42-39801 Double Trouble II, Northern Queen
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 801 - Ground personnel of the 94th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39801) nicknamed "Northern Queen".
Delivered Long Beach 4 September 1943; Gr Island 22 September 1943; Assigned 332BS/94BG [XM-B] Rougham 27 September 1943. Missing in Action Berlin 4 March 1944 with Pilot Julius O. Blake; Co-Pilot George G. Wedd Jr; Bombardier William P. Calmes; Navigator James W Branagan; Radio Operator: Edgar C. Finstad; Flight Engineer/Top Turret gunner: James M. Hiller; Ball Turret Gunner : Floyd A. Franchini; Right Waist gunner: Edward F. Latham; Left Waist gunner : Luther E. Lefever; Tail gunner: David G. Chang. James Branagan's body was found with serious internal injuries and the rip cord of his parachute unpulled (KIA). Julius Blake, James Hiller, Edgar Finstad and Edward Latham evaded capture. David Chang was arrested the day after the crash. The four others were helped in their evasion by Belgian patriots but were all arrested later. Mechanical failure on return flight; crashed Zevekote, seven miles North of Diksmuide, Belgium. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 2978. (1 KIA; 4 Evaded; 5 Prisoners of War-POWs). DOUBLE TROUBLE II aka NORTHERN QUEEN.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14075415 and O-749191
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32567253 and O-688624
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19141008
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Rougham
Missions
- Date: 4 March 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
near Zevekote, 8470 Gistel, Belgium | 4 April 1944 | Took off from Bury St Edmunds at 07:35 on 4 March 1944 for a mission to Berlin. On the return flight, met with mechanical problems. Engine # 3 out of commission, could not be feathered. No fire broke out, but the violently vibrating Fortress became uncontrollable and Pilot Blake gave the bail out order. Crashed near Zevekote (Gistel), 12km North of Diksmuide, Belgium |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2978 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
