42-31537 Randie Lou, BUFFALO GAL

The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Randie Lou" of the 385th Bomb Group. 

Handwritten caption on reverse: '385.' media-413657.jpg FRE 4973 The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Randie Lou" of the 100th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

Michael P. Faley- 100th BG Historian

Object Number - FRE 4973 - The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Randie Lou" of the 100th Bomb Group.

Delivered Cheyenne 19/11/43; Kearney 2/12/43; Presque Is 10/12/43; Assigned 332BS/94BG [XM-B] Rougham 23/12/43 FRIDAY THE 13TH; transferred 350BS/100BG [LN-S] Thorpe Abbotts 24/12/43; 349BS [XR- ]; ran out of gas on Ruhland mission 21 June 1944 with Lt Chadwick, force landed Kiev, Russia. Missing in Action Merseburg 29 July 1944 with Pilot William T. Fitzroy, Navigator: Floyd F. Hartman, Ball Turret gunner: Bernard L. Spragg, Waist gunner: Frank W. Buschmeier, Tail gunner: Joseph P. O’Donnell (5 Prisoners of War). Co-pilot: Robert Dykeman, Bombardier: Floyd O. Douglas, Flight Engineer/Top Turret gunner: Ira L. Arnold, Radio Operator: Carmine V. Roberto (4 Killed in Action). Enemy aircraft, crashed 1km East of Punschrau, South of Merseburg, Germany. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 7809. RANDY LOU aka BUFFALO GAL.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38338409
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35683437
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32383566
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Togglier / Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19101831 at enlistment, then O-755534
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13038519 at enlistment, then O-755538
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

  • Date: 21 June 1944
  • Official Description:

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Punschrau, Germany 29 July 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Updated the A/C nickname per info in the A/C “Description” section.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 7809

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

dded nickname from the attached photo.

Date
ContributorKauko56
Changes
Sources

own research. No place named "Pauschrau" in Germany.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7809 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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