42-39950 Wampus cat
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/media/media-41643.jpeg)
Project No. appears near underside demarcation., however it isn t fully legible.
AAM Synopsis.
Object Number - UPL 41643 - B-17G-5-VE Wampus Cat crash landing on Continent. Project No. appears near underside demarcation., however it isn t fully legible.
Delivered Long Beach 16/10/43; Gr Island 8/11/43; Assigned 423BS/306 BG [RD-K] Thurleigh 18/12/43; Missing in Action Brunswick 29/3/34 with Nelson Hardin, Co-pilot: Dick Knowles, Navigator: John Huistra, Bombardier: Lee Barrows, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ernie Jackson, Radio Operator: Wendall MayWounded in Action, Ball turret gunner: Ralph Moulis, Waist gunner: Joe Dilley, Waist gunner: Lee JenksWounded in Action (9 Prisoner of War),Tail gunner: Bob Richardson (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft set fuselage alight, crash landed Polder Ronde Hoep, Ouder-Amstel, seven miles SW of Amsterdam, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 3481. WAMPUS CAT.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
![Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395055.jpg?itok=Fcx5fW4h)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![The insignia of the 423rd Bomb Squadron, 306th Bomb Group.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395059.jpg?itok=JE_Sho47)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
![Nelson Hardin Crew](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/2023-04/Hardin%20Crew.jpg?itok=12j3I_gX)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-750269
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
![Nelson Hardin Crew](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/2023-04/Hardin%20Crew.jpg?itok=12j3I_gX)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39277337
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
![Nelson Hardin Crew](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/2023-04/Hardin%20Crew.jpg?itok=12j3I_gX)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-746330
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-685122
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator, Navigator; Bombardier
![Nelson Hardin Crew](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/2023-04/Hardin%20Crew.jpg?itok=12j3I_gX)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14130076
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg?itok=zmglI2BR)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Missions
- Date: 29 March 1944
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 29 March 1944 |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3481 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database