42-31399

The wreckage of a B-17G Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31399) of the 303rd Bomb Group that has crash landed. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17G 42-31399. 303 BG. 22-2-44. RNAF.' media-407665.jpg FRE 4272 The wreckage of a B-17G Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31399) of the 303rd Bomb Group that has crash landed. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17G 42-31399. 303 BG. 22-2-44. RNAF.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4272 - The wreckage of a B-17G Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31399) of the 303rd Bomb Group that has crash landed. Handwritten caption on reverse:...

Delivered Cheyenne 29/10/43; Gr Island 12/11/43; Memphis 18/11/43; Assigned 360BS/303BG Molesworth 27/12/43; Co-pilot: Lt Creighton Doering (KIA-hit by .50 cal bullet possibly from another B-17) 6/2/44; Missing in Action Berburg 22/2/44 with Charles Crook, Bombardier: Joe Deluca, Radio Operator: Bob Hannan, Ball turret gunner: Roy Cheek, Waist gunner: Sal Chavez (5EVD-ret UK by 10/9/44); Co-pilot: Bill Clark, Navigator: Roscoe Davis, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lou Breitenbach, Waist gunner: Norris Williams,Tail gunner: Jim Hensley (5 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Amerong near the road at Wijk Bij Duurstede, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 2645.

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Louis H Breitenbach

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35507725
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Salvador Chavez

Salvador Chavez

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17060416
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
Roy Cheek

Roy Alburn Cheek

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17129726
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

William A Clark

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O678173
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Charles D Crook

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O801252
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Netherlands 22 February 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorsmitcons
Changes
Sources

concept of a script for a book written by me about this crew after the crashlanding

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2645 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31399: Gallery (1 items)

The wreckage of a B-17G Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31399) of the 303rd Bomb Group that has crash landed. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17G 42-31399. 303 BG. 22-2-44. RNAF.'

Object number: FRE 4272 - The wreckage of a B-17G Flying Fortress ( serial...