Julius Otto Blake Jr

Military

Julius Blake enlisted in the Air Corps in April 1942 and followed heavy bomber pilot training. Sent overseas, he was assigned to the 94th Bomb Group / 332nd Bomb Squadron in England. He was Pilot of B-17G #42-31150 when it lost an engine on a mission to Diepholz, Germany on 21 February 1944. The Fortress fell out of formation and lost another engine on return to the UK where it crash-landed at the Debach airfield which was still under construction. (10 Returned to Duty). Blake was piloting B-17G #42-39801 'Northern Queen' on the 4 March 1944 mission (his seventh one) to Berlin. Hit by flak, with one engine out, the crew baled out and the a/c crashed near Zevekote, North of Diksmuide, Belgium. Blake landed near Beselare in Northern Belgium and was helped by Belgian patriots in evading capture. He was hidden in various places in Belgium he ended up in the Liege region. Liberated by US troops 9 September 1944 in Petite Enneille, near Somme-Leuze, about 15 km NW of Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium. He was back in England on 11 September 1944. Escape & Evasion report E&E 1973 available on-line at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5556603

Connections

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

Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32567253 and O-688624
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19141008
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wonga Wonga
Ground personnel of the 94th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39801) nicknamed "Northern Queen".
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Double Trouble II, Northern Queen
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Alabama, United States 3 March 1916 the son of Julius Otto and Esther (McGowin) Blake

Enlisted

Lakeland, Florida, United States 3 April 1942

Other

(Other) Bailed out

4 March 1944 at 6700 meters, the last one out of B-17 # 42-39801

Other

Landed in parachute

near Beselare, Belgium 4 March 1944

Other

Evaded capture

4 March 1944 - 9 September 1944 Helped by Belgian patriots, was hidden in various safe places in Belgium

Other

Liberated

Petite Enneille 9 September 1944 Liberated by Belgian troops while being sheltered
Avon Park, Florida, United States

Died

Buried

Myrtle Hill Memorial Cemetery, Tampa, Florida, United States

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

SOURCES :
MACR 2978
NARA WWII Enlistment records
Escape & Evasion report E&E 1973

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2978 / MACR 2978, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database