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A loaded bomb trailer besides a B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-X) nicknamed "Channault's Pappy" of the 323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group 9 April 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '69377 A.C. - A loaded bomb trailer is parked besides the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Chennault's Pappy" at the 91st Bomb Group base in Bassingbourne [sic], England on 9 April 1944.'
B-17F 41-24496 'Chennault's Pappy' Delivered Great Falls, Montana, force landed Nashville, Tennessee with Jim Dale; repaired & assigned 423BS/306BG Westover 15-Aug-42; Thurleigh 8-Sep-42.
B-17F 41-24496, was despatched along with 12 other B-17s to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. The aircraft received severe damage from German FW-190 fighters, killing the Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, TSgt Kenneth R. Aulenbach and wounding three others. The pilot, Capt Robert C. Williams and Co-Pilot, 2LT Warren George managed to fly to damaged aircraft back to England, making an emergency landing at RAF Exeter. The aircraft was salvaged. 1KIA 9RTD-3WIA. No MACR issued.
P Capt Robert C. Williams (RTD); CP 2Lt Warren George (RTD)
N 1Lt Jacob C. Shively (RTD);B 2Lt Emmett W. Ford (RTD)
E/TTG TSgt Kenneth R. Aulenbach (KIA); RO TSgt Eddie F. Espitallier (RTD)
BTG SSgt Clairborne W. Wilson (RTD); WG SSgt Colin E. Neeley (RTD)
WG SSgt Hubert Houston (RTD); TG SSgt William F. Williams (RTD)
Service
Units
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Group
Constituted as 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 1 Mar 1942. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to England, Aug-Sep 1942, and assigned to Eighth AF Eighth Air Force in September 1942 Station 111 Thurleigh. During combat,...
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People
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
B-17F 41-24496, 'Chenault's Pappy', 306BG/423BS, on which he was serving as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, was attacked by FW190s after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire 17-November-1942. Killed in Action (KIA) 3 crew members were injured as the...
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
Edward Espitallier was Radio Operator on B-17F-15-BO #41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy' on the 17 November 1942 mission to St. Nazaire, France. After leaving the target area, the Fortress was attacked by FW190s. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew...
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
B-17F 41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy' on which he was serving as Bombardier was attacked by FW190s on 17-November-1942 after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members were wounded as the plane suffered severe...
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Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
On 17 November, 1942, while serving as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24496 his aircraft was attacked by FW190s after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, France. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members as the plane suffered severe damage. The Pilot...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Gunner | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
On 17 November, 1942, after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, B-17F 41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy', 306BG/423BS was attacked by FW190s. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members as the plane suffered severe damage. A/C landed at Exeter. SSgt...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
On 17 November, 1942, after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, B-17F #41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy' 306BG/423BS was attacked by FW190s. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members as the plane suffered severe damage. A/C landed at Exeter....
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Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Navigator | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
On 17 November, 1942, after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, B-17F 41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy' was attacked by FW190s. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members as the plane suffered severe damage. A/C landed at Exeter. He was WIA. He...
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Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Pilot | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
On 17 November, 1942, after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, as pilot of B-17F 41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy' his aircraft was attacked by FW190s. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members as the plane suffered severe damage. A/C landed at...
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Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
Served as Tail Gunner on B-17F #42-24496 "Chennault's Pappy", 306BG/423BS. The aircraft was attacked by FW190s after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, on 17 November 1942. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members were injured as the...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Flight Engineer | 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers
On 17 November, 1942, after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, B-17F #41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy' was attacked by FW190s. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members as the plane suffered severe damage. A/C landed at Exeter.
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Missions
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17 November 1942
The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the Primary (P) target for a combined force of 49 B-17s despatched from 91BG (20), 303BG (16) and 306BG (13). Another element of 14 B-24s despatched from 93BG also joins the bombing force on St. Nazaire. The...
Places
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Military site : airfield
Built for RAF use in 1941-42, Thurleigh was initially used by RAF Bomber Command before being handed over to the Eighth Air Force. Its runways and hardstandings were improved, and the B-17s of the 306th Bomb Group began using the base. It was their...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Salvaged |
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17 November 1942 |
The aircraft sustained severe damage and was declared a Category-E loss (damaged beyond repair) and salvaged for parts.
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