Assigned 326BS/92BG Bovingdon 20-Aug-42; 414BS/97BG Polebrook 28-Aug-42; Missing in Action on mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. This was 97th's first mission 21-Oct-42, shot down and crashed Plouescat, near Morlaix, France. 8KIA 2POW Missing Air Crew Report 15352.
P Capt John M. Bennett (POW); CP 1Lt William F. Galey (KIA)
N 1Lt Robert E. Jackson (POW); B 1Lt Thomas L. Morgan (KIA),
E/TTG SSgt George W. Wright (KIA); RO Sgt McCleary H. Harper (KIA)
BTG Sgt John D. Hyman (KIA); WG Sgt William J. Thompson (KIA)
WG SSgt Jim D. Combs (KIA); TG Sgt Andrew L. Jackson (KIA)
Service
Units
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Group
The 97th Bomb Group flew the Eighth Air Force's first heavy bomber mission from the UK when they bombed a marshalling yard at Rouen on 17 August 1942. Just a month later though the Group were reassigned to the Twelfth Air Force and left England for the...
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People
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Military | Captain | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to 303BG/359BS as a pilot at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho on 15-Apr-42. However, he was reassigned to 97BG prior to the 303BG's deployment to Molesworth in September 1942. Date of reassignment not determined.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to the 303BG/359BS as an Aerial Gunner at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho on 13-Feb-42. However, he was reassigned to the 97BG prior to the 303BG's deployment to Molesworth in September 1942. Date of reassignment not determined.
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Military | Lieutenant | Communications Officer, Co-Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to 303BG/359BS as Communications Officer 15-Apr-42 at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. However he was reassigned to the 97BG prior to the 303BG's deployment to Molesworth in September 1942. Date of reassignment not determined.
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Military | Sergeant | Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner | 97th Bomb Group
Shot down 21 October 1942 in B-17 41-24344 while serving as Radio Operator. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 97th Bomb Group
Shot down 21 October 1942 in B-17 41-24344 while serving as Ball Turret Gunner. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to the 303BG/359BS as an Aerial Gunner at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho on 13-Feb-42. However, he was reassigned to the 97BG prior to the 303BG's deployment to Molesworth in September 1942. Date of reassignment not determined.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to the 303BG/359BS 15-Apr-42 at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho as a Navigator but was reassigned to the 97BG prior to the 303BG's deployment to Molesworth in September 1942. Exact date of reassignment not determined.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to the 303BG/359BS as a Bombardier at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho on 15-Apr-1942. However, he was reassigned to 97BG prior to the 303BG's deployment to Molesworth in September 1942. Date of reassignment not determined.
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Military | Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to the 303BG/359BS as an Aerial Gunner at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho on 19-Feb-42. However, he was reassigned to the 97BG prior to 303BG's deployment to Molesworth in September 1942. Date of reassignment not determined.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 97th Bomb Group
Shot down 21 October 1942 in B-17 41-24344 while serving as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner. Killed in Action (KIA).
Missions
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21 October 1942
German U-Boat pens are Lorient, France are the Primary (P) targets for this mission along with the German airfield at Cherbourg, France. 93BG despatches 24-B-24s to Lorient, but cloud cover prevents them from bombing. The main attack force to Lorient...
Places
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Military site : airfield
Polebrook was laid down for RAF Bomber Command use in 1940-1941. Built by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd, it had short runways which were lengthened for USAAF heavy bomber use. The RAF used the base for operational trials - including of B-17 Flying...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Failed to Return (FTR) |
Plouescat, France |
21 October 1942 |
Shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed at Plouescat near Morlaix, France.
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