42-31342 Boeing's Best
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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-817224
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-855801
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35091506
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 9 August 1944 |
Revisions
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.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8071 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database