42-30187 Lulu Belle
Object Number - UPL 41654
Delivered Cheyenne 24/4/43; Gore 6/5/43; Kearney 30/5/43; Dow Fd 15/6/43; Assigned 551BS/385BG [HR-K] Gt Ashfield 16/6/43; Missing in Action Evreux 24/8/43 with Maj Preston Piper, Co-pilot: Vince Masters, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Luther Daniels, Radio Operator: Paul Schultz, Ball turret gunner: Bill Armes,Tail gunner: Lt Tom Morgan (6 Returned to Duty); Navigator: Capt John Dewey, Bombardier: Lee Jones (p-??), Waist gunner: Ed Sanders, Waist gunner: Archie Cameron (4 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Atlantic, about 40 miles off Padstow, Cornwall; Missing Air Crew Report 961. LULU BELLE.
Read Vince Masters account of the crew's final mission here: http://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/22Lulu-Belle22-on-Mission-11…
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=3DyNylCs)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
![First Lieutenant Louis A. Dentoni of the 385th Bomb Group checks the bomb load of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lulu Belle" before a mission. Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-49. A Flying Fortress hero - the leading bombadier[sic] of this Flying Fortress group who is only 24 years of age. He is 1/Lt. Louis A. Dentoni, here seen in the bomb bay of his Fort, checking the load before the take-off on another mission in the "Lulu Be](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413630.jpg.webp?itok=F7rJs_L0)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19036033 on enlistment, O-735978
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Group Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-351020
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 3rd Scouting Force 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19078674 upon entry, then O-728691
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
![Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group meet North African civilians in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5913) nicknamed "Shack Bunny". Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282422.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#63 Sideview of Fortress with crew and natives.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380100.jpg.webp?itok=toWqFvhF)
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW) |
North Sea | 24 August 1943 |