UPL 39759

IMAGE

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This photo shows the crew with their B-17E Hangar Queen (41-9021) prior to August 17, 1942. This crew and plane were assigned to the 414th BS (97th BG) stationed at Grafton-Underwood Field (RAF Station #106). The plane and crew shown in this photo participated in the first All-American Flying Fortress bombing mission over German occupied territory (Sotteville Railroad Marshalling Yards at Rouen, France) on August 17, 1942 (Mission #1): Pilot - Lt. Claire M. Smartt (standing far right); Copilot - Lt. Godfrey Engil; Navigator - Lt. Harry C. Nuessle; Bombardier - Lt. Ralph Burbridge; Engineer/TTG - Sgt. Ermando P. Roviaro; Radio Operator/WG - Sgt. Allen O. Williams; Waist Gunner - Sgt. Robert J. Nichols; Ball Turret Gunner - Sgt. James M. Abbott; Tail Gunner - Sgt. Henry Wojciechowski. After the 92nd Bomb Group completed its training at Sarasota Bradenton Field in Florida in late June 1942, it was ordered to VIII Bomber Command and the RAF Field at Bovingdon in Hertfordshire, England and began arriving on August 18, 1942 with the newly modeled B 17F Flying Fortresses. On August 24, 1942, the 97th BG exchanged most of their B 17E aircraft for the newly arrived B 17F aircraft delivered by the 92nd BG. The 414th BS exchanged their B-17E Hangar Queen (41-9021) for the B-17F 41-24400, which its Pilot 1st Lt. Claire M. Smartt named "Little Bill". The 92nd BG conducted theater orientation training with the B-17E's exchanged with the 97th BG for the formers F series. The B-17E Hanger Queen (41-9021) was assigned to the 327th BS, 92nd BG. For additional information, search for "Untold Stories of Colonel Rudy Flack" on Facebook. Once you download and save the latest version of the "main" book to your PC, you will find related details in Chapter 7 and Chapter 8.

Connections

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Units

Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

This photo shows the crew with their B-17E Hangar Queen (41-9021) prior to August 17, 1942.  This crew and plane were initially assigned to the 414th BS (97th BG).
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
This photo shows the crew with their B-17E Hangar Queen (41-9021) prior to August 17, 1942.  This crew and plane were initially assigned to the 414th BS (97th BG).
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

This photo shows the crew with their B-17E Hangar Queen (41-9021) prior to August 17, 1942.  This crew and plane were initially assigned to the 414th BS (97th BG).
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Big Bitch/ Hangar Queen
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 414th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date:
ContributorRickFlack
Changes
Sources

Updated by Rick Flack on December 11, 2022.

Date:
ContributorRickFlack
Changes
Sources

Updated by Rick Flack on December 11, 2022.

Date:
Contributorphil marchese
ChangesChanges to caption
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AAM ingest of Osborne FORTLOG at 41-9021; 327th BS, 92nd BG .

Date:
ContributorRickFlack
ChangesCreated entry with collection and caption
Sources

Refer to the following Facebook link to view the latest posting of my freely available all-in-one book titled "The Amazing Story of Another Real American Hero - Colonel Rudy Flack" for complete details and verification:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180…