42-3029 Wallaroo
![Ground personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Wallaroo". Passed as censored, then marked 'Confidential' 27 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '303. 27-8-43 A.' On reverse: 'Confidential Until Re-Classified By Censor' and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-407602.jpg.webp?itok=8KBk0dfm)
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4218 - Ground personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Wallaroo". Passed as censored, then marked...
Delivered Tulsa 13/1/43; Assigned 359BS/303BG [VK-N] Homestead 5/3/43; Molesworth 9/4/43 (35missions). Missing in Action 14 January 1944 with Pilot Captain Merle R. Hungerford Jr, Co-pilot: Karl B. Arundale, Navigator: Joe B. Vogel, Bombardier: James F. Barlow, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Charles C. Finch, Radio Operator/Gunner: Richard A. Davis Jr, Ball turret gunner: Robert L. Clink, Waist gunner: Angelo P. Petix, Waist gunner: James T. Elovich, Tail gunner: Joseph F. Fertitta, Photographer Arthur C. Nilson Jr (11 Prisoners of War). Flak, crashed near the forest of Crécy-en-Ponthieu, 25km NW of Le Meillard, 18km NE of Abbeville, France. Missing Air Crew Report 1965. WALLAROO.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16061078 / O-742551
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-752544
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18057056 / O-724591
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13084785
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18118979
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 14 January 1944
- Date: 14 May 1943
- Date: 4 May 1943
- Date: 1 May 1943
- Date: 17 April 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
14 January 1944 | Shot down by Flak - Crashed near the forest of Crécy-en-Ponthieu, 25km NW of Le Meillard, Somme Department, France |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1965 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1965 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
![Ground personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Wallaroo". Passed as censored, then marked 'Confidential' 27 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '303. 27-8-43 A.' On reverse: 'Confidential Until Re-Classified By Censor' and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407602.jpg.webp?itok=SOBOYHdl)