42-5053 Bloody tangier show
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4306 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-L, serial number 42-5053) of the 366th Bomb Squadron , with a camouflage paint scheme. Handwritten caption on reverse:...
Delivered Cheyenne 9/9/42; Presque Is 28/10/42; Assigned 366BS/305BG [KY-L] Chelveston 14/11/42; Missing in Action 4/7/43 with Bill Wetzel, Navigator: Ralph McKee (2 evaded capture); Radio Operator: Earl Sell, Waist gunner: Bernie McNight (2 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Chas Cockrell, Bombardier: Chas Allen, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Doya Garrett, Ball turret gunner: Pete Hnatuick, wgh-Bill Hulett, Tail gunner: Bill Mooney (6 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed St Colunbin, 16 miles S of Nantes, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 14439. (Used in film '1000 Plane Raid'.) BLOODY TANGIER SHOW.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734774
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-000086
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
![A bomber crew of the 384th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Rigor Mortis". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 12 Jun 1943.' [stamp] and '269268.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"RIGOR MORTIS" CARRIES LIVE BOMBS AFTER RAID. Associated Press Photo shows: The full crew of the "Rigor Mortis" at their base after their return from Wilhelmhaven Friday, June 11. Front row, left to right: Sgt. William Mooney, Chicago; Sgt. Bernard M Knight](/s3fs_to_s3/files/styles/cropped_medium_440x440/public/freeman/media-380086-393851-crop.jpg?itok=5hJN1btV)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17032523
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 4 July 1943 |
Revisions
Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 14439 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
![A 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-L, serial number 42-5053) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses station where hige[sic] bombers take off for the raids](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-458168.jpg.webp?itok=dv_egDU_)
