41-24565 The Ramblin' Wreck : Idaho Potato Peeler
![Corporal Murray S. Pearl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245656.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Cpl. Murray S. Pearl, serving with the U.S.A.A.F in a bomber squadron, appreciates the heavy fur-lined jerkin issued to him, for, in private life, he was a fur manufacturer at 222 West 28th Stre](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-378885.jpg.webp?itok=y6ORcZrq)
Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245656.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Cpl. Murray S. Pearl, serving with the U.S.A.A.F in a bomber squadron, appreciates the heavy fur-lined jerkin issued to him, for, in private life, he was a fur manufacturer at 222 West 28th Street, New York City. Aged 26, and married, Pearl, who was educated at the Abraham Lincoln High School, sends the message to his wife at 406 Chester Street, Brooklyn, New York, that he hopes to be home in time for their wedding anniversary on April 2nd. ANY 9. ' Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 1017 - Corporal Murray S. Pearl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler". Image...
Assigned 359BS/303BG [BN-P] Bangor 9/10/42; Molesworth 25/10/42; force landed RAF Chipping Warden 23/1/43 with Ross Bates, 10 RTD; Missing in Action 28m Gelsenkirchen 5/11/43 with Ambrose Grant, Co-pilot: Frank Hall, Navigator: Jim Berger, Bombardier: Marion Blackburn, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Tony Kujawa, Radio Operator: Ed Sexton, Ball turret gunner: Chester Petrosky, Waist gunner: Harold Kraft, Tail gunner: Francis Andersen (9 Prisoner of War), Waist gunner: Joe Hauer (Killed in Action); flak hit crashed Wouw, four miles W of Roosendal, Holl. Missing Air Crew Report 1157. THE RAMBLIN' WRECK aka IDAHO POTATO PEELER.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35020256
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6252886
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36237910
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33292631
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
![Staff-Sergeant William C Mulgrew of the 303rd Bomb Group climbs through the escape hatch of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943.' [stamp] and '245699.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"I miss the good old American beer and the home town girls" says Staff Sargeant William C Mulgrew of the U.S. Air Force in a message home, but he seems to be cheerful enough as he climbs through the escape hatch of a plane.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378793.jpg.webp?itok=Qwd18fsQ)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32179328
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Places
Missions
![B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 303rd Bomb Group line up for take off. A B-17 (VK-I, serial number 42-3064) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is bringing up the rear. First handwritten caption on reverse of print: '27/8/43.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'VK-I. 8/9/43.' On reverse: 'Confidential Until Re-Classified By Censor' [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407640.jpg.webp?itok=Vtg9OHI5)
- Date: 27 August 1943
- Date: 19 August 1943
- Date: 12 August 1943
- Date: 30 July 1943
- Date: 25 July 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
5 November 1943 |
Revisions
Corrected the first name of Waist gunner, Harold Kraft, per MACR #1157 records on the 303BG website.
Corrected the spelling of the Tail gunner's, Francis Andersen, last name per the MACR #1157 on the 303BG website.
Corrected the spelling of the last name of the Waist gunner, Joe Bauer to Hauer per MACR 1157 (see Description).
Corrected the spelling of the last name of the Co-pilot in the "Description".
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1157 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database