42-31145 Old man
Delivered Dallas 25/9/43; Harvard 6/10/43; Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-N] Thurleigh 19/11/43; transferred 708BS/447BG Rattlesden /44; Missing in Action Evreux 6/2/44 with Allen Reed, Co-pilot: Arthur Clark, Navigator: Jim Campbell, Bombardier: Tom Wilkins (4 Killed in Action); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Davidge, Radio Operator: Edmund Harma, Ball turret gunner: Paul Boles, Waist gunner: Jim Alexander, Waist gunner: Ben Denny, Tail gunner: Bob Russ (6 Prisoner of War); flak, crash landed Chaville, four miles SW of Paris, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 2353. OLD MAN.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33342767
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35370947
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 710th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-739539
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-803927
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14151400
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 6 February 1944 |
Revisions
Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description”.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2353 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database