42-29938 - Tarfu - Ole Puss [not confirmed]
Added details. Removed all capital letters and punctuation from aircraft name for clarity, uniformity, and readability. - Kickapoo
Object Number - FRE 3970 - The nose art of the B-17 Flying Fortress named, Ole Puss, in the 96th Bomb Group, that has crash landed. Handwritten caption on reverse : ...
The B-17F, 42-29938, was deliveredto : Cheyenne 15 Mar 43; Smoky Hill 20 Jun 43; Presque Isle 8 Apr 43; Assigned 337 BS, 96 BG, Grafton Underwood 27 Apr 43; Andrews Field 13 May 43; Snetterton 12 Jun 43; Battle damaged over Emden 26 May 43, with Capt. Jack Ford, Copilot : Joe Turner, Navigator : Clarence Keisler, Bombardier : Bill Miller, Flight engineer/top turret gunner : George Haslip, Radio Operator : Bill Anderson, Ball Turret Gunner : Chester Privitt, Waist gunner : F.C. Kaczor, Waist gunner : M.C. Jamison, Tail gunner : Bill Kelly. 10 RTD (Returned to Duty); Enemy aircraft & flak caused force landing at Grafton Underwood on return. 26 May 43. Aircraft was named, Tarfu, and/or, Ole Puss [unclear & disputed], according to the source of reference. Source: Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: PIAAF / Presque Is
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
Missions
![An Airman of the 305th Bomb Group in his quarters Passed for publication 2 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '2/6/43.' Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Daily Sketch, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407722.jpg.webp?itok=Ukic2OZh)
- Date: 21 May 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
26 May 1943 |
Revisions
B-17 Flying Fortress - B-17 - 42-29938 - Ole Puss - aka Tarfu
B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress - B-17 The Queen Of The Skies - 42-29938 - Ole Puss - aka Tarfu
Production-block : B-17-F-80-BO : 42-29932 to 42-30031
Manufacturer : Boeing Bomb Group : 96th Bomb Group
Bomb Squadron : 337th Bomb Squadron
Source : Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log* - B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress - The Queen Of The Skies - Home»
Database »
Crash Landing » 26 May 1943
42-29938 / Ole Puss aka Tarfu
Changed aircraft names from all capitals for clarity, uniformity, and readability. - Kickapoo
Snetterton Falcons II: The 96th Bomb Group in World War II by Robert E Doherty & Geoffrey D Ward. Second Edition with Errata and Supplemental Information. Taylor Publishing. 1996. pages 22, 24, 293. Note 21 May 1943 reference to Ole Puss, but reference to Tarfu on page 25
Snetterton Falcons II: The 96th Bomb Group in World War II by Robert E Doherty & Geoffrey D Ward. Second Edition with Errata and Supplemental Information. Taylor Publishing. 1996. pages 21, 293. This source lists this aircraft as being crashed and totaled on 26 May 1943, but does not reference a nickname of "Old Puss" for this S/N. Rather, "Old Puss" is associated to 42-5883 and "Old Puss II" to 42-30073 (pages 294, 296, 304)
Removed this crew: Jack McMath, Ernie Dickensen, Edwin Martin, Bill Peterson, Lear Godbey, Gerald Olsen, Ray Masiero, Virgil Gregory (8 Killed in Action), Art Shilo, Harry Boegahalz (2 no definite fate) from biography for 26 May 1943. This crew were aboard B-17 42-3042:
https://www.fold3.com/image/1/28622115
