42-3111 The Brass Rail, Local Girl
B-17F-25-DL 91/324-AI DF-A
Originally assigned to the 335th Bomb Squadron in May 1943, this aircraft was later transferred to the 324th BS, 91st BG based at Bassingbourn. Renamed "Local Girl," it was lost over Emden 27 September 1943, crashing at Geefsweer, Holland.
THESE ARE REPORTEDLY PHOTOS TAKEN FROM THE CRASH SITE OF "LOCAL GIRL."
Object Number - UPL 50996 - 'Local Girl' aka 'The Brass Rail' (42-3111) 324th BS, 91st BG B-17F-25-DL 91/324-AI DF-A Originally assigned to the 335th Bomb Squadron in May...
Delivered Cheyenne 16/2/43; Gore Fd 7/3/43; Assigned 335BS/95BG [OE-T] Alconbury 5/43; THE BRASS RAIL 6 missions.
Transferred 324BS/91 [DF-A1] Bassingbourn 16/6/43; Missing in Action on its 8th mission, target Emden, on 27/9/43 with Bill Pegram, Navigator: Bob Cosgrove & Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Vernon Larson (drowned when chute cords tangled in fishing aids), Waist gunner: Melvin Peters who fired till the end (4 Killed in Action);
Co-pilot: Bill Martin, Bombardier: Norman Eatinger (saved by Dutch fishermen), Radio Operator: Orlo Natvig, Ball turret gunner: Paul Ayala, Waist gunner: Fred Hutchinson, Tail gunner: Gordon Noel (6 Prisoner of War);
Me 109s set #2 ablaze, pilot held controls while crew bailed over Geefsweer, near Delfzijl, Holland. Missing Air Crew Report 667. LOCAL GIRL.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12165832
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34262740
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19122414
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-683178
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
![Staff Sergeant Donald W. Crossley, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: '21/9/43.' A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse of print, this has been lost, however considering the publication date, press agency and subject matter this was likely to have read: 'AWARDS TO THE HIGH-SCORING GUNNER. The Distinguished Flying Cross and an oak leaf cluster- the equivalent](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379270.jpg.webp?itok=7S4HAZqB)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15107390
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 27 September 1943
- Date: 11 June 1943
- Date: 29 May 1943
![An Airman of the 305th Bomb Group in his quarters Passed for publication 2 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '2/6/43.' Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Daily Sketch, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407722.jpg.webp?itok=Ukic2OZh)
- Date: 21 May 1943
- Date: 15 May 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Delfzijl, Netherlands | 27 September 1943 - 27 September 1943 | Missing in Action 8m Emden 27/9/43. Bf109's set #2 ablaze, pilot held controls while crew bailed over Emscr Geefsweer, near Delfzijl, Holland. (6 x POW, 4 x KIA) Missing Air Crew Report MACR 667. |
|
Manufactured |
GEEFSWEER | 27 September 1943 | Picture of the wreck: https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/airwar-ww2-the-pilots.54010/page-28#post-1624885 |
