42-97069 Mon Tete Rouge II

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97069) nicknamed "Mon Tete Rouge II" of the 452nd Bomb Group flies in formation with other Fortresses. Printed caption on reverse: 'Boeing B-17 "Mon Tete Rouge II" and her sister ships of the 452nd Bomb Group en route to blast German targets in France as part of the plan to pulverise all vitally important war objectives. Chateaudun, France, was the target of this mission, 28 March 1944. (Altitude 17,900 Feet) Taken by S/Sgt Chelso V Puiratto. US Air Force photo.' media-380652.jpg FRE 1836 A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97069) nicknamed "Mon Tete Rouge II" of the 452nd Bomb Group flies in formation with other Fortresses. Printed caption on reverse: 'Boeing B-17 "Mon Tete Rouge II" and her sister ships of the 452nd Bomb Group en route to blast German targets in France as part of the plan to pulverise all vitally important war objectives. Chateaudun, France, was the target of this mission, 28 March 1944. (Altitude 17,900 Feet) Taken by S/Sgt Chelso V Puiratto. US Air Force photo.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1836 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97069) nicknamed "Mon Tete Rouge II" of the 452nd Bomb Group flies in formation with other Fortresses....

Delivered Cheyenne 24/1/44; Gr Island 11/2/44; Presque Is 23/2/44; Assigned 401BS/91BG [LL-N] Bassingbourn 11/3/44; transferred 731BS/452BG Deopham Green [7D-M] 12/3/44; Missing in Action Kassel 4/12/44 with Larry Downey, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Stan Monikitas,Tail gunner: Don Woodwick (3KIA, all still in wreckage); Co-pilot: Chas Gillette, Navigator: Ed O’Neill, Bombardier: Jack Short, Radio Operator: Ray Gresson, Ball turret gunner: Bill Vidulich, Waist gunner: Cliff Haas (6 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Bitburg, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 11050. MON TETE ROUGE II.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1997842
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer, Top Turret Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 4 December 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorSFCBILL
Changes
Sources

Fold3 and National Archives via my ancestry account

Date
ContributorPete
Changes
Sources

452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 11050 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-97069: Gallery (4 items)