42-39945 Holy Hellcat
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group stand underneath the flak damaged wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress. A B-17 (serial number 42-39945) nicknamed "Holy Hellcat" is visible in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Graphic Photo Union.' [stamp] and 'Daily Sketch Copyright.' [stamp]](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-379029.jpg.webp?itok=KjSTGCNe)
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 1163 - A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group stand underneath the flak damaged wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress. A B-17 (serial number 42-39945) nicknamed...
Delivered Long Beach 13/10/43; Gr Island 8/11/43; Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-S] Thurleigh 12/12/43; Missing in Action Aschersleben 22/2/44 with J.P. Tooms Jr, co-Howard Taunton, Navigator: Alby Pulver, Bombardier: Buford Branom, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ralph Wheeler, Radio Operator: Paul Gaire, Tail gunner: Virgil Chappie (7 Killed in Action); Ball turret gunner: Calvin Brend, Waist gunner: John Foley, Waist gunner: Bill Harris (3 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Herfun, just S of Waldbrol, 19 miles W of Siegen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 2649. HOLY HELLCAT.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-679328
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11103371
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 22 February 1944 |
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group stand underneath the flak damaged wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress. A B-17 (serial number 42-39945) nicknamed "Holy Hellcat" is visible in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Graphic Photo Union.' [stamp] and 'Daily Sketch Copyright.' [stamp]](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379029.jpg.webp?itok=ODg0PCv3)