B-17G 42-97286

B-17G 42-97286 of the 560th Bombardment Squadron, 388th Bombardment Group flew into the eastern face of Beinn Nuis on Arran on the 10th December 1944 while on a flight form Knettishall to Prestwick. The aircraft crashed close to B-24 42-41030 and C-60 42-56014.

Crew / Passengers	Rank - If Applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
John N. Littlejohn	Captain	Pilot	Killed
Robert N. Stoaks	2nd Lieutenant	Co-pilot	Killed
William J. Frey	2nd Lieutenant	Navigator	Killed
Richard W. Rosebasky	1st Lieutenant	Navigator	Killed
Leonard W. Bond	2nd Lieutenant	Bomb Aimer	Killed
Joseph A. Payne	Corporal	Engineer	Killed
Albert E. Thomas	Corporal	Radio Operator	Killed
James R. Bell	Major	Passenger	Killed
Jack D. Merkley	2nd Lieutenant	Passenger	Killed
Charles S. Brown	Master Sergeant	Passenger	Killed
Wade D. Kriner	Staff Sergeant	Passenger	Killed

In the crash report there are three versions of the crew list which contradict each other so the above may not be entirely correct.

The photo above shows part of one the aircrafts engines (centre), an ammunition container (left) and an oxygen bottle (right).

This photo shows where part of the main spar was cut up and buried after the crash, both ends of the spar can be seen above the surface.

This photo shows one of the many collections of wreckage in the rocks below the crash site.

Also in the rocks below the crash site is the lower portion of one of the main undercarriage oleos with the wheel still attached.

Five of those onboard were buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, below are photographs of their graves.