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
People
![Sergeant Fred Dioquardo of the 303rd Bomb Group stokes the stove inside a hut. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 28 Jan 1943.' [stamp], '245666.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Stoking the stove in an American Army Air Force hut somewhere in England. Sergeant Fred Dioquardo, of Bayport, Long Island, asked the photographer to send this message back to his parents and fiance Miss H Sherwood , Maple Ave, Long Island: "I will be home when I](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378811.jpg.webp?itok=kZtxwdDu)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 7071292
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31192480
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18190215
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34393652
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18014955 at enlistment, then O-421102
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot; Pilot
Places
Missions
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