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41-24584

B-17 Flying Fortress

B-17F #41-24584 "Susfu" was assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-Q] Bangor 5-Oct-42; Molesworth 22-Oct-42; Missing in Action 23-Jan-43 while on a mission to bomb the port area and U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. Attacked by German FW-190 fighters and crashed at Abbey Pleyben near Edern, France. 2 KIA, 6 POW, 2 EVD, MACR 15571. Participated in 6 Operations (1 was aborted) See Biography events for crew information.

18-Nov-42 Mission #1 - U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France
22-Nov-42 Mission #2 - U-Boat pens at Lorient, France
6-Dec-42 Mission #3 - Carriage and wagon works at Lille, France
12-Dec-42 Mission #4 - Railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France - Aborted
30-Dec-42 Mission #5 - U-Boat pens at Lorient, France
23-Jan-42 Mission #6 LAST OPERATION - U-Boat pens at Lorient, France (FTR)

Service

Units

  • 303rd Bomb Group

    303rd Bomb Group

    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...

  • 427th Bomb Squadron

    427th Bomb Squadron

    Squadron

People

  • Jack Belk

    Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
    1-May-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner to 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, with the rank of Sergeant. 303BG personnel record does not indicate that he was assigned to any particular crew at that time and does not indicate when he arrived at...

  • Alvin Bridges

    Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
    12-Jun-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner on B-17F #41-24584 [GN-Q] "Susfu", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 22-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Susfu". Participated in 16 Missions (UNDER CONSTRUCTION). See Biography events.

  • Edward Broussard

    Military | Captain | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
    1-May-42 Assigned as Pilot of B-17F #41-24584 [GN-Q] "Susfu", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. Arrived in Molesworth, UK with crew of "Susfu" on 22-Oct-42. Operational participation UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

  • Benjamin Burma

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
    10-Jul-1942 Assigned as Co-Pilot of B-17F #41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. It appears from available records that he was re-assigned to B-17F #42-2966 at Dow Field, Bangor, Maine on or about 5-Oct...

  • Hudson Choice

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
    12-Jun-42 Assigned as Ball Turret Gunner on B-17F #41-24584 [GN-Q] "Susfu", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho with rank of Sergeant. 22-Oct-42 arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Susfu". Credited with 26 missions. Final rank as Staff Sergeant....

  • Albert Diffenbach

    Military | Captain | Bombardier | 303rd Bomb Group
    2-Aug-42 Assigned as a Bombardier on B-17F #41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar" at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas. 25-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "S-for-Sugar" but there is no record that he flew any missions with that aircraft. 303BG Mission Report...

  • Charles Grice

    Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 303rd Bomb Group
    10-Jul-1942 Assigned as Navigator of B-17F #41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. It appears from available records that he and his crew were re-assigned to B-17F #42-2966 at Dow Field, Bangor, Maine on...

  • Val Hannon

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
    1-May-42 Assigned to the 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho as an Aerial Gunner but records do not indicate an aircraft assigment at that time. Based on his limited mission participation it is likely that he was just a "spare" gunner, probably...

  • Edward Harmon

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
    1-May-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner on B-17F #41-24619 [GN-S], "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho with the rank of Sergeant. 25-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "S-for-Sugar." ...

  • George Henderson

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
    7-Aug-42 Assigned as Tail Gunner on B-17F 41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas. Arrived at Molesworth, UK on 25-Oct-43 aboard "S-for-Sugar". Completed a full 25-mission tour. ...

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Missions

  • VIII Bomber Command 21

    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...

  • VIII Bomber Command 22

    22 November 1942
    The U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the Primary (P) target of this mission. A combined force of 68 B-17s despatched from 91BG (18), 303BG (18) 305BG (23) and 306BG (9) against the target but a 10/10 could cover prevents all but 11 from 303BG from...

  • VIII Bomber Command 24

    6 December 1942
    The German airfield of Drucat at Abbeville, France is the primary target for 19 B-24s despatched from 44th Bomb Group but are recalled. One squadron of 6 does not hear the recall and proceeds to the target, 1 B-24 MIA. ...

  • VIII Bomber Command 25

    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...

  • VIII Bomber Command 27

    30 December 1942
    The U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the target for this mission. A combined force of 77 B-17s are despatched by 91BG (19); 303BG (16); 305BG (13) and 306BG (18). Only 40 are effective on the target. All but 1 B-17 from the 18 despatched by 306BG is...

  • VIII Bomber Command 30

    23 January 1943
    The port area and U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the primary target for this mission. 305th Bombardment Group is selected as the lead group, but condensation on the bombsight of the lead aircraft in the Group prevents the 305BG from bombing Lorient...

Places

  • Molesworth

    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...

