42-31363 Vapor Trail
From son of Rene C. Fix. Private photo
Object Number - UPL 45953
Delivered Cheyenne 25/6/43; Gr Island 7/11/43; Nashville 13/11/43; Assigned 368BS/306BG [BO-G] Thurleigh 19/12/43; Missing in Action Tours 27/3/44 with Pilot: Rene Fix, Co-Pilot: Weldon Franz, Navigator: Pete Kenny, Bombardier: Chas Hill, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gene Engburg, Radio Operator: Dave Stoddard, Ball turret gunner: Rudi Phillips, Waist gunner: Alvin Nauman, Waist gunner: Frank Pfeifer, Tail gunner: Wade McRary (10 Prisoner of War); flak KO’d #3 & #4, water landing Bay of Biscay, picked up by German seaplane; Missing Air Crew Report 3479. VAPOR TRAIL.
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: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-682841
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-813880
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-754840
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-814334
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delivered |
Cheyenne, WY | 25 June 1943 | |
|
Assigned |
Thurleigh Airfield, UK | 19 December 1943 | 306BG 368BS BO-G |
|
Other Shot Down/Ditched |
Bay of Biscay | 27 March 1944 |
