42-31188 Dead Man's Hand
Website of the 447th Bomb Group Association: http://447bg.com/42-31188.htm
Delivered Cheyenne 30/9/43; Harvard 16/10/43; Assigned 709BS/447BG Rattlesden 21/11/43; Missing in Action Pirna (111m)19/4/45 with Bob Glazener, Ray Fortier, Ernie Purcifull, Seb Bucceri, Hobart Jarvis, Theo Ciernier, no wg ?, Jim Burton (7 Prisoner of War); Harry Cramer (Killed in Action); jet enemy aircraft, crashed Dresden, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 14180. DEAD MAN'S HAND.(Last heavy bomber lost to enemy aircraft).
One of the 447th's "Century Ships", Dead Man's Hand is credited with 111 combat missions, and on its final mission had the sad distinction of being the last combat loss for the 447th and the last 8th Air Force heavy lost to German fighters in the War.
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
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 709th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 19 April 1945 |
Revisions
Sources: 447th Bomb Group Association website 447bg.com and book "Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany" by Donald L. Miller.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 14180 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database