I had an AF ROTC instructor in the late 50s/early 60s, who was a B-17
pilot. He said that one day, a black b-17 shadowed their squadron and
did not respond to calls to join up. They then called in fighters, which
shot it down.

There is no evidence that the ever Germans did such a thing --
KG 200 used it captured aircraft for other purposes -- but the
belief was widespread among US aircrews,

Absolutely agree with this - its one of those anecdotes that is believed by
nearly everyone, but the only units that operated captured US equipment never
flew them in this manner. These turncoat aircraft were a literally priceless
commodity and exposing them to their own flak, escorts -and- Luftwaffe
fighters, as well as the bristling armada of B-17 formations is just silly -
they didn't do it. Yes, the Germans flew various aircraft as "shadows",
tailing the bomber formations and reporting on their movements, but this was
done primarily by Ju 88 heavy fighters. Wasting a captured B-17 on such a
mission would simply not be done.


and it was common
to shoot at stragglers trying to join up with the formation. Especially,
of course, if it was not their own unit. As a straggler was known
to be an easy target for enemy fighters, this was a difficult choice...
for both sides.

Very true and you have to wonder how many US airmen perished because their
aircraft were so damaged that they could not keep up with their own groups -
slowly being overtaken by other formations, edgy and trigger-happy and suddenly
facing an "unfamiliar" B-17 that would 'appear' to be shadowing their
movements. Tragic, but it makes a hell of a lot more sense than the Germans
sending one of their rare war prizes into a situation where it would be fired
upon by literally everyone, with predictable results.

v/r
Gordon
====(A+C====
USN SAR

Donate your memories - write a note on the back and send your old photos to a
reputable museum, don't take them with you when you're gone.