-
Benard Priebe shown with AT-6 during flight training.
-
The Robert B. Campbell crew, photographed on 21 April 1943, A/C Serial # 42-2990 'Dame Satan'.
Back Row - Left to Right:
T/Sgt. James La Grossa, Flight Engineer; T/Sgt. Daniel J. Butler, Radio Operator; Leonard Panora; S/Sgt. Thomas A. Parfitt, Waist Gunner; J.C. Bull.
Front Row - Left to Right:
Capt. Santura; Capt. James R. Bullock, Navigator; Major Robert B. Campbell, Pilot; T/Sgt. Oliver J. Hackwith, Ball Turret Gunner; 1st Lt. Bernard Priebe, Co-pilot.
-
Photo on right from the St. Josheph News Press article on May 10, 1943 is ist Lt, Bernard F Priebe receiving the Air Medal from Col. Stanley T. Wray, At the time of the award Lt. Priebe had participated in 13 daylight raids over Nazi Europe flying a B-17.
-
41-24254 Luftwaffe's Waterloo AKA Motsie
-
-
Captain Bernard F Priebe medals and insignia.
Assigned to 322BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. Was once co-pilot to Capt Robert B Campbell on B-17 41-24497 'Mizpath II'.
Awards: DFC, AM (2OLC), WWII Victory, American Defense and Campaign, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).
Service
People
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Aerial Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
18 November 1942 in 'Fury' B-17 #41-2499 bombs could not be released so were jettisoned in an open field. On return, 10 miles SW of Exeter, A/C collided with #41-24553 which was able to land safely; however Fury landed at RAF Turweston and was salvaged.
-
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
On 28 June 1943, on a mission to St. Nazaire, Edward Brodnax was flying B-17 #42-5724 'Thunderbird / Marnita No. 2' when it was hit by heavy, accurate flak. The aircraft went down in the English Channel and Brodnax died. There were only 2 survivors who...
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Technical Sergeant Daniel J. Butler was born October 21, 1921, the son of Floyd and Mary Butler. His hometown was Seattle, Washington.
...
-
Military | Pilot | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 22 June 1943 in B-17 #425789 'Night Shade. ' Result unknown.
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 28 June 1943 in B-17 #42-5724 'Thunderbird/ Marnita No. 2'. Plane ditched in Channel. Returned to base.
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 28 June 1943 in B-17 #42-5724 'Thunderbird / Marnita No. 2'. Plane ditched in Channel, Killed in Action (KIA).
-
Military | Staff Sergeant | Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
18 November 1942 in 'Fury' B-17 41-2499 bombs could not be released so were jettisoned in an open field. On return, 10 miles SW of Exeter, a/c collided with 41-24553 which was able to land safely; however Fury landed at RAF Turweston and was salvaged.
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 28 June 1943 in B-17 #42-5724 'Thunderbird / Marnita No. 2'. Plane ditched in Channel, Killed in Action (KIA).
-
Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 17 August 1943 in B-17 #42-5139 'Chief Sly II', Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Show more
Units served with
-
Group
The 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated at Harding Field, Louisiana on 15-April-1942 and went to MacDill Field, Florida for the first phase of training from 16-May-1942 to 25-June-1942. The Group was then assigned to 2nd Air Force at Walla...
-
Aircraft
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-O] Bangor 29/8/42; Bassingbourn 29/9/42; in taxi accident with John Hardin 18/11/42 at RNAS Yeovilton; MIZPAH - THE BEARDED LADY aka THE BEARDED BEAUTY.
...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24479 "Sad Sack" Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-R] 2-September-1942; Bassingbourn 29-September-1942; Missing in Action 23-November-1942 on mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. This was the 4th mission for this crew. Last seen with ...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-M] Bangor 2/9/42; Bassingbourn 26/9/42; Missing in Action 10+m Kiel 14/5/43 with Bill Broley, Co-pilot: Albert Davies, Navigator: Armando Ambalagi, Bombardier: Joe Darmiento, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ed Clyne, Radio...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-U] Bangor 2/9/42; Bassingbourn 29/9/42; Missing in Action Kiel 19/5/43 with Edwin Baxley, Co-pilot: Jim Breeden, Navigator: Jim Fulmer, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jarvis Hall (4 Prisoner of War); Bombardier: Arthur L...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered ? ?; with Jim Dale force landed Berry Fd, Nashville, TN 15/8/42; Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-P] Westover 16/8/42; Bassingbourn 30/9/42; Missing in Action on the aircraft's 26th mission, to Stuttgart on 6 September 1943 with Pilot William R. Cox;...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-T] Bangor 31/8/42; Bassingbourn 11/10/42; `16+m` with Joe Totusek, burned out on base, internal fire started probably by ground crew’s cigarette, 23/3/43; First aircraft sal in ground accident. (possibly LUFTWAFFE'S WATERLOO or...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-R] West Palm Beach 14/12/42; Bassingbourn 10/1/43; Missing in Action 11+m Schweinfurt 17/8/43 with Pilot Jack A. Hargis; Ball turret gunner: Starr A. Tucker (2 Killed in Action); Navigator: Carlyle H. Darling; Bombardier: Edward...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 18/2/43; Presque 28/4/43; Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-M] Bassingbourn 4/6/43; Missing in Action on the aircraft's 5th mission - Hamburg 26/7/43 with some members of Lt Jack A. Hargis' new crew. Hargis' crew was split up to fly their...
