42-3294 Suzanne

Delivered Denver 20/4/43; Dow Field 13/6/43; Assigned 550BS/385BG [SG-G] Gt Ashfield 16/6/43; transferred 549BS landing accident at base with Ed Stone 28/7/43; Missing in Action Merignac 5/12/43 with Novo Maryonovich, Co-pilot: Bill Flagler, Navigator: Gerhard Kirschke, Bombardier: Francis Stetson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Hugh Bradford, Radio Operator: Edwin Johnson, Ball turret gunner: Gordon Akley, Waist gunner: Tom Armstrong, Waist gunner: Carl Williams, Tail gunner: Ed McMillan (10 INT); battle damaged ditched Atlantic off Portugal, all rescued and returned to UK via British Embassy knowhow, calling the crew 'shipwrecked mariners!'. Missing Air Crew Report 1338; SUZANNE.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

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

People

Gordon Everett Akley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31156780
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Thomas James Armstrong

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13099050
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Hugh Oliver Bradford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34356647
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

William F Flagler

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron 803rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-799367
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Erwin Roger Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12054136
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

North Atlantic off Portugal 5 December 1943 Failed to Return (FTR) Merignac 5-Dec-43. Ditched off Portugal, crew interned.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28692035
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-3294-suzanne/

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorhermanns
Changes
Sources

385th BG website

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1338 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database