42-39782 Pistol Packin Mama

Airmen of the 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group unload their gear after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (LF-M, serial number 42-39782). Handwritten caption on reverse: '264849. 19.' Press caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Associated Press, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau[Stamps]. media-413427.jpg FRE 4743 Sergeants Leonard Walter, Ernest Davis, Arthur Murrey, Joe Martin and Eugene House of the 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group put on their flight equipment before a mission to France in their B-17 Flying Fortress (LF-M, serial number 42-39782) nicknamed of "Pistol Packin' Mama".

Handwritten caption on reverse: '264849. 19.' Press caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Associated Press, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau[Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Diary, page 16

Object Number - FRE 4743 - Sergeants Leonard Walter, Ernest Davis, Arthur Murrey, Joe Martin and Eugene House of the 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group put on their flight...

Delivered Long Beach 29/8/43; Scott 19/9/43; Assigned 527BS/379BG [FO-M] Kimbolton 21/10/43, then 526BS [LF-M]. Missing in Action Frankfurt 8 February 1944 with Herbert D. Rossberg, Bombardier: James B. Dougherty, Left Waist gunner: Albert F. Paplaskas (3 Killed in Action). Co-pilot: Matthew J. Bauer, Ball Turret gunner: Edward P. Dugan (Wounded in Action-POW), Right Waist gunner: Thurman P. Smotherman, Tail gunner: Frederick H. Brown Jr (4 Prisoners of War). Navigator: John A. Kupsick, Flight Engineer/Top Turret gunner: Charles E. Atkinson, Radio Operator: George F. Bennett (3 evaded capture). Enemy aircraft, crashed near Amy Airfield, four miles SW of Roye (Somme Department), France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 2880.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.

379th Bomb Group

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

People

Charles E Atkinson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15084516
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer

Matthew J Bauer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12011093 at enlistment, then O-688731
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

George F Bennett

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15339963
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Frederick Henry Brown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31084894
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

James B Dougherty

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-681986
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

France 8 February 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 2890

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205364804

Date
ContributorRayWells
Changes
Sources

Correction of navigators name

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2880 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-39782: Gallery (3 items)

A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group at a crew interrogation after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39782) nicknamed "Pistol Packin' Mama". Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 1 jan 1944.' [stamp] and '298285.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo shows: The crew of "Pistol Packin' Mama" being interrogated by Intelligence Officer Lt T Stephanos, of Nashua, New Hampshire. And. January 1st 1944. PN.'

Object number: FRE 1387 - A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group at a crew...

Airmen of the 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group unload their gear after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (LF-M, serial number 42-39782). Handwritten caption on reverse: '264849. 19.' Press caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Associated Press, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau[Stamps].

Object number: FRE 4743 - Sergeants Leonard Walter, Ernest Davis, Arthur...

A B-17 Flying Fortress (LF-M, serial number 42-39782) nicknamed "Pistol Packin' Mama" of the 379th Bomb Group, 6 February 1944. Passed for publication 6 Feb 1944. Printed caption on reverse: '"Pistol Packin' Mama." Associated Press Photo Shows:- "Pistol Packin' Mama" on the starting line, takes off on her mission. IRV 264554. 6-2-44-EM.' Censor no: 303598. On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

Object number: FRE 4765 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (LF-M, serial number 42...