42-29635 Augerhead

media-20039.jpeg UPL 20039 303rd BG, 358th BS, Thompson Crew, Augerhead

Back row, left to right:
T/Sgt James R. Welch (E/LWG),
S/Sgt Donald R. Wilson (WG),
S/Sgt Ralph Nakaniski (BTG),
S/Sgt Charles J. Fulanovich (E/TTG),
T/Sgt Robert J. McGuire (R),
S/Sgt Eldred L. Aubrey (TG)

Front row, left to right:
2Lt James R. McConnen (N),
2Lt Aubrey L. Emerson (CP),
1Lt Frank H. Thompson (P),
1Lt Arni Sumarlidason (CP)

Object Number - UPL 20039 - 303rd BG, 358th BS, Thompson Crew, Augerhead Back row, left to right: T/Sgt James R. Welch (E/LWG), S/Sgt Donald R. Wilson (WG), S/Sgt Ralph...

Delivered Cheyenne 24/1/43; Salina 7/2/43; Assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-M] Molesworth 26/3/43. 18 missions. Missing in Action on the mission to bomb the airfield at Amiens-Glisy, France on 31 August 1943. Pilot: William J. Monahan; Co-pilot: Louis M. Benepe; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Walter Gasser; Ball turret gunner: Alfred R. Buinicky; Left Waist gunner: James H. Comer Jr; Right Waist gunner: Vernon E. Olson (6 Prisoner of War). Navigator: William P. Maher; Bombardier: Walter Hargrove; Radio Operator: Frank Kimotek; Photographer Verdis B. Pryor (4 evaded capture). Tail gunner: Dave Miller (KIA – bailed out but when found his legs had been blown off). Flak hits slowed ship down then enemy aircraft struck. Crashed ±15km Northeast of Dieppe, France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 470. "AUGERHEAD".

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17063132 / O-735354
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11040361
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
A bomber crew of the 303rd Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels". Passed for publication 18 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Crew Of "Hell's Angels". Photo Shows:- The crew of the Flying Fortress bomber "Hell's Angels" - left to right (standing) Lieut. Joy, co-pilot of former crew and now temporary pilot of new crew; Lieut. W.J. Monahan, of Dorchester, Mass, new pilot; Lieut. Martin L. Clark, co-pilot, of Dallas, Texas; Lieut. William P. Maher of Manchester, N.H., navi
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11095636
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
A bomber crew of the 303rd Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels". Passed for publication 18 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Crew Of "Hell's Angels". Photo Shows:- The crew of the Flying Fortress bomber "Hell's Angels" - left to right (standing) Lieut. Joy, co-pilot of former crew and now temporary pilot of new crew; Lieut. W.J. Monahan, of Dorchester, Mass, new pilot; Lieut. Martin L. Clark, co-pilot, of Dallas, Texas; Lieut. William P. Maher of Manchester, N.H., navi
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35043171
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
A bomber crew of the 303rd Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels". Passed for publication 18 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Crew Of "Hell's Angels". Photo Shows:- The crew of the Flying Fortress bomber "Hell's Angels" - left to right (standing) Lieut. Joy, co-pilot of former crew and now temporary pilot of new crew; Lieut. W.J. Monahan, of Dorchester, Mass, new pilot; Lieut. Martin L. Clark, co-pilot, of Dallas, Texas; Lieut. William P. Maher of Manchester, N.H., navi
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-734678
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Brunville, Seine-Maritime, France 31 August 1943 Reported as Missing in Action on mission to Amiens-Glisy 31/8/43. Flak hits slowed ship down then enemy aircraft struck, crashed 12 miles E of Abbeville, France. See Missing Air Crew Report 470.

Revisions

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

associated image

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Completed names, added details

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added nickname to nickname field.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Changed spelling of top turret gunner from 'Walter Quassor' to 'Walter Qassor'.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Changed spelling of top turret gunner from 'Walt Gasser' to 'Walter Quassor'.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 470 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-29635: Gallery (2 items)