42-30157

Ground crew of the 91st Bomb Group attempt to repair a B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-P, serial number 42-30157) nicknamed "Hell's Belles (Dirty Gertie)" that overshot the runway at Bassingbourn, and crash landed in a field, 28 July 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '# 4220 "Hells Bells" After hydrolics[sic] shot out.' media-379166.jpg FRE 729 Ground crew of the 91st Bomb Group attempt to repair a B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-P, serial number 42-30157) nicknamed "Hell's Belles (Dirty Gertie)" that overshot the runway at Bassingbourn, and crash landed in a field, 28 July 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '# 4220 "Hells Bells" After hydrolics[sic] shot out.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 729 - Ground crew of the 91st Bomb Group attempt to repair a B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-P, serial number 42-30157) nicknamed "Hell's Belles (Dirty Gertie)"...

Delivered Cheyenne 21/4/43; Tinker 27/4/43; Smoky Hill 5/5/43; Tinker 24/5/43; Smoky Hill 29/5/43; Dow Fd 1/6/43; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-P] Bassingbourn 10/6/43 DIRTY GERTIE 1m; battle damaged Kassel 30/7/43, 2m with Don Van der Heyde, Co-pilot: Don Primeau, Navigator: Harry Warren, Bombardier: Walter Brown, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Pete Comac, Radio Operator: John Klopolsky, Ball turret gunner: Homer Mitts, Waist gunner: Bill Wannemacher, Waist gunner: Mack Walton,Tail gunner: Dick Sparman (10 Returned to Duty); enemy aircraft also shot out hydraulics soon after reaching the Channel, it limped back to crash landed base with severe damage, but crew unharmed; Salvaged 25/8/43. HELLS BELLEs.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12046545 / O-797311
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-30157: Gallery (4 items)