-
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 2/10/42; West Palm Beach 14/12/42; Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-V] Bassingbourn 13/3/43; Missing in Action Schweinfurt 17/8/43 with Joel Gatewood, Navigator: Dan Downy, Bombardier: Harry Hammond, Waist gunner: Tom Parfitt (4POW-all caught...
Missions
-
7 November 1942
A combined bomber force of 56 B-17s are despatched by 91BG, 301BG and 306BG to bomb the U-Boat pens at Brest, France. This is the first mission flown by 91st Bomb Group. This element is joined by 12 B-24s from 93BG. To aide the attacking bomber force,...
-
18 November 1942
The U-Boat pens at Lorient and La Pallice, France are the Primary (P) targets for this mission. However, those at St. Nazaire, France are attacked by 21 B-17s of 303BG when they are mistaken for those of Lorient. The force attacking Lorient is composed...
-
12 December 1942
This mission is composed of two elements. First element: The German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France is the Primary (P) target for a force of 78 B-17s despatched from 91BG (19), 303BG (20), 305BG (21) and 306BG (18). However, the target is...
-
30 December 1942
The U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the target for this mission. A combined force of 77 B-17s are despatched by 91BG (19); 303BG (16); 305BG (13) and 306BG (18). Only 40 are effective on the target. All but 1 B-17 from the 18 despatched by 306BG is...
-
27 January 1943
First successful attack by 8th Air Force into Germany. The 306th Bomb Group gets the distinction of being the first American Bomb Group to drop bombs on Germany. O Original target was Vegesack but clouded over. Col. Frank Armstrong lead the group. Two...
-
14 February 1943
The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are once again slated at the primary target for this mission. A force of 74 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (20); 303BG (17); 305BG (17); 306BG (20), but weather once again forces the mission to be recalled before...
-
16 February 1943
The port area and U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are designated as the primary target of this mission of 71 B-17s and 18 B-24s. B-17s are from 91BG (18); 303BG (15); 305BG (18); 306BG (20) of these 59 are effective on the target and 6 are lost....
-
27 February 1943
With weather and cloud cover continuing to frustrate bombing efforts against targets in Northern Germany, VIII Bomber Command decides to mount a raid against the harbour facilities at Brest, France. A total of 60 B-17s are destached: 91BG (18); 303BG ...
-
6 March 1943
German U-boats continue to attack convoys headed fro Great Britain in the North Atlantic with good success. Many of the U-boat packs operate from St. Nazaire, Lorient and Brest, France, so destroying harbour facilities at these locations remain a...
-
12 March 1943
The railroad marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville, France is the primary target for 72 B-17s. 91BG (18); 303BG (18) ; 305BG (17) and 306BG (19). Of this formation, 63 are effective on the target. There are no aircraft losses or claims on enemy...
Show more
Associated Place
-
Military site : airfield
Now home to a museum all about the aifield and its USAAF residents (http://www.towermuseumbassingbourn.co.uk/) , Bassingbourn opened in 1938 as part of the RAF's pre-war expansion programme. The RAF continued to use it until late in 1942 when its long...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Born |
St Joseph, Missouri |
18 February 1917 |
Son of Alfred C and Mary Elizabeth [Pfeiffer] Priebe.
|
Enlisted |
Fort Leavenworth, KS |
8 November 1941 |
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
|
Based |
Bassingbourn |
1943 – 1944 |
Assigned to 322BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF.
|
Discharged USAAF |
|
19 November 1945 |
Honourable discharge.
|
Died |
Farmington, MI |
5 June 2004 |
Buried |
St. Fabian Catholic Church, Farmington Hills, MI |
9 June 2004 |
Funeral Mass Wednesday 11 am at St. Fabian Catholic Church, Farmington Hills, Michigan
|