42-3397 Fighting Cock

Two B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group fly over the Alps during a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282477.' [Censor no.] Handwritten caption on reverse: '42-3397 'Fightin' Cock; over Alps. Liferaft door open, battle damage.' media-380160.jpg FRE 1406 Two B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group fly over the Alps during a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282477.' [Censor no.] Handwritten caption on reverse: '42-3397 'Fightin' Cock; over Alps. Liferaft door open, battle damage.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1406 - Two B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group fly over the Alps during a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 6 Sep 1943.'...

Delivered Denver 5/6/43; Dow Fd 14/7/43; Assigned 551BS/385BG [HR-H] Gt Ashfield 15/7/43; Missing in Action Bordeaux 5/12/43 with Theo Kleuser, Co-pilot: John Slater, Navigator: Fred Albert, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ernie Hibbard, Ball turret gunner: Stan Wysokinski, Waist gunner: Leo De Graw, Waist gunner: Jim O’Keefe (7KIA - when in dinghy were machine-gunned by German shore patrol); Bombardier: Tom Betow, Radio Operator: Walt Olowniuk, Tail gunner: Stewart Day (3 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, ditched Bay of Biscay; Missing Air Crew Report 2164 and Missing Air Crew Report 1337. FIGHTING COCK.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

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
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
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
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36203585 / O-8738687
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
W L Swope
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31143395
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Leo DeGraw
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32462686
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Bordeaux, France 5 December 1943

Crashed

Bay of Biscay 5 December 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorBianca Barbato
Changes
Sources

Rickwald was not on the Fighting Cock when it went down.

Date
Contributorhermanns
Changes
Sources

385th BG website

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2164 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-3397: Gallery (2 items)