41-24617 Southern Comfort
![An airman of the 305th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Southern Comfort". Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '305BG. 16-2-43.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-407682.jpg.webp?itok=BxUVuFPJ)
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4286 - An airman of the 305th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Southern Comfort". Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943....
Assigned 364BS/305BG [WF-J] Presque 19/10/42; Grafton Underwood 25/10/42; fire & severe battle damaged over Rotterdam shipyards 31/3/43 with Hugh Ashcraft, Co-pilot: Bill Lakey, Navigator: Bert Wells, Bombardier: Jim Moberley, Radio Operator: Doug Glover, Ball turret gunner: Ray Armstrong, Waist gunner: Jim Patterson, Waist gunner: Frank Corser, Tail gunner: Frank Hilsabeck (9 Returned to Duty);
Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Steve Gogoyla Killed in Service -killed when slipped out of his chute after nearing Tolleshunt Major, a couple of miles away; pilot eventually brought the ship staggering back to crash land in woods at Beacon Hill, near Wickham Bishops, Witham, Ex., UK.; sal 1/4/43. SOUTHERN COMFORT.
A/C appears taxiing in after mission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEm49EgG1hs
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17038577
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17016881 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
Missions
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Beacon Hill, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Essex, UK | 31 March 1943 | Fire & severe battle damaged over Rotterdam shipyards 31/3/43. Crew baled out over England with TTG slipping out of his harness (KIA) [9 x RTD], pilot eventually brought the ship staggering back to crash land in woods at Beacon Hill, near Wickham Bishops, Witham, Eng. |
|
Other Salvaged |
Beacon Hill, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Essex, UK | 1 April 1943 | Salvaged 1/4/43. |
|
Assigned |
Grafton Underwood, UK | Assigned to 364BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Updated the Production block number per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17f-27-bo-41-24585-4…
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.