42-31917 Off Spring
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4980 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31917) nicknamed "Off Spring" of the 551st Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse:...
Delivered Cheyenne 4/1/44; Kearney 13/1/44; Grenier 26/1/44; Assigned 551BS/385BG [SG-S] Gt Ashfield 2/2/44; Missing in Action Munich 12/7/44 with Capt Rich White, Co-pilot: Clarry Gittins, Navigator: Jim Johnston, Bombardier: Pat Flanagan, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Marvin Nieman, Radio Operator: Harry Fitzwater, Ball turret gunner: Homer Comegys, Waist gunner: Sam Canter, Waist gunner: Bill Lord (9 Killed in Action);Tail gunner: Bob McPherson (Prisoner of War); mid air coll with 42-102606 (385BG), both broke up and crashed Perl, Luxemberg. Missing Air Crew Report 7507. OFF SPRING was originally named for the newborn son of one time pilot Duane (Pappy) Pangle.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=3DyNylCs)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17067450
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20532820 / O-48735
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17096706 / O-693026
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Curley's Kids
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 12 July 1944 |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7507 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
