The Boeing B-17F pictured here was a famous bomber during World War II. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
The B-17 was a famous World War II bomber and was an odd site to the residents of Maxwell since there were no B-17 bases near Maxwell.
On March 6, 1944, at approximately 4:00 am, a flight of 12 B-17G Flying Fortresses departed Kearney Army Air Field, Nebraska headed for Presque Isle Army Air Field, Maine on their way to England.
At approximately 6:00 am, B-17G 42-97224 crashed into a farm field of Cleat Dunahoo 2 miles North and 2 miles East of Maxwell, IA. The Bomber crashed about 1/4 mile from the Dunahoo Farm and the family felt the explosion and light.
The B-17G did not have any bombs on board but had its crew and extra passengers. The aircraft crashed and the 10 airmen on board perished.
B-17G Crew:
2nd Lt Donald Marquette (Pilot)
2nd Lt Clarence G Duvall (Co-Pilot)
2nd Lt Raymond N Gray
2nd Lt Arthur G Toth
S/Sgt Martin J Gibbons
S/Sgt Gust Morris
Sgt Donald E Eastman
Sgt Dial H Foltz
Sgt Lorrain H Holthouse
Sgt Clifford W Lynum
The official accident report cites the primary cause of the crash as "Overstress due to attempted recovery for unusual position." It also lists possible contributing factors as "Possible instrument failure" and "Icing Conditions."
The crash occurred in the field southwest of the cache. The Maxwell Historical Museum has artifacts of the crash.
Aviation Caches
Aviation Cache: A-7D Corsair II 71-0213
Aviation Cache: A-7D Corsair II 71-0334
Aviation Cache: A-7D Corsair II 71-0254
Aviation Cache: And Then There Were Three
Aviation Cache: AH-1 Cobra
Aviation Cache: Ames Municipal / Wearth Airport
Aviation Cache: B-17F 42-30535
Aviation Cache: B-17G 42-97224
Aviation Cache: B-24 41-29052 Crash Site
Aviation Cache: The Cyclone Post
Aviation Cache: F-86L Sabre 53-0750
Aviation Cache: Aviation Cache: F-80 Midair Collision 10/22/1954
Aviation Cache: Hap Westbrook
Aviation Cache: Hunter Field
Aviation Cache: I Hear The Choppers Coming
Aviation Cache: Lamotte Air Defense Radar Station
Aviation Cache: MERLE
Aviation Cache: Morningstar Field / North Field
Aviation Cache: NAS Ottumwa
Aviation Cache: NAS Ottumwa Auxiliary Airfield #10
Aviation Cache: The Parakeet Casualty
Aviation Cache: Phantom
Aviation Cache: Scorpion Down - December 9, 1968
Aviation Cache: The Silent Knights
Aviation Cache: T-33 Shooting Star 51-4406
Aviation Cache: T-33 Shooting Star 53-5916
Aviation Cache: T-33 Shooting Star 58-0579
Aviation Cache: Thunderflash
Aviation Cache: Thunderstreak
Aviation Cache: The Vantage