Force landing of B-17, Arabian coast, 1944

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18 years 1 month

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I have just been reading some official correspondence pertaining to a B-17 that made a force landing near Abu Dhabi in 1944. I should be grateful if anyone has further details about this incident.

As far as I can see from putting together the evidence from a number of letters and telegrams the events were as follows. A B-17, serial 26129 (presumably 42-6129 ... ?) was doing photo reconnaissance in the Abu Dhabi area when it force landed on the coast at Shuweihat, near Jebel Dhanna, opposite Yas Island. Before landing with two crew aboard four others had parachuted to safety and were rescued. Some local men in a boat assisted the crew, and reported seeing them take off again. In the meantime two other B-17s, reported as 26135 and 26185, were sent to search. Another letter states that a "DH89" (I presume a Dominie) flown by Wing Commander Anderson, also involved in the search, crashed some 3 miles from the B-17 site.

According to Joe Baugher's site, 42-6129 was a B-17F converted to an F-9B (photo recon - so that would fit). It was declared "excess" in 1946.

Does anyone know more about this (these) incidents?

In the same correspondence there is reference to an RAF aircraft force landing along the same coast on 12 December 1944. Any details of that too?

Thanks.

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18 years 1 month

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Thanks for that Ross. It's a good start. I didn't find it myself probably because I searched for B-17 rather than F-9B. I shall order the report, unless anyone here has it already. I don't see what the 12 and 5 refer to. Airfield codes?

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18 years 1 month

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I see what the numbers refer to: 12 = 12th Air Force, and 5 = written off. But the report I saw says the aircraft was able to take off again! Mystery. Any offers?

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18 years 1 month

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For information: I got the report on this from the source Ross suggested. Very interesting stuff. Engine fire, 4 crew jumped leaving (he thought) only the pilot on board, but at the exit hatch he meets his photographer: seeing the fire was all but out they went back to the cockpit and landed on the beach. Very little damage, and all the crew safe, but the remote situation and tide ended by the aircraft being written off. I am writing it up, with pictures, and will post details later. Thanks again Ross.