RF999

"Graypea" mission from Watton to Hamburg, Germany. Along with RF988, RF992 and RF996 flew line abreast dispensing chaff in front of the lead B17's formation, intercepted by Me262 fighters. Port wing damaged[four feet shot away], safely returned to base and AC repaired by de Havilland civilian team, splicing replacement wing on, crew on day Lt C Finley [Pilot], Lt R Balser [Nav].

Connections

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Units served with

25th Bomb Group

Unit Hierarchy: Group
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Reconnaissance

654th Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

People

Robert M Balser

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 25th Bomb Group 654th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 35130474 / O-698410
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Navigator

Charles Buford Finley

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 25th Bomb Group 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 653rd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 18042455 / O-748938
Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Role/Job: Pilot

Places

A crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 25th Bomb Group. Veteran's caption handwritten on reverse: 'Back Row- Left to Right Edward Corner Tail Gunner (Deceased)- Sam Odensky RDG- Donald Yennie Engineer (Status Unknown) The Hawk RAF) 1st Row Kneeling L to R Warren Forgie (Pilot), Earnest York (Co-Pilot), Edward Sofranko (Navigator), Robert Poe (Ball Gunner) (Edward York Died Oct 15, 1988 Heart Attack).'

Watton

Site type: Airfield

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Manufactured	Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK	12 December 1944	Hatfield Built, contract number 555/C.23(a), between 12-12-1944 and 3-5-1945.
Other Sustained Damage	Hamburg, Germany	20 March 1945	"Graypea" mission from Watton to Hamburg, Germany. Along with RF988, RF992 and RF996 flew line abreast dispensing chaff in front of the lead B17's formation, intercepted by Me262 fighters. Port wing damaged[four feet shot away], safely returned to base and AC repaired by de Havilland civilian team, splicing replacement wing on, crew on day Lt C Finley [Pilot], Lt R Balser [Nav].
Other Struck Off Charge		25 November 1953	Struck Off Charge 25/11/1953. Location unknown.
Other Transferred			Transferred to Royal Navy, date and location unknown.