42-102434 Heaven's Above/Panhandle Kid

Delivered Cheyenne 3/3/44; Dorval (Montreal) 10/3/44; Assigned RAF [HB783]; transferred USAAF 26/3/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG [L] Knettishall 22/3/44; battle damaged Merseburg 28/9/44 with Elroy Gierach, Co-pilot: Percy Mead, Navigator: Harry Hobbs, Bombardier: Milton Gunnarson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ray Smith, Radio Operator: Martin Krey, Ball turret gunner: Daryl Daugherty, Waist gunner: Jim Hyde,Tail gunner: Jim Hodgin (9 Returned to Duty); flak damaged two engines, crash landed Les Villette, near Brasur-Liennes, SW of Malmedy, Bel; Missing Air Crew Report 9379. PANHANDLE KID.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-712382
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

  • Date: 28 September 1944
  • Date: 21 September 1944
  • Date: 19 September 1944
  • Date: 17 September 1944
  • Date: 12 September 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

3 March 1944 Assigned to the RAF as HB783

Other

Transferred to the USAAF

26 March 1944 388 BG 561 BS

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

28 September 1944 Flak Damaged two engines over target

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 9379 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database