Memorial

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Sgt Robert H. Hildebrandt attended Pleasantville High School.

Aircraft 42-97400 and 43-38473 collided at 1302 hours at 5055N-0910E at 26,300 feet in the vicinity of I.P. Aircraft 73 was flying in No. 2 position of low section, lead squadron, and Aircraft #400 was flying #4 of low section, lead squadron. A/C 473 lost altitude, and 400 gained altitude at the same time. The reason for this is unknown, but it is believed that prop wash was responsible. A/C 400 had its fuselage torn in two and went into clouds in an uncontrolled spin. The elevators on A/C 473 were sheared off, and it, too, disappeared into the clouds out of control. No chutes observed from either plane.

Sgt Hildebrandt didn't bail out. Statement of a crew member explained: "Since the B-17 was in a spin, centrifugal force was great and it could have made it impossible to escape out the front hatch, and that's why he did not leave by the rear exit. I can't explain, except possibly he was trying to get the Ball Turret Gunner (Sgt Roy G. Davis) out of the turret when the plane crashed. They were bosom companions. The Germans showed me his dog tags."

Seven crew members were killed in action. 2nd Lt Lawrence Adler and Sgt Harold Hunt were taken Prisoners of War.