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B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F-25-BO 41-24558 [VK:F] "Hunga Dunga" was assigned to the 358BS/303BG [VK-F] at Bangor. Maine on 14-Oct-42; arrived at Molesworth, UK on 16-Oct-42; Missing in Action Vegasack 18-Mar-43 when it was attacked by enemy aircraft near Helgoland. Germany and flak near Wilhelmshaven, crashed on the flats on the Jadebusen (Jade Bight), near Wilhelmshaven, Germany on a mission to bomb the port facilities at Vegesack, Germany. The crew had been sent to the 303BG from the 92BG as a replacement crew. 5KIA 5POW Missing Air Crew Report 15149. The aircraft had participated in 18 Operations - 6 Aborted.
17-Nov-42 Mission #1 - U-Boat pens - St. Nazaire, France. Aborted (see Biography)
18-Nov-42 Mission #2 - U-Boat pens - St. Nazaire, France. (see Biography)
22-Nov-42 Failed to Take Off - Incomplete crew.
23-Nov-42 Mission #3 - U-Boat pens - St. Nazaire, France. (see Biography)
12-Dec-42 Mission #4 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rouen, France (see Biography)
20-Dec-42 Mission #5 - Air Depot - Romilly-sur-Seine, France (see Biography)
13-Jan-43 Mission #6 - Fives Company Locomotive Works, Lille, France (see Biography)
27-Jan-43 Mission #7 - Naval Base, Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Aborted (see Biography)
2-Feb-43 Mission #8 - Railroad marshalling yards, Hamm, Germany. Aborted (see Biography)
4-Feb-43 Mission #9 - Industrial Areas, Osnabruck, Germany - secondary. Aborted (see Biography) Guns frozen, BTG Jesse R Kinney's fingers are frozen.
14-Feb-43 Mission #10 - Industrial Areas, Hamm, Germany. Aborted (see Biography)
16-Feb-43 Mission #11 - Port Area St. Nazaire, France (see Biography)
26-Feb-43 Mission #12 - U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven, Germany - secondary - Aborted (see Biography)
27-Feb-43 Mission #13 - U-Boat pens at Brest, France (see Biography)
4-Mar-43 Mission #14 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rotterdam, Holland (see Biography)
8-Mar-43 Mission #15 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rennes, France (see Biography)
12-Mar-43 Mission #16 - Railroad marshalling yards, Rouen, France (see Biography)
13-Mar-43 Mission #17 - Railroad marshalling yards, Amiens/Longeau, France (see Biography)
18-Mar-43 - Mission #18 - LAST OPERATION - Port facilities - Vegesack, Germany (see Biography)
Group
The 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3-Feb-1942 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. They assembled at Gowen Field, Idaho on 11-February 1942 where it conducted flight training until 12-Jun-1942. The Group then moved to Alamogordo Field, New...
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
1LT Charles N. Austin was originally assigned to the 92BG and arrived in England in August 1942. On 10-Feb-43 he and his crew were transferred from 92BG to 303BG/358BS as a replacement crew and assigned to B-17F 41-24558 "Hunga Dunga". He participated...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
On 23 January 1943 in B-17F 41-24580 'Hell Cat', 303BG/358BS while serving as Tail Gunner the aircraft was downed by fighters near Brest. He was able to parachute to safety and was captured as a Prisoner of War (POW). Participated in 7 Operations -...
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 303rd Bomb Group
1LT Robert A. Coltrane was assigned as a Bombardier with 1LT Charles N. Austin's crew with the 92BG (aircraft assignment has not been determined). He arrived with the crew aborad a B-17 aircraft at Bovington, UK on 18-Aug-42. On 11-Jan-43 his aircraft,...
Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to the 92BG at Bovington as part 1LT Charles N. Austin's crew at Bovington, UK as an arial gunner. Aircraft assignment with the 92BG and number of missions flown with 92nd Group have not yet been determined.
...
Military | Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
Originally assigned to the 92BG at Bovington as part 1LT Charles N. Austin's crew at Bovington, UK as an arial gunner. Aircraft assignment with the 92BG and number of missions flown with 92nd Group have not yet been determined.
...
Military | First Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
1LT Norbert B. Feldman was assigned as a Co-Pilot with 1LT Charles N Austin's crew with 92BG (aircraft assignment not determined) and arrived with the 92BG at Bovington, UK on 18-Aug-42. On 11-Jan-43 the 92BG was moved to Alconbury where he was...
Military | Sergeant | Radio Operator | 303rd Bomb Group
Shot down by flak and fighters 18th March 1943 in B-17F 41-24558 [VK:F] 'Hunga Dunga', 303BG/358BS while serving as Radio Operator. Target was submarine yards at Vegesack, Germany. Prisoner of War (POW). Participated in 13 operations (2 aborts) with...
