42-30193 Hard Luck

A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30193) nicknamed "Hard Luck". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Eceleston crew.' media-380291.jpg FRE 1486 A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30193) nicknamed "Hard Luck". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Eceleston crew.'

Kenneth L. Eccleston Crew
388th BG - 561st BS

Standing Left to Right: Kenneth L. Eccleston (P), Riley F. Bisonette (CP), John K. Dorsett (N), Milton Fletcher (B)

Kneeling Left to Right: David L. Ceely (TG), Norman D. Gallagher (FE), Joseph J. Molinari (BTG), David F. Holliman (WG/FE), George B. Doyle (R/O), Ivan Clark (WG)

Gallagher left the crew after 5 missions. He was later KIA flying with the Sundstrom Crew on 9 April 1944. Hollman took over as flight engineer. Bisonette flew six additional mission as pilot of his own crew.

Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1486 - A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30193) nicknamed "Hard Luck". Handwritten caption on reverse:...

Delivered Cheyenne 24/4/43; Sioux City 8/5/43; Smoky Hill 9/6/43; Dow Fd 14/6/43; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall 15/6/43.



Crashed on take off for Schweinfurt 14/10/43 with Paul Swift, Co-pilot: Cecil Tipper, Navigator: Paul Arbon, Bombardier: Otto Bowmaninj, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bertil Erickson, Radio Operator: John Taylor, Ball turret gunner: Joe Molinari, Waist gunner: Tom Norton, Waist gunner: Don Van Cundy,Tail gunner: Bob bPonton, pass-Colie Emlyn (11 Returned to Duty), Salvaged. HARD LUCK.



See Media entries 20794 and 20795 for pictured crew members.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37111609
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-675160
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot/Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33219803
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Cheyenne, WY, USA 24 April 1943

Assigned

Knettishall, Diss IP22 2TH, UK 15 June 1943 388 BG 561 BS Assigned to the Eccleston Crew who flew her on 17 of her 19 combat missions

Other

First 388th BG Combat Mission

Amsterdam, Netherlands 17 July 1943

Crashed

Knettishall, Diss IP22 2TH, UK 14 October 1944 An 8th Air Force Bomber Command Station, England October 1943: Nice piloting by 1st Lt. Paul Swift, saved the lives of himself and his entire crew when an engine failed and caught fire just as his Flying Fortress was taking off. The ship loaded to the limit with fuel and bombs, was near the end of the runway, traveling at 110 MPH when this airman's nightmare suddenly became a reality. Lt. Swift brought the burning ship to a stop so that the crew emerged unharmed and got clear before the explosion. (Picture at left of Pilot Swift and Navigator Lt. Arbon looking over what was left the next day.) "We almost had flying speed when the co-pilot Lt. Tipper, called out that the oil pressure was zero on No. 3 engine. The ship began to pull to the right and he saw flames coming from the dying engine. Observers report that smoke came from the tires as the brakes were applied. With a rough field ahead of him, followed by a solid wall of trees, Lt. Swift ordered wheels up. The take-off became a belly landing. The ship stopped with her nose crushed in by a tree." The entire neighborhood was cleared of personnel, planes were sent out by a different runway, and preparations were made for the explosion which was spectacular when it came. Nobody was hurt. The crew of the 561st Squadron was flying a different plane as their own "Virgin on the Verge" was being repaired that day.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-30193: Gallery (3 items)