43-37959 Flak Plow

Delivered Cheyenne 9/6/44; Kearney 20/6/44; Dow Fd 7/7/44; Assigned 834BS/486BG [2S-K] Sudbury 8/7/44; `77m` battle damaged Koblenz 19/9/44 with Jim Shaw, Co-pilot: John Slaton; Navigator: Edwin Hoffner, Bombardier: Jim Martin, ettg-George Ross, Radio Operator: Phil Macchek, Ball turret gunner: Fred Kraft, Waist gunner: Ken Chapman, Tail gunner: Leo O’Brien, (9 Returned to Duty); force landed Vantegem, near Kwatrecht, SE of Gent, Belgium; the first squadron loss; Salvaged 14/11/44. FLAK PLOW.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

A diagrammatic layout of AAF Station 174 - the USAAF codename for Sudbury airfield - while the 486th Bomb Group were stationed at the airbase as of the 22 June 1944.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 832nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 773315
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
The insignia of the 832nd Bomb Squadron, 486th Bomb Group.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 832nd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 832nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38477894
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 832nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Aerial photograph of Sudbury airfield looking south west, the bomb dump is to the upper right of the airfield, 29 February 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC188. English Heritage (USAAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Acton

Missions

A B-24 Liberator of the 492nd Bomb Group bombs a target near Hamburg. 

Handwritten caption on reverse: 'USAF- 492nd BG showing successful result on oil target near Hamburg, 6 Aug 1944.'
  • Date: 6 August 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words “Tail gunner” in the A/C “Description” section.

Added the Production block number and Manufacturer per info on the internet. 

SOURCEhttps://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-75-bo-43-37874-43-38073/page/5/

 

Date
Contributorhansvonmaltzahn
Changes
Sources

See Flight Captain Whitney's Crew & Mission sheet at the official 486th Bomb. Group web page at this address:
https://486th.org/BS832/Whitney.htm

Date
Contributorhansvonmaltzahn
Changes
Sources

See Flight Captain Whitney's Crew & Mission sheet at the official 486th Bomb. Group web page at this address:
https://486th.org/BS832/Whitney.htm

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log