42-3123 Ron Chee
![Engineers work to complete the runway, in time for the first B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3123) nicknamed "Ron Chee" of the 381st Bomb Group to touch down. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Reviewed and passed 21 May 1943.' [stamp] and '265190.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- American Engineers completeing the last piece of the aerodrome - as the first "Flying Fortress" bomber arrives on the new field. AND, 21 May 1943. PN-s.' Handwritten caption on reve](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-380067.jpg.webp?itok=ekRvTxF8)
Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Reviewed and passed 21 May 1943.' [stamp] and '265190.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- American Engineers completing the last piece of the aerodrome - as the first "Flying Fortress" bomber arrives on the new field.
Handwritten caption on reverse: '381BG Gt Saling.' Roger Freeman Collection
42-3123 was originally assigned to the 96th BG and was an original aircraft with the group.
The 381st BG did not arrive in England until June 1943 and was assigned to RAF Ridgewell.
Object Number - FRE 1270 - Engineers work to complete the runway, in time for the first B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3123) nicknamed "Ron Chee" of the 96th Bomb Group...
Delivered Denver 18/2/43; Dow Fd 10/4/43; Assigned 339BS/96BG 4/43; Snetterton 12/6/43; transferred 535BS/381BG [MS-Z] Ridgewell 16/7/43; Missing in Action 7m Bremen 8/10/43 with Leslie Kemp, Co-pilot: Bill Heim, Navigator: Frank Tomlin, Bombardier: Tom Nelson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Art Jennette, Radio Operator: Walt Richards, Ball turret gunner: Gilles Gentry, Waist gunner: Ray Duffy, Waist gunner: Jim Stinsman, Tail gunner: Ed Osborn (10 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Fladdderlohausen, 10 miles SE of Quackenbruck, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 1396. RON CHEE.
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: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12137738
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17031973
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-678256
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14034482
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11039622 / O-736533
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
Missions
- Date: 8 October 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 8 October 1943 |
Revisions
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Removed associations relating to B-17 42-31234. These were incorrectly created when information from MACR 1894 was folded into this record from Paul Andrews' database.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1396 / MACR 1894 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
![Engineers work to complete the runway, in time for the first B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3123) nicknamed "Ron Chee" of the 381st Bomb Group to touch down. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Reviewed and passed 21 May 1943.' [stamp] and '265190.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- American Engineers completeing the last piece of the aerodrome - as the first "Flying Fortress" bomber arrives on the new field. AND, 21 May 1943. PN-s.' Handwritten caption on reve](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380067.jpg.webp?itok=RlFf6IZT)