42-31717 Hells Bells

Delivered Cheyenne 9/12/43; Kearney 24/12/43; Prestwick 15/1/44; Assigned 568BS/390BG [BI-A] Framlingham 17/1/44; Missing in Action [14m] Berlin 8/3/44 with Paul Quillin, Co-pilot: Harmon Jordan, Navigator: Jake Simonitsch, Bombardier: Ray Jabara, Radio Operator: Larry Volk, Ball turret gunner: Jesse Best, Waist gunner: Bill Malyuch, Waist gunner: Bill Schmidt, Tail gunner: Myrle Clausen (9 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lou Le Baron (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Kobbelitz?, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 2988. HELLS BELLS.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.

390th Bomb Group

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

People

Andrew John Archiopoli

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Darwin Eugene Arnold

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20738401 at enlistment
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Walter Aaron Backman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17071899 at enlistment
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Jesse V Best

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Frank Chester Bobrowicz

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32686782
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 8 March 1944

Revisions

Date20 Mar 2023 22:22:49
Contributorjmoore43
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.

Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.

Date24 Jul 2020 14:30:30
ContributorED-BB
Sources

Connected with Johnny Enlow

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:40
ContributorAAM
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2988 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database