42-107202 Belle of the brawl

Delivered Tulsa 20/3/44; Kearney 31/3/44; Dow Fd 7/4/44; Assigned 563BS/388BG Knettishall 8/4/44; Missing in Action Ruhland 24/8/44 with Chas Edwards, Radio Operator: Winfred Manship, Ball turret gunner: Don Drago, Waist gunner: David Dowis, Tail gunner: Virgil Barnes (5 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: David Harman, Navigator: Bob Gray, Bombardier: Don Maxon, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Watson (4 Prisoner of War); flak KO’d #4, then wing fell off, crashed near Brux, Czech; Missing Air Crew Report 8287. BELLE OF THE BRAWL.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

388th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Virgil Barnes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

David D Dowis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39164394
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Donald L Drago

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Charles W Edwards

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-854337
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Robert M Gray

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-718287
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 24 August 1944

Revisions

Date27 Jan 2020 04:34:33
Contributorjmoore43
Sources

Added a unit connection to the 8th AF.

Date27 Jan 2020 00:11:29
Contributorjmoore43
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.

Date26 Jan 2020 23:32:43
Contributorjmoore43
Sources

Added the nickname mentioned in the A/C “Description”.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:16
ContributorAAM
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8287 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database