41-24606 Werewolf
![B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (VK-H, serial number 41-24606) nicknamed "Werewolf", of the 303rd Bomb Group. On reverse: US Army Examiner [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-407638.jpg.webp?itok=oyQmHTOl)
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4250 - B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (VK-H, serial number 41-24606) nicknamed "Werewolf", of the 303rd Bomb Group. On reverse: US Army Examiner [Stamp].
B-17F-27-BO 41-24606 "Werewolf" was assigned 358BG/303BG [VK-H] Kellog Field, Battle Creek, Michigan on 14-Sep-42; Arrived at Molesworth, UK 16-Oct-42.
23-Jan-43 despatched on mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. The aircraft sustained damage from flak over the target. The pilot, 1LT George J. Oxrider ordered his crew of nine to bail out over the south coast of England after limping home with only one engine operating. He landed "Werewolf" on the grounds of a mental hospital at Dawlish. It was originally thought to be beyond repair. The VIII Service command later decided to repair the B-17 and fly it out. They changed three engines, and cleared trees, walls, and hedges to made a 2,500 foot runway. The take-off was successful and it was flown to Honington Air Depot for further major repairs. On 22 April 43, after repairs were completed, it was transferred to 91BG/401BS where it remained for two months.
Salvaged 23-Jan-43 and repaired at Honington AD then transferred 401BS/91BG [LL-G] Bassingbourn 22-Apr-43; no missions 3 AAD Langford Lodge 11-Jun-43; 2 SAD Lt Staughton 14-Jun-43; CCRC Bovingdon; Salvaged NBD 18-Jun-45. WEREWOLF.
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: O-728192
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
![Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group play a game between missions. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257512.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Checker game between raids. Four airmen shown in the picture are (left to right) 2nd Lt Donald L Grant, navigator. Aged 23, and he comes from Sullivan, Ill. and holds the Air Medal and 2 Clusters, his wife Mrs DL Grant lives at R F D I Okolona Miss. Formerly employed as a truc](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378843.jpg.webp?itok=abToNZJE)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-728200
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17033050
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39180233
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39168429
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Places
Missions
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Crash Landing w/Battle Damage |
23 January 1943 | Aircraft sustained battle damage on mission to Lorient, France. limped home on one engine. All crew baled out except pilot who crash landed the aircaft at Dawlish, UK. | |
|
Other Transferred |
22 April 1943 - 11 June 1943 | Transferred to 91BG/401BS at Bassingbourn, UK. Did not fly any missions with the 91BG. Sent to 3rd Air Depot at Langford Lodge, UK 11-Jun-43. | |
|
Other Transferred |
11 June 1943 - 14 June 1943 | Transferred to 3rd Air Depot at Langford Lodge, UK on 11-Jun-43 then sent to 2nd Strategic Arms Depot at Alconbury, UK on 14-Jun-43. | |
|
Other Transferred |
14 June 1943 - 1 July 1943 | Transferred to 2nd Strategic Arms Depot at Alconbury, UK on 14-Jun-43 then posted to 92BG at the Combat Crew Replacement Center, Alconbury on 1-Jul-43. | |
|
Other 92BG CCRC |
1 July 1943 - 18 July 1945 | Served at the Combat Crew Replacment Center at Alconbury, UK and used in training until it was sold for scrap on 18-Jun-45 | |
|
Other Sold for Scrap |
18 June 1945 | Sold for Scrap in England at Alconbury on 18-Jun-1945. |
Revisions
Lee Cunninghjam 10-Mar-2016. Added headers to crew displays for missions 1-4.
Lee Cunningham 10-Mar-2016. Changed initial assignment to Kellog Field per 303BG website records, Gary Moncur, Historian. http://www.303rdbg.com/
Lee Cunningham 10-Aug-2015. Added transfer and Salvage events pr "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Roger A. Freement with David Osborne.
Lee Cunningham 10-Aug-2015. Added Mission #4 event crw data per 303BG website Mission Report of 23-Jan-43, Gary Moncur, Historian:http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/011.pdf
Lee Cunningham 10-Aug-2015. Added Mission #3 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 3-Jan-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/009.pdf
Lee Cunningham 10-Aug-2015 Added Mission #3 event crew data per 303BG website Mission Report of 30-Dec-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/008.pdf
Lee Cunningham 10-Aug-2015. Added Mission #2 event crew data per 303BG webiste Mission Reoprt of 30-Dec-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/008.pdf
Lee Cunningham 10-Aug-43. Added Block Number, Manufacturer, Markings per 303BG website; http://www.303rdbg.com;
Made connections to Units & Missions added Mission #1 to Description and Mission #1 event crew details per 303BG website Mission Report of 17-Nov-42, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf