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

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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

Missions

568

  • Date: 24 August 1944

552

  • Date: 14 August 1944

549

  • Date: 13 August 1944

533

  • Date: 9 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

24 August 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://388bg.com/servlet/Controller?pageType=detail&id=42-107202&dataT…

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a unit connection to the 8th AF.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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