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 media-378885.jpg 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 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: 18032511
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13145607
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Lieutenant Reeder and his crew, of the 359th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, with their B-17 Flying Fortress, nicknamed "The Duchess". Printed caption on reverse of print: '61772 AC - Lt. Reeder and crew of the 359th Bomb. Sqd., 303rd Bomb. Group besides a Boeing B-17 "The Duchess", England, 17 July 1943. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14065192 / O-735661
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31165300
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Staff Sergeant W.W. Stephens a tail gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group admires the emblem "Ace Hi" painted on the tail of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Eight Ball II." Passed for publication 23 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- S/Sgt. W.W. Stephens (from Spokane, Washington) admires the emblem "Ace Hi" painted on the tail of the new "Eight Ball II." after his return. He had the master trump when he shot down a F.W. 190 during the raid. G, December, 1942. P.N.-s.' On reverse: Planet Ne
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39289331
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

5 November 1943

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to the 8th AF mission #121 for 5 Nov 1943.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected the first name of Waist gunner, Harold Kraft, per MACR #1157 records on the 303BG website.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected the spelling of the Tail gunner's, Francis Andersen, last name per the MACR #1157 on the 303BG website.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added 3 spaces in the "Description" for readability.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected the spelling of the last name of the Waist gunner, Joe Bauer to Hauer per MACR 1157 (see Description).

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected the spelling of the last name of the Co-pilot in the "Description".

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Capitalized A/C nickname "Idaho Potato Peeler".

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to 8th AF.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added A/C nicknames mentioned in the A/C description.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1157 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

41-24565: Gallery (2 items)