42-32045 Silver Slipper
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 3993 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (QJ-R, serial number 42-32045) of the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group.
Delivered Denver 19/1/44; Cheyenne 25/1/44; Omaha 3/2/44; Hunter 15/2/44; Grenier 13/3/44; Assigned 339BS/96BGB [QJ-R] Snetterton 21/3/44; Missing in Action Schweinfurt 19/7/44.
QJ-R 42-32045 was the “Silver Slipper”, the first unpainted B-17 to fly in combat with the 8th Air Force. The aircraft was stationed at Snetterton Heath, Norfolk, England with the 96th Bomb Group, 339th Squadron, Crew #HH92. On July 19, 1944, the Silver Slipper was shot down by flack 10 minutes after hitting the target at Schweinfurt, Germany (MACR 7411). The ten crew members bailed out near Reil, Germany, were captured and all returned home after VE Day.
The crew was: 1st Lt. Charles E. Quinby (Pilot), 2nd Lt. Herbert R. Jackson (Co-Pilot), 2nd Lt. Joseph Bernstein (Bombardier), 2nd Lt. Bruce K. Bockstanz (Navigator), T/Sgt. Joseph K. Duplechain (Engineer), T/Sgt. John L. Jones (Radio), S/Sgt. Norman F. Christian (Right Waist Gunner), S/Sgt. Paul F. Nulton (Left Waist Gunner), S/Sgt. Walter J. Finnegan (Tail Gunner) and S/Sgt. Arthur J. Schwaiger (Ball Gunner).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-706674
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-716282
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36675216
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14052187
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12201631
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
Missions
- Date: 19 July 1944
- Official Description:
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delivered |
Denver, CO, USA | 19 January 1944 | |
|
Assigned |
Snetterton, Norwich, Norfolk NR16, UK | 21 March 1944 | Snetterton Heath, Norfolk, England with the 96th Bomb Group, 339th Squadron |
|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Reil, Germany | 19 July 1944 - 19 July 1944 | On July 19, 1944, the Silver Slipper was shot down by flack 10 minutes after hitting the target at Schweinfurt, Germany (MACR 7411). The ten crew members bailed out near Reil, Germany, were captured and all returned home after VE Day. |
Revisions
QJ-R 42-32045 was the “Silver Slipper”, the first unpainted B-17 to fly in combat with the 8th Air Force. The aircraft was stationed at Snetterton Heath, Norfolk, England with the 96th Bomb Group, 339th Squadron, Crew #HH92. On July 19, 1944, the Silver Slipper was shot down 10 minutes after hitting the target at Schweinfurt, Germany (MACR 7411). The ten crew members bailed out near Reil, Germany, were captured and all returned home after VE Day.
The crew was: 1st Lt. Charles E. Quinby (Pilot), 2nd Lt. Herbert R. Jackson (Co-Pilot), 2nd Lt. Joseph Bernstein (Bombardier), 2nd Lt. Bruce K. Bockstanz (Navigator), T/Sgt. Joseph K. Duplechain (Engineer), T/Sgt. John L. Jones (Radio), S/Sgt. Norman F. Christian (Right Waist Gunner), S/Sgt. Paul F. Nulton (Left Waist Gunner), S/Sgt. Walter J. Finnegan (Tail Gunner) and S/Sgt. Arthur J. Schwaiger (Ball Gunner).
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7411 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
![A B-17 Flying Fortress (QJ-R, serial number 42-32045) of the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "ISAD. 14 May 1944. 1101 (WPU, Battle Damage, B-17G, 42-32045, Manston), FA." Handwritten caption on reverse: '96th Bomb Group, 45th Combat Wing, 3rd Air Division' On reverse: USAAF Photographic Section Station 595 [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408600.jpg.webp?itok=PcHR0iJH)
