41-24445 Six Bits aka Southern Belle
Object Number - UPL 70611 - B-17 41-24445
Assigned 326BS/92BG Bangor 12-August-42; 340BS/97BG Polebrook August 42; Missing in Action Meaulte 6-September-42 shot down by Hptm Conny Meyer (II/JG26) crashed Flasselles, NW of Amiens, France.; (first 8AF B-17 MIA) SIX BITS aka SOUTHERN BELLE. No MACR issued. 10 POW.
P 2Lt Clarence W.Lipsky (POW); CP 1Lt David C. Howard (POW)
N 1Lt David McCorkle (POW); B/Toggler: Sgt Paul D. Drain (POW)
E/TTG Sgt George W. Mow (POW); RO Sgt Tomas T. Matson (POW),
BTG Sgt William H. Warren (POW); WG Sgt Charles F. Travinek (POW)
WG Sgt William B. Dunbar (POW); TG Sgt William Peltier (POW)
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg.webp?itok=n7iztoxa)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15058737
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Bombardier/Togglier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6903580
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-437981
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-430595
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16019027
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 6 September 1942
- Official Description:
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Flesselles, France | 6 September 1942 | Shot down by enemy aircraft. |
Revisions
Added an additional A/C nickname as listed in the A/C “Description” section.
Lee Cunningham 21-Oct-2014, Block number and manufacturer: "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Roger A. Freeman with David Osborne.
Lee Cunningham 21-Oct-2014. "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE. Description updated based on National Archives Records Administration (NARA) POW database.
