44-6093 USA The Hard Way

A bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group led by Lieutenant John J Askins, with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Qualified Quail". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Crew of "Qualified Quail", Triangle-A, LL-K, Back Row: L to R; Antony Delaporto, Navigator; John J. Askins, Pilot; Randal Archer, Co-Pilot; Paul Collier, Bombardier. Front Row: Roger Armstron[g], Radio; Rob[er]t Webb, Ball Gunner; Hilmer Beicker, Engineer; Ralph Azevedo, Armorer/Gunner; Roy Loyless, Tail Gunner.

Object Number - FRE 3601 - A bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group led by Lieutenant John J Askins, with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Qualified Quail". Handwritten...

Delivered Tulsa 29/4/44; Hunter 5/5/44; Grenier 19/5/44; Assigned 401BS/91BG [LL-J] Bassingbourn 27/5/44; 47m Missing in Action Merseburg 2/11/44 with Pilot: John Askins, Navigator: Tony Della Porta, Bombardier: Paul Collier, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Hilmer Beicker, Radio Operator: Roger Armstrong, Ball turret gunner: Bob Webb, Waist gunner: Harry Sackman,Tail gunner: Roy Loyless (8 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Randall Archer (KIA-by sniper on ground); 88m shell hit cockpit and set on fire enemy aircraft, crashed Clappenburg, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 10141. U.S.A. - THE HARD WAY.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.

91st Bomb Group

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

People

Randall H Archer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-767031
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Roger Armstrong a, radio operator of the 91st Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97851) nicknamed "Qualified Quail". A veteran has Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Roger Armstrong (Sioux Falls, S. Dak.), Radio Operator on "Qualified Quail." Shot down from 13th Air Base stationed at, on 13th mission, flew 1st mission on 13th Sept. 1944 and group lost 13 planes (including the spare plane we were flying) Nov. 2. 1944. (Meseberg). Lucky day, as plane that moved into the #3 position, on

Roger W Armstrong

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17131144
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

John J Askins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-761845
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Hilmer Beicker of the 91st Bomb Group in the top turret of a B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed "Qualified Quail". Printed caption on reverse of photo: 'Hilmer Beicker, Engineer on John Askin's crew. Note flak th[r]ough casting under left gun. Also patch ple[x]i-glass behind his head.'

Hilmer Walter Beicker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38538861
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Paul W Collier

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 2 November 1944

Revisions

Date19 Dec 2020 01:05:16
Contributorpdaskins
ChangesChanges to markings
Sources

Added info on nose art from Roger Armstrong book "USA The Hard Way".

Date19 Dec 2020 00:48:27
Contributorpdaskins
ChangesChanges to media associations
Sources

No photo is known to exist of 44-6093, therefore used photo of crew that flew this aircraft on its last mission on November 2nd 1944.

Date19 Dec 2020 00:29:50
Contributorpdaskins
ChangesChanges to nicknames and description
Sources

Added Nickname to Basic Details section

Date30 Sep 2014 09:36:51
ContributorPhillWray
ChangesChanges to person associations
Sources

Associated with information from AAM caption

Date27 Sep 2014 18:41:48
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 10141 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

44-6093: Gallery (2 items)

A bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group led by Lieutenant John J Askins, with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Qualified Quail". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Crew of "Qualified Quail", Triangle-A, LL-K, Back Row: L to R; Antony Delaporto, Navigator; John J. Askins, Pilot; Randal Archer, Co-Pilot; Paul Collier, Bombardier. Front Row: Roger Armstron[g], Radio; Rob[er]t Webb, Ball Gunner; Hilmer Beicker, Engineer; Ralph Azevedo, Armorer/Gunner; Roy Loyless, Tail Gunner.

Object number: FRE 3601 - A bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group led by...

Object number: UPL 13483 - Robert N. "Spider" Webb Jr Handwritten caption on...