42-102503 Belle of the Blue

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102503) of the 306th Bomb Group. media-407826.jpg FRE 4406 A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102503) of the 306th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4406 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102503) of the 306th Bomb Group.

Delivered Cheyenne 9/3/44; Hunter 7/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; slated 96BG, Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 1/5/44; 423BS/306BG [RD-W] Thurleigh 18/5/44; Missing in Action Brux 12/9/44 with Dan Gates, Co-pilot: Ed Jordan, Navigator: John Taylor, Bombardier: Hugo Cappelli, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Sulzinski, Radio Operator: Jim Peltz, Waist gunner: Buffard Johnson, Tail gunner: Howard Reed (9 Prisoner of War), Ball turret gunner: Ray Fountain (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Reichenow, SW of Wreizen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 8835. BELLE OF THE BLUE.

Connections

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Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.

306th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Hugo Cappelli

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12155785
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Raymond W Fountain

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Daniel W Gates

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-763993
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Buffard L Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Edward E Jordan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-824142
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 12 September 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorTallPaul19
Changes
Sources

Update to name of aircraft. 

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8835 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-102503: Gallery (2 items)

A bomber crew of the 423rd Bomb Squadron, 306th Bomb Group with their B-17G Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102503) nicknamed "Belle the Blue". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Thurleigh, England, Spring 1944. Aircraft #42-102503. 306th BG Triangle H – 423rd Sq – 40th Wing – 1st Div – 8th AF. First mission – Berlin, Germany. Reichstag Hdgtrs! Last mission – Ruhland, Ger. Shot down 9/12/44. Lost the crew. Known to have made 34-36 missions. Kneeling left to right: Sam Marshall – Bomba. Jacks

Object number: FRE 4373 - A bomber crew of the 423rd Bomb Squadron, 306th...

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102503) of the 306th Bomb Group.

Object number: FRE 4406 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102503)...