42-102547 Elizabeth, The Princess, Rose of York

Princess Elizabeth and an airman of the 306th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102547) nicknamed "Rose of York", that has been named in her honour, 6 July 1944. Written on slide casing: 'Rose of York.' media-387951.jpg FRE 5939 Princess Elizabeth and Col Claude Putnam C/O of the 306th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102547) nicknamed "Rose of York", that has been named in her honour, 6 July 1944. Written on slide casing: 'Rose of York.' Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Photo.

Object Number - FRE 5939 - Princess Elizabeth and Col Claude Putnam C/O of the 306th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102547) nicknamed "Rose of York",...

Delivered Cheyenne 12/3/44; Gr Island 22/3/44; Dow Fd 3/4/44; Assigned 401BG Deenethorpe 2/5/44; transferred 367BS/306BG [GY-F] Thurleigh 5/5/44. Missing in Action 63M Berlin 3 February 1945 with Vernor F. Daley Jr, Co-pilot: Joseph J. Carbine, Navigator: Paul A. Becker, Bombardier: Robert E. Crede, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Reisel R. Horn, Radio Operator: Porfirio J. Marquez, Ball turret gunner: George W. Petrillo, Waist gunner: Silvio P. DeZolt, Tail gunner: Okey R. Coplin, Passenger: BBC News correspondent Guy Byam (10 Killed in Action). Hit by Flak over target and on the return flight. In the last radio contact, the pilot reported that one engine had been shot out and another losing gasoline and that they were headed for the English Coast. Nothing was heard nor found about the Fortress and the men on board, which were considered as having crashed in the Channel, with all men on board Missing In Action. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 12283. ROSE OF YORK.

Named for the then Princess Elizabeth Windsor (now Queen Elizabeth II) the Rose of York was originally name Princess Elizabeth but that did not meet with any official approval. The aircraft was renamed 'Rose of York' instead and was christened by the Princess on her royal visit to the airfield. It was part of the 306th Bomb Group throughout it's 62 successful missions. It was destroyed on the return from a raid to Berlin on it's 63rd mission, hit by accurate and concentrated AA fire, last contact indicated one engine out and another streaming gasoline, lost over the English channel with all 9 crew and a reporter.

Connections

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Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-783101
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: British
  • Service Numbers: R224685 (Royal Navy)
  • Role/Job: War Correspondent BBC
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13080871 / O-829796
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35847952
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13130654
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Togglier, Tail Gunner

Places

Missions

  • Date: 3 February 1945

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Renamed

Thurleigh, Bedford, Bedford MK44, UK 6 July 1944 Initially named in honour of Princess Elizabeth 'Elizabeth', then renamed 'The Princess' and finally named 'Rose of York' in a presentation attended by the King, Queen and Princess at Thurleigh.

Other

Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW)

English Channel 3 February 1945 Missing in Action on raid to Berlin 3-Feb-45 with 9 man crew and BBC News correspondent Guy Byam (10 KIA Total); hit by flak, crashed Channel, MACR 12283.

Revisions

Date18 May 2022 18:56:46
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to events and unit associations
Date14 May 2021 02:11:29
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date17 Feb 2019 09:27:28
ContributorED-BB
ChangesChanges to nicknames, markings, description and events
Sources

MACR 12283
Corrected some last names, completed first names and added middle initials

Date9 Sep 2015 23:15:39
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to production block number, markings, description, unit associations and mission associations
Date15 Jul 2015 16:02:33
Contributorjrugman
ChangesChanges to description and place associations
Sources

Page 141, The Mighty Eighth in Color, Roger Freeman

Date10 Feb 2015 21:26:06
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to nicknames and events
Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:10
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 12283 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-102547: Gallery (18 items)