41-2420 Bessie the Jap Basher

Delivered Salt Lake Strategic Arms Depot (SAD) 20-Nov-41; Assigned 42BS/11BG 15-Dec-41; Hickam Field, HI 22-Jul-42; shot down and ditched Doma Cove, near Henderson Field, Guadalcanal 24-Sep-42 with Capt Charles E. Norton, Co-pilot: Bruce Barker, Navigator: Leo Eminger, Bombardier: Jim Mathewson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Hotard, Radio Operator: Peter Novak, Ball turret gunner: Fred Croyle, Waist gunner: Bruce Osborne,Tail gunner: Ed Carroll (9KIA*); at least two inc. possibly Norton and Osborne, who were executed, the latter’s bones found by Seebees Jan/44. Rest* probably drowned after impact. BESSIE THE JAP BASHER. Missing Air Crew Report 15098. Never served in the UK.

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Removed model type from serial number

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 24-Jun-2015. Appended Model to title (convention used for aircraft that never served in the UK); added Block Number , manufacturer, Edited Description (wrote out acronyms) converted dates to military-style signification per "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Roger A. Freeman with David Osborne.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log