41-24370 Berlin sleeper II
![A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24370) nicknamed "Berlin Sleeper" of the 342nd Bomb Squadron, 97th Bomb Group. The aircraft survived its 'tour' and returned to the USA in October 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '342BS, 97BG, Returned USA 10/43.' Printed caption on reverse: '53448 AC - Boeing B-17 "Berlin Sleeper". U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: US Air Force 1361st Photographic Squadron AAVS (MAC) Photo [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-457813.jpg.webp?itok=fFzujwcv)
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 10146 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24370) nicknamed "Berlin Sleeper" of the 342nd Bomb Squadron, 97th Bomb Group. The aircraft survived its...
Delivered Cheyenne Mod Cen 24/6/42; originally slated RAF as [FA685] ; Assigned 92BG Bovingdon /6/42 as PALE FACE; 342BS/97BG Polebrook /8/42; Maison Blanche 20/11/42; 103m, the first MTO B-17 to complete 100 missions, including participation on first night mission to Rouen, Fr.; Returned to the USA Eglin 12/10/43; was due to return to Boeing but shot down as a drone before paperwork completed. BERLIN SLEEPER II.
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
![Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg.webp?itok=n7iztoxa)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-731834
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot (Flying Fortress)
![Staff Sergeant William Ewing of the 97th Bomb Group in position inside his B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], '212089.' [censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN FLYING FORTRESSES WAIT FOR ZERO HOUR. Associated Press Photo Shows: Sgt William Ewing, side gunner and Assistant Radio Operator, from Keytesville, MO inspects the feed belt of his gun.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/cropped_medium_440x440/public/freeman/media-456668-453537-crop.jpg?itok=_yuxn_BG)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 342nd Bomb Squadron 97th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 17044675
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner/Assistant Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/41-24370-pale-face-aka-berlin-sleeper-ii/
![A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24370) nicknamed "Berlin Sleeper" of the 342nd Bomb Squadron, 97th Bomb Group. The aircraft survived its 'tour' and returned to the USA in October 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '342BS, 97BG, Returned USA 10/43.' Printed caption on reverse: '53448 AC - Boeing B-17 "Berlin Sleeper". U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: US Air Force 1361st Photographic Squadron AAVS (MAC) Photo [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-457813.jpg.webp?itok=nsZbwgls)
