled by the 398th Web team with special thanks to Don Parks.
  5. If you would like to add information about this photograph, please contact our Aircraft Photo Coordinator. Please include the title.