41-24485 Memphis Belle

Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number 41-24485) nicknamed "Memphis Belle". Passed for publication 10 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 June 10th. Flying Fortress Returns To U.S.A. After 25 Operations. June 1943. At an 8th Army Air Station somewhere in England, Lt.-Gen. Jacob L. Devers, and Major-General Ira. C. Eaker, bidded fare-well to the Flying Fortress "Memphis media-408067.jpg FRE 3499 Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number 41-24485) nicknamed "Memphis Belle". Passed for publication 10 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 June 10th. Flying Fortress Returns To U.S.A. After 25 Operations. June 1943. At an 8th Army Air Station somewhere in England, Lt.-Gen. Jacob L. Devers, and Major-General Ira. C. Eaker, bidded fare-well to the Flying Fortress "Memphis Belle" which is returning to the United States after completing 25 missions over enemy territory. The crew will instruct airmen back home, who will follow in their footsteps in the great Allied Air Offensives against the enemy. Picture shows - General Devers, addressing the crew before the departure.' On reverse: US Army Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamp]. Print No: 268679 Roger Freeman Collection

Associated Ira Eaker from the Roger Freeman Collection image caption

Object Number - FRE 3499 - Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number...

Assigned to the 324th Bomb Squadron/91st Bomb Group [DF-A], Bangor 31/8/42; Bassingbourn 26/10/42; one of first in group to complete 25 missions; Returned to the USA Columbia 25/6/43 for nationwide war bond tour; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Altus 1/8/45. Restored and was on display at Millington Apt., Mud Is. Memphis, Tn. for several years; to USAF Museum, Dayton, Oh, in 2005 for complete strip down and renovation, plus engines rebuild, set for static restoration.



The Memphis Belle was restored and put on display at National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Oh. on May 17, 2018.



MEMPHIS BELLE. (named by pilot Bob Morgan).

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14041169
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Top turret guner / Engineer
media-31934.pdf (12.05 MB) Document 31934 LT KV Cashman 1943-44 LT. KV Cashman

From the personal Journal of LT KV Cashman.

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 483rd Bomb Group 816th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700700
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33090142
  • Role/Job: Top turret / Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20308132
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew Chief

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed some Punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added connections to the 8th AF Bomber Command missions #58 & #59 on 17 May and 19 May 1943. The mission on the 17th is mission 25th for the crew and the one on the 19th is the 25th mission for the plane.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to the mission to Brest, FR on 11/7/1942 per info in the book "Masters of the Air" by "Donald L. Miller".

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added info that the Belle was put on display 5/17/2018 to the Description secion. Source is the exihibit at the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Date
Contributorjmchristel
Changes
Date
ContributorCarl
Changes
Sources

US Air Force Museum factsheet about the 'Memphis Belle': http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6740

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

41-24485: Gallery (49 items)