42-37816 Big Stupe V

media-13260.jpeg UPL 13260 Crew Chief Herman Efland stands in front of B-17 42-37816 JD-S, BIG STUPE V, 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.

Annotated copy of this photo with this comment from Glen Alfter: 'Efland. Big Stupe dawn over Schweinfurt with Heffley and Mahe [sp?]. Efland is man in photo - he was lead chief of the 545th Squadron. I made above, penciled note during war.

Sent through to the museum by Glen Alfter's son, Colonel Frank Alfter, USAF (Ret).

Object Number - UPL 13260 - Crew Chief Herman Efland stands in front of B-17 42-37816 JD-S, BIG STUPE V, 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.

Delivered Long Beach 10/9/43; Gr Island 27/9/43; Assigned 545BS/384BG [JD-S] Grafton Underwood 18/10/43; Missing in Action Schweinfurt 13/4/44 with Francis (Farris) Heffley, Navigator: Lou Carini, Radio Operator: Bill Shade, Waist gunner: Ralph Gatzman, Waist gunner: George Allen, Tail gunner: Glen E. Alfter (6 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Walter Mabe, Bombardier: John Betolatti, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Sam Deutsch, Ball turret gunner: Bob Bechtel (4 evaded capture); enemy aircraft KOd two engines before target, then by flak, crash landed Rambucourt, 12 miles NW of Toul, Fr; Missing Air Crew Report 3868. BIG STUPE V.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Louis P Carini

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809532
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane. Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.

George Henry Carroll

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12053073
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Samuel Deutsch

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane. Six men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front. Some of the men are wearing cold weather flying gear. There are large canvas bags on the ground in front of the men.

Floyd Clinton Edwards

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665291
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Ralph L Gatzman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18151686
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 13 April 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/StoryList.php

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/One384thAircraft.php?Aircraf…

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a unit connection to the 8th AF.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the coorect spelling of Mr. Heffley's first name in "( )".

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3868 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-37816: Gallery (4 items)