42-29965

media-24732.png UPL 24732 Caption : “Lt. Thornton and crew of the 92nd Bomb Group beside a Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress”. England, 15 November 1943.” (Official USAAF photo).

Note : Lt Thornton was shot down with his crew on the following day’s mission to Knaben, Norway on board B-17 “Flagship” # 42-29996 - Lt Thornton is standing, 5th from left top row and the only other identifiable man is Right Waist Gunner S/Sgt Otto F. Trammer, 2nd from left top row.

The others are most probably Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Whitney M. Bray; Navigator 2nd Lt David C. Besbris; Bombardier 2nd Lt Arthur A. Carmell; Top Turret Gunner S/Sgt John Geegee; Radio Operator T/Sgt Laurence E. Dennis; Ball Turret Gunner S/Sgt Dean M. Sommers; Left Waist Gunner S/Sgt Charles H. Hartnett; Tail Gunner S/Sgt Rolland A. Galloway.

Four others are members of the ground crew. S/Sgt Dean Sommers 1st from left top row. T/Sgt Laurence Dennis 1st on right, top row

JWDennis

Object Number - UPL 24732 - Caption : “Lt. Thornton and crew of the 92nd Bomb Group beside a Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress”. England, 15 November 1943.” (Official USAAF...

Delivered Cheyenne 18 March 43; Gore 28 March 1943; Presque Isle 5 May 1943; Assigned 333BS/94BG Earls Colne 12 May 1943; Rougham 13 June 1943; transferred 407BS/92BG [PY-L] Alconbury 26 July 1943; Missing in Action Stuttgart 6 September 1943 with, Pilot Frederick T. Prasse; Co-pilot: Joseph F. Thornton; Navigator: David C. Besbris; Bombardier: Fred Champion; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Geegee; Radio Operator: Laurence E. Dennis; Ball turret gunner: John W. Disher; Left Waist gunner: Charles H. Hartnett; Right Waist gunner: Otto F. Trammer; Tail gunner: Rolland A. Galloway (10 Returned to Duty). Flak, low on fuel on return, ditched Channel, all rescued by French boat. No MACR (Missing Air Crew Report).

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11998665 /O-674111
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39169650
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Togglier / Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36048962
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17034210
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner/Radar Controller
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39099087
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Typo

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Associated with crew 965.

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Marchese; Flying Fortress 1936 1945

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Completed/corrected names of crew on the 6 September 1943 mission

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-29965: Gallery (2 items)