Events

Event Location Date
Mission #1, B-17F 41-24584, 303BG/427BS Saint-Nazaire, France 18 November 1942

CREW of B-17F 41-24584 "Susfu", 303BG/427BS

CMP MAJ Charles C. Sheridan (RTB) ; CP 1LT Donald E. Stockton (RTB)
N 2LT Walter M. Soha (RTB); B 2LT Albert W. Diffenbach (RTB)
E/TTG SSGT Roy Q. Smith (RTB); RO SSGT Gordon D. Miller (RTB)
BTG SGT Durward L. Hinds (RTB); LWG SGT Edward Z. Harmon (RTB)
RWG SGT James L. Pennington (RTB); TG SGT Grover W. Henderson (RTB)
Mission #2, B-17F 41-24584, 303BG/427BS Lorient, France 22 November 1942

CREW of B-17F 41-24584 "Susfu", 303BG/427BS

P 1LT Edward J. Broussard (RTB) ; CP 2LT Benjamin H. Burma (RTB)
N 1LT Charles L. Herman (RTB); B 1LT Lyle D. Sherwood (RTB)
E/TTG SSGT Edmund L. Smock (RTB); RO SSGT William A. Karanson (RTB)
BTG SGT Hudson Choice (RTB); LWG SGT Thomas H. Morrison (RTB)
RWG SGT Wilbur F. Hummel (RTB); TG SGT Jack Belk (RTB)
Mission #3, B-17F 41-24584, 303BG/427BS Lille, France 6 December 1942

CREW of B-17F 41-24584 "Susfu", 303BG/427BS

P 1LT Edward J. Broussard (RTB) ; CP 1LT William G. LeFevre (RTB)
N 1LT Charles L. Herman (RTB); B 1LT Lyle D. Sherwood (RTB)
E/TTG SSGT Edmund L. Smock (RTB); RO SSGT William A. Karanson (RTB)
BTG SGT Hudson Choice (RTB); LWG 2LT Roy B. Moser (RTB)
RWG SGT Wilbur F. Hummel (RTB); TG SGT Alvin A. Bridges (RTB)
Mission #4, B-17F 41-24584, 303BG/427BS - Aborted Rouen, France 12 December 1942

CREW of B-17F 41-24584 "Susfu", 303BG/427BS

P 1LT Edward J. Broussard (RTB) ; CP 1LT William G. LeFevre (RTB)
N 1LT Charles L. Herman (RTB); B 1LT Lyle D. Sherwood (RTB)
E/TTG SSGT Edmund L. Smock (RTB); RO SSGT William A. Karanson (RTB)
BTG SGT Wilbur F. Hummel (RTB); LWG SGT Alvin A. Bridges (RTB)
RWG SGT Thomas H. Morrison (RTB); TG SGT Hudson Choice (RTB)
Mission #5, B-17F 41-24584, 303BG/427BS Lorient, France 30 December 1942

CREW of B-17F 41-24584 "Susfu", 303BG/427BS

P 1LT Edward J. Broussard (RTB) ; CP 1LT William G. LeFevre (RTB)
N 1LT Charles L. Herman (RTB); B 1LT Lyle D. Sherwood (RTB)
E/TTG SSGT Edmund L. Smock (RTB); RO SSGT William A. Karanson (RTB)
BTG SGT Hudson Choice (RTB); LWG SGT Thomas H. Morrison (RTB)
RWG SGT Alvin A. Bridges (RTB); TG SGT William F. Hummel (RTB)
Failed to Return (FTR) Brest, France 23 January 1943

Shot down by fighters in the area between Brest, France and the coast.
Mission #6, B-17F 41-24584, 303BG/427BS - FTR Lorient, France 23 January 1943

CREW of B-17F 41-24584 "Susfu", 303BG/427BS

P 1LT Harry A. Robey, Jr. (KIA); CP 2LT Mark L. McDermott (EVD)
N 2LT Charles R. Grace (POW); B 2LT Roy R. Moser (KIA)
E/TTG TSGT Francis Sulcofski (POW); RO SSGT Sebastian L. Vogel (EVD)
BTG SGT Wilbur F. Hummel (POW); LWG SGT Val B. Hannen (POW)
RWG SGT Thomas H. Morrison (POW); TG SGT Edward T. Levering (POW)
Nicknames
Susfu
Production block number
B-17F-25-BO Fortress
Manufacturer
Boeing
Markings and paint scheme/livery

Triangle = 1st Bomb Division
C = 303rd Bomb Group
Radio Call Sign GN: (427BS) Q = Aircraft ID

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
18 May 2021 18:45:19 jmoore43 Changes to description
Sources

Added punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
Date Contributor Update
07 January 2016 23:03:16 Lee8thbuff Changes to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2016. Added Mission #5 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Reports of 30-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/008.pdf
Date Contributor Update
07 January 2016 22:52:58 Lee8thbuff Changes to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2016. Added Mission #4 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Reports of 12-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf
Date Contributor Update
07 January 2016 22:42:34 Lee8thbuff Changes to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2016. Added Mission #3 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Reports of 6-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/005.pdf
Date Contributor Update
07 January 2016 22:31:55 Lee8thbuff Changes to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2016. Added Mission #2 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Reports of 22-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/003.pdf
Date Contributor Update
07 January 2016 22:20:49 Lee8thbuff Changes to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2016. Added Mission #1 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Reports of 17-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf
Date Contributor Update
07 January 2016 22:04:13 Lee8thbuff Changes to description, events and mission associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2016. Added Mission Participations to Description; made connections to all mission participations; moved Mission #6 crew roster to Biography event notes. Mission particiaption based on my reasearch of 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/
Date Contributor Update
20 January 2015 21:46:10 Lee8thbuff Changes to nicknames, markings, description, events, place associations and mission associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 20-Jan-2015. Added markings, nickname, target information and loss details per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A Hey MBE. added FTR event , rank, crew position, full proper names and dispositions per MACR 15571; formatted crew display.
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:40:03 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15571 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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