42-31342 Boeing's Best

A B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed "Boeing's Best" of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Boeing's Best.' media-407693.jpg FRE 4295 A B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed "Boeing's Best" of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Boeing's Best.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4295 - A B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed "Boeing's Best" of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Boeing's Best.'

Delivered Cheyenne 23/10/43; Gr Island 3/11/43; Wilmington 9/11/43; Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-L] Chelveston 3/12/43; Missing in Action Pirmasens, Germany 9/8/44 with Bob Canon, Co-pilot: Joe Kemp, Navigator: Jim Oliver, Radio Operator: Forrest Roudebush, Ball turret gunner: Doug Becker, Waist gunner: Harry Alexander, Tail gunner: John Allen (7 Killed in Action); tog-Dick Darling, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Grant (2 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Unzhurst, SW of Baden, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 8071. BOEING'S BEST.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-761503
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Bombardier; Togglier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 9 August 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman Photo.

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 readability.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman Photo.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8071 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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