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
1LT Joseph E. Haas was assigned as Pilot of B-17F 41-24558 [VJ:F] "Hunga Dunga", 303BG/358BS on 10-Sep-42 at Kellog Field, Battle Creek, Michigan. He arrived with the aircraft at Molesworth, UK on 16-Oct-42. He flew B-17F 41-24558 on 6 Operations - 1...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
Shot down 3 January 1943 in B-17F 41-24526 "Leaping Liz" while serving as Right Waist Gunner. Plane crashed into Bay of Biscay. Killed in Action (KIA). Participated in 7 Operations - 2 Aborts. (See Biography events)
...
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
15-Sep-42 Assigned as Co-Pilot to B-17F #41-24539 [VK-K] "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358BS at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan. 10-Oct-42 moved with aircraft and crew to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine in preparation for deployment ovreseas. 16-Oct-42 Arrived...
17 November 1942
The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the Primary (P) target for a combined force of 49 B-17s despatched from 91BG (20), 303BG (16) and 306BG (13). Another element of 14 B-24s despatched from 93BG also joins the bombing force on St. Nazaire. The...
18 November 1942
The U-Boat pens at Lorient and La Pallice, France are the Primary (P) targets for this mission. However, those at St. Nazaire, France are attacked by 21 B-17s of 303BG when they are mistaken for those of Lorient. The force attacking Lorient is composed...
23 November 1942
The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the Primary (P) for this mission. A combined force of 50 B-17s despatched from 91BG (10), 303BG (12), 305BG (20) and 306BG (8) to attack this target. 91BG is not able to put any of their group on the target,...
12 December 1942
This mission is composed of two elements. First element: The German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France is the Primary (P) target for a force of 78 B-17s despatched from 91BG (19), 303BG (20), 305BG (21) and 306BG (18). However, the target is...
20 December 1942
The German Air Depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France is the Primary (P) target for a combined force of 80 B-17s despatched by 91BG (17), 303BG (21); 305BG (23) and 306BG (19). 60 B-17 are effective on the target, but 7 are MIA and 1 is DBR.
...
13 January 1943
The primary target for this mission is the Atclier d'Hellemmes locomotive works, associated steel works and the railroad marshalling yards at Lille, France. The attacking force is composed of 72 B-17s from: 91BG (13); 303BG (19); 305BG (23) and 306BG ...
27 January 1943
First successful attack by 8th Air Force into Germany. The 306th Bomb Group gets the distinction of being the first American Bomb Group to drop bombs on Germany. O Original target was Vegesack but clouded over. Col. Frank Armstrong lead the group. Two...
2 February 1943
All six 8th Air Force Bomb Groups operting from Great Britain are ordered on a mission to bomb the marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany. 61 B-17s and 22 B-24s are despatched but the formation runs into severe weather over the North Sea and the mission in...
4 February 1943
The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are again designated as the primary target for this mission follwing the abortive attempt of 2-Feb-43. However, weather and extreme cold frustrate this operation also. The main attacking force consists of 65 B-17s...
14 February 1943
The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are once again slated at the primary target for this mission. A force of 74 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (20); 303BG (17); 305BG (17); 306BG (20), but weather once again forces the mission to be recalled before...
Military site : airfield
Molesworth was one of the early stations used by the Eighth Air Force in the UK, first occupied by the 15th Bomb Squadron’s Douglas Bostons in June 1942. Built in 1940 and extended and improved in 1942, Molesworth is most associated with the 303rd...
