42-30088 Squawkin Hawk II

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30088) nicknamed "Squawkin' Hawk I" of the 100th Bomb Group, signed by personnel. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Thorpe Abbott. Home 17/5/44. 100th Bomb Group.' Printed caption on reverse: '53312AC - Proud Veteran Goes Home ... With hundreds of autographs on its sleek hull, the war-weary veteran Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Squawkin' Hawk I" is shown shortly before it took off from its 8th AAF bases in England to return to the U.S. for retirement. Covering 47,720 media-407392.jpg FRE 4124 A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30088) nicknamed "Squawkin' Hawk I" of the 100th Bomb Group, signed by personnel. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Thorpe Abbott. Home 17/5/44. 100th Bomb Group.' Printed caption on reverse: '53312AC - Proud Veteran Goes Home ... With hundreds of autographs on its sleek hull, the war-weary veteran Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Squawkin' Hawk I" is shown shortly before it took off from its 8th AAF bases in England to return to the U.S. for retirement. Covering 47,720 combat miles without one member of its personnel being injured and participating in 50 missions is the enviable record set by this veteran of the skies.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4124 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30088) nicknamed "Squawkin' Hawk I" of the 100th Bomb Group, signed by personnel. Handwritten caption on...

Delivered Cheyenne 8/4/43; Kearney 16/4/43; Wendover 2/5/43; Hill 12/5/43; Wendover 18/5/43; Kearney 22/5/43; Dow Field 27/5/43; Assigned 349BS/100BG [XR-E] Thorpe Abbotts 9 June 1943. Severe battle damage over Stuttgart 6 September 1943 with Sumner Reeder, Navigator: Russell Engel - Wounded in Action, Bombardier: Peter F. Delao Jr], rest unknown; Co-pilot: Harry E. Edeburn (Killed in Action); but limped back to base Missing Air Crew Report 99906. Again suffered heavy damage 5 November 1943 on the Gelsenkirchen mission with William R. Flesh & Co-Pilot John G. Gossage (2 Returned to Duty); Navigator: Omar Gonzales, Bombardier: James J. Lux, Assistant Radio Operator/gunner: Francis G. Dolsen, Tail gunner: James Marasco (4 Prisoners of War); Radio Operator: Conner D. Brewster (KIA-chute failed); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harold L. Pope, Waist Gunner George P. Gineikis, Waist Gunner Leon E. McDonald (3 evaded capture with the help of the Belgian Comète evasion network). Lt Flesh and his Co-Pilot Gossage managed to fly the plane back to England and landed at the RAF Tangmere airfield, Sussex [ Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 15553. ] Returned to the USA 17 May 1944; Hendricks 8 June 1944; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 13 December 1945. First aircraft in 100th Bomb Group to fly 50 missions. SQUAWKIN' HAWK II.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34201968
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36507324
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Assistant Radio Operator / Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13037471 / T-060794
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added associations to the 349th BS & 100th BG as listed in the A/C “Description” section.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 15553
Corrected typos in some names

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Information gathered after visiting the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum.

Date
Changes
Sources

Associated people from MACR 15553

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-30088: Gallery (4 items)