42-31606 Belle of the Brawl

Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Four men standing to the rear and six men kneeling in front. UPL 65989 UPL 65989 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 28 July 1943/Kassel.
BACK L-R: Robert Kilmer (CP), John Barkley (N), Donald Ogilvie (P), William Wilson (B).
FRONT L-R: Francis Sylvia (FG), Emmett Hood (TT), Louis Ratkiewicz (TG), William Martin (FG), James Murray (RO), James McKeon (BT)
On

Object Number - UPL 65989 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 28 July 1943/Kassel. BACK L-R: Robert Kilmer (CP), John Barkley (N), Donald Ogilvie (P), William Wilson (B). FRONT...

Delivered Cheyenne 27/11/43; Gr Island 10/12/43; Bangor 14/12/43; Assigned 547BS/384BG [SO-O] Grafton Underwood 6/1/44, 544BS [SU-U]; Missing in Action Bonn 4 March 1944 with Hollie R. Lovvorn, Navigator: John T. Kazmerski, Bombardier: Charles T. Fleenor, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gerald E. Wilson, Radio Operator: James C. Schwartz, Ball turret gunner: Robert L. Miller, Tail gunner: Homer W. Taylor (7 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Francis J. Witt Jr ret UK 18/5/44, Waist gunner: Kenneth Leach, Waist gunner: Severino J. Fernandez both via Spain 1/6/44 (3 evaded capture); flak, crashed Hangest-sur-Somme, 11 miles NW of Amiens, France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 2739.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane.  Six men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are wearing cold-weather flying gear.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33264020
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Four men standing to the rear and six men kneeling in front.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-735966
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-746873
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-750198
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed To Return

4 March 1944 crashed near Hangest-sur-Somme, France

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the A/C nickname mentioned in several crew members "Summary bios".

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 2739

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2739 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31606: Gallery (1 items)