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mission # 1 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS Aborted | Saint-Nazaire, France | 17 November 1942 |
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CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD); SP 2LT Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) |
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| Mission #2 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Saint-Nazaire, France | 18 November 1942 |
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CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD): CP 2LT Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) |
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| Mission #3 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/359BS | Saint-Nazaire, France | 23 November 1942 |
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CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD); CP 2LT Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) |
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| Mission #4 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Rouen, France | 12 December 1942 |
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CREW Command P MAJ Clemens K Wurzbach (RTD); CP 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD) |
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| Mission #5 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Romilly-sur-Seine, France | 20 December 1942 |
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CREW P 1LT Joseph E. Haas (RTD); CP Robert S. O'Conner (RTD) |
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| Mission #6 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Lille, France | 13 January 1943 |
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CREW P Joseph E. Haas (RTD); 1LT Merle R. Hungerford, Jr. (RTD) |
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| Mission #7 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS AborteAborted | Wilhelmshaven, Germany | 27 January 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT James M. McDonald (RTD); CP 2LT Dave L. Rogan (RTD) |
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| Mission #8 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG,358BS Aborted | Hamm, Germany | 2 February 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Robert J. Nolan (RTD); CP 2LT Richard L. Kruse (RTD) |
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| Mission #9 B-17F 42-24558, 303BG/360BS Aborted | Osnabrück, Germany | 4 February 1943 |
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CREW P Robert J. Nolan (RTD); CP 2LT Richard L. Kruse (RTD) |
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| Mission #10 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS Aborted | Hamm, Germany | 14 February 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) |
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| Mission #11 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Saint-Nazaire, France | 16 February 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) |
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| Mission #12 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted | Wilhelmshaven, Germany | 26 February 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) |
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| Mission #13 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Brest, France | 27 February 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) |
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| Mission #14 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 4 March 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) |
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| Mission #15 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Rennes, France | 8 March 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) |
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| Mission #16 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted | Rouen, France | 12 March 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Robert J. Nolan (RTD); CP 2LT Richard L. Kruse (RTD) Mission aborted when the left side of the flexible oxygen |
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| Mission #17 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS | Amiens, France | 13 March 1943 |
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P 1LT Charles N. Austin (RTD); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (RTD) |
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| Mission #18 B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS Failed to Return (FTR) | Jade Bight, Germany | 18 March 1943 |
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CREW P 1LT Charles N. Austin (POW); CP 1LT Norbert B. Feldman (KIA) Shot down by AA fire and fighters and crashed on the Jadebusen flats (Jade Bight) near Wilhelmshaven on a mission to bomb the submarine construction yards at Vegesack, Germany. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 16 August 2015 00:21:50 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #17 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 13-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/023.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 August 2015 23:29:40 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015 Added Mission #16 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 12-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 August 2015 22:22:13 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #15 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 8-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/021.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 August 2015 22:17:21 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #14 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 4-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/019.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 August 2015 22:13:22 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #14 event crew date per 303BG website Mission Report of 27-Feb-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/018.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 August 2015 22:06:52 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015. Added Mission #12 event per 303BG website Mission Report of 26-Feb-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 August 2015 21:53:09 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 15-Aug-2015 Added Mission #12 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 26-Feb-43, Garu Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 15 August 2015 21:40:42 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 16-Aug-2015. Added Mission # 12 thru #17 to Description per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missions.html |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 05 August 2015 21:19:32 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-2015. Added Mission #11 to Descruption and Mission #11 Biography event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 16-Feb-43, Gary Moncur, HIstorian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/016.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 05 August 2015 20:54:59 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-43 Added Mission #10 to Description and Mission #10 Biography event with crew data per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/015.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 05 August 2015 19:43:21 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-43, Added Mission #9 to Decription and Mission #9 Event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/014.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 05 August 2015 19:08:55 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 5-Aug-2015. Added Mission #8 to Description and Mission #8 Event crew data per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/013.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 04 August 2015 23:30:44 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 4-Aug-2015. Added Mission #7 to Description and Mission #7 crew data to Biography per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/ |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 04 August 2015 18:17:49 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunnningham 4-Aug-2015. Added Mission #6 to Description and Mission #6 crew details to Biography per 303BG website, Mission Report od 13-Jan-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/010.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 August 2015 21:47:38 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015 Added Mission #5 to Description and Mission #5 crew data to Biography per 303BG website, Mission Report of 20-Dec-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 August 2015 21:29:03 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-43. Added Mission #4 to Description and Mission #4 crew data to Biogrpahy per 303BG website, Mission Report of 12-Dec-42, Gary Moncyr, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 August 2015 21:08:39 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-43. Added Mission 3# to Description and Mission #3 crew data to Biography per 303 BG website, Mission Repoert of 23 Nov-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/004.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 August 2015 20:57:32 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015. Added Mission #2 to Description and Mission #2 crew to Biography per 303BG website, Mission Report of 18-Nov-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/002.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 August 2015 20:39:07 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015. Added 17-Nov-43 Mission #1 and Biography Mission #1 crew list per 303BG website Mission Report of 17-Nov-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 August 2015 19:23:34 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to nicknames, markings, description, events, place associations and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 3-Aug-2015. Added nickname, markings, edited Description, converting dates to military-style signification, and loaa and Mission details per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; made connection to Place within existing website data; Made connections to all mission participation based on 303rd Bomb Group Mission Reports 303BG website, Gray Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missions.html; Added FTR event note per MACR 15149; Added crew position, rank, full proper name and disposition of crew members for 18-Mar-43 Mission and formatted crew display per MACR 15149. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:40:03 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15149 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database |
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