42-39783 Blues in the Knight

Staff-Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in the Knight". Image stamped on reverse: 'International News Photos.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publciation 6 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '314922.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' HB 35. S/Sgt. Robert Brackman chalks up 38th Bomb on "Blues in the night" ( See above for details).' media-380043.jpg FRE 1246 Staff Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in the Knight".

Image stamped on reverse: 'International News Photos.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publciation 6 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '314922.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' HB 35. S/Sgt. Robert Brackman chalks up 38th Bomb on "Blues in the Night" ( See above for details).'
This original caption both misspells Brockman's name and the aircraft's name. Roger Freeman Collection

Corrected IWM caption in light of research carried out by Richard Lewis of https://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home and his correspondence with the Brockman family, who were told the spelling of the aircraft by M/Sgt Brockman in his personal documentations.

Object Number - FRE 1246 - Staff Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in...

Delivered Long Beach 30/8/43; Scott 17/9/43; Assigned 360BS/303BG Molesworth 19/10/43; transferred 545BS/384BG [JD- ] Grafton Underwood 2/11/43; then transferred 526BS/379BG [LF-B] Kimbolton 11/11/43. Missing in Action Berlin 19 May 1944 with Pilot Merlyn P. Wilson, Co-pilot: Dean W. Reid, Navigator: Frederick A. L. High, Bombardier: Henry P. McGreevy, Radio Operator: Clayton W. Bates, Ball turret gunner: John P. Strouse, Waist gunner: Wayne M. Davis, Tail gunner: Albert M. Van Dyke (8 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/Top Turret gunner: Arthur H. Stanton (KIA-shot after he bailed out). Flak, crashed Kletkamp, near Blekendorf, four miles SE of Lütjenburg, 20 miles SE of Kiel, Germany. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 4929.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13068908
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Staff-Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in the Knight". Image stamped on reverse: 'International News Photos.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publciation 6 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '314922.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' HB 35. S/Sgt. Robert Brackman chalks up 38th Bomb on "Blues in the night" ( See above for details).'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35310857
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew Chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19115504
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-707054
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20153772 at enlistment, then O-757896
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 19 May 1944 Flak, crashed between Blekendorf and Kletkamp, Germany

Revisions

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Corrected manufacturer
Added to description.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 4929

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft to Robert J Brockman's record.

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

FROM THE AIRCRAFT RECORD CARDS OF THE 379TH BG

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

From the aircraft record cards furnished by the 379th BG

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

This aircraft was a replacement for 42-37791 Nose Art "Blues in the Night" Ground Crew chief S/Sgt Brockman 42-39783 was named "Blues in the Knight" by S/Sgt Brockman Wrong Nose Art. This is from the record cards of these aircraft.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4929 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-39783: Gallery (1 items)