George F Bennett

Military

George Bennett was Radio Operator/Gunner on board B-17 #42-39782 on the 8 February mission to Frankfurt, Germany.

Shot down by fighters and crashed near Roye, France. Evaded capture with the help of French citizens and members of the Résistance. After landing near Noyon, France, he travelled to the South of France and crossed into Spain, reaching Gibraltar. Flown back from there, he was back in England on 15 May 1945. Escape & Evasion Report E&E 650.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15084516
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • 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
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31084894
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-681986
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13145816
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

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].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pistol Packin Mama
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

3 June 1924

Other

Bailed out

8 February 1944 of B-17 #42-39782, over France

Other

Evaded capture

8 February 1944 - 15 May 1944 with the help of French citizens and members of the Résistance. Back in England on 15 May 1944

Died

1 July 1999 Marble Falls, Texas
Wheeling, West Virginia

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

SSDI (Social Security Death Index)

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 2880
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 650

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2880, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces; Air Forces Escape & Evasion