42-5801 Flak Happy

Delivered Long Beach 10/2/43; Salina 27/2/43; Smoky Hill 31/3/43; Presque Is 14/4/43; Assigned 410BS/94BG Earls Colne 22/4/43; 333BS Rougham 13/6/43; transferred 327BS/92BG [UX-J] Alconbury 28/7/43; Missing in Action Bochum (T/O), Ger 12/8/43 with Paul Casey, Co-pilot: George Kearin, Navigator: Luther Baker, Radio Operator: Dave Penley, Ball turret gunner: Tom Perkins, Waist gunner: Joe Soper, Waist gunner: Audrey Berry, Tail gunner: Elmer Ripley (8 Prisoner of War); Bombardier: Chas Mayobailed out too low, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Edwards (2 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Phillipine, four miles W of Ternuezen, Holland. Missing Air Crew Report 656. FLAK HAPPY.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.
  • 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: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35046347 / O-795173
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13033792
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16052088 / O-792103
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16046006
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12053625 / O-797551
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Long Beach AAF, CA 10 February 1943 Delivered Long Beach 10-Feb-43.

Assigned

Earls Colne, UK 22 April 1943 Assigned 410BS, 94BG, 8AF USAAF.

Assigned

Rougham, UK 13 June 1943 Transferred 333BS, 94BG, 8AF USAAF.

Assigned

Alconbury, UK 28 July 1943 Transferred 327BS, 92BG, 8AF USAAF.

Crashed

Phillipine, Holland 12 August 1943 Failed to Return (FTR) Bochum, Germany 12-Aug-43; shot down by enemy aircraft, belly landed Phillipine, 4 miles W of Ternuezen, Holland. 8 x POW, 2 x KIA MACR 656

Manufactured

Burbank, CA Built at Vega.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 656 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database