Victor Gilbert Hand

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-49639.jpeg UPL 49639 1Lt Ehle H. Reber (P), 2Lt Jarold J. Byrom (N), 2Lt Robert J. Swindle (B), 2Lt Allan D. Mitchell (CP). This was the cover photograph on the New York Times Magazine, January 10, 1943 issue.

http://www.303rdbg.com/news/2012-02-19.html (The Molesworth Pilot; 303rd Bomb Group Newsletter)

Object Number - UPL 49639 - 1Lt Ehle H. Reber (P), 2Lt Jarold J. Byrom (N), 2Lt Robert J. Swindle (B), 2Lt Allan D. Mitchell (CP). This was the cover photograph on the New York...

1-May-42 Assigned as and Aerial Gunner of B-17 41-24619 [GN-S] "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 25-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "S-for-Sugar". Apparently he and the crew were re-assigned to B-17 41-24607 [GN-W] "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS, no explanation was found in the records of 303BG on their website.



Shot down 23-Jan-43 in B-17 41-24607 "Jerry Jinx" while serving as Right Waist Gunner. Aircraft sustained damage from flak over the target of Lorient, France and crashed into the Bay of Biscay. Killed in Action (KIA). Crew position verified from crew records of the 303rd Bomb Group website, Gary Moncur, historian.



Participated in 7 Operations (1 was aborted) See Biography events.

Connections

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

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

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

People

First Lieutenant Ehle H. Reber and Captain Lloyd R. Cole, both of the 303rd Bomb Group, relax in Reber's quarters. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 25 Jan 1943.' [stamp] and '245295.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'How the boys live and work at Flying Fortress Station in England. Wide World Photo shows: 1st Lieut. Ehle H. Reber, Malin, Oregon (left) and Captain Lloyd R. Cole, Winchester, KY. In Reber's quarters, which, as you see, he's turned into a

Ehle H Reber

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-414648
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

Ground crewmen of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Jerry Jinx". Handwritten caption on reverse: '303BG'.

41-24607

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jerry Jinx : What's Up Doc
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Lieutenant Fort W. Lipe of the 303rd Bomb Group, signals 'V for Victory' from the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-T, serial number 41-24610 ) nicknamed "Joe Btfsplk II". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Fort W. Lipe, of the Air Corps, of Irving, Illinois was with the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. He is 23 and is engaged to Miss Edith Kesinger, of 314 North-St., Normal, Illinois. His greeting is silent, optimistic and emphatic. As O.P.S. he sends it in the V sign.' On

41-24610

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Joe Btfsplk II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

Lorient, France 23 January 1493 Killed when aircraft sustained damage from flak over the target at Lorient, France and crashed into the sea. His remains have never been recovered.

Born

Mississippi 29 March 1923

Other

Assigned to Aircraft

Boise, ID, USA 1 May 1942 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner on B-17 41-24619 "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.

Other

Arrived in UK

Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK 25 October 1942 Arrived at Molesworth, UK as an Aerial Gunner aboard B-17F 41-24619 "S-for-Sugar", 303BG/427BS.

Other

Re-assigned to Aircraft

Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK 21 November 1942 Re-assigned with crew to B-17F 41-24607 "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS. Reason not found in available 303BG records.

Other

Mission #1, SGT Victor G. Hand, w/B-17F 41-24607, 303BG/427BS

22 November 1942 Served as Ball Turret Gunner of B-17F 41-24607 "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #2, SGT Victor G. Hand, w/B-17F 41-24607, 303BG/427BS

Lille, France 6 December 1942 Served as Ball Turret Gunner of B-17F 41-24607 "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS on a mission to bomb the carriage and wagon works at Lille, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #3, SGT Victor G. Hand, w/B-17F 41-24607, 303BG/427BS

Rouen, France 12 December 1942 Served as Tail Gunner of B-17F 41-24607 "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK

Other

Mission #4, SGT Victor G. Hand, w/B-17F 41-24607, 303BG/427BS - Aborted

Romilly-sur-Seine, France 20 December 1942 Served as Right Waist Gunner of B-17F 41-24607 "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS on a mission to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France, but mechanical failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #5, SGT Victor G. Hand, w/B-17F 41-24610, 303BG/427BS

Lorient, France 30 December 1942 Served as Left Waist Gunner of B-17F 41-24610 "JoeBTFSPLK, 303BG/427BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #6, SGT Victor G. Hand, w/B-17F 41-24607, 303BG/427BS

Lille, France 13 January 1943 Served as Ball Turret Gunner of B-17F 41-24607 "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS on a mission to bomb the Lille Fives Locomotive Works at Lille, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #7, SGT Victor G. Hand, w/B-17F 41-24607, 303BG/427BS - KIA

23 January 1943 Served as Right Waist Gunner of B-17F 41-24607 "Jerry JinX", 303BG/427BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. Aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft and crashed into the Bay of Biscay, France and he was killed. KIA

Died

Bay of Biscay 23 January 1943

Other

Commemorated

Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Madingley Road, Coton, Cambridgeshire CB23 7PH, UK Commemorated on the Wall of the Missing Cambridge American Cemetery

Buried

Memorialised

Biloxi City Cemetery Biloxi, Harrison County, MS Biloxi City Cemetery Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/310953068
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28879069/victor-gilbert-hand
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56290412/victor-g-hand

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" for clarity.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 23-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/011.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Mission #6 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 13-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/010.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Mission #5 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 30-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/008.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Mission #4 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 20-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/007.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Mission #3 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 12-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Mission #2