42-37816 Big Stupe V
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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-802747
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33370908
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Places
Missions
- Date: 30 December 1943
- Date: 24 December 1943
- Date: 22 December 1943
- Date: 20 December 1943
- Date: 16 December 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 13 April 1944 |
Revisions
Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3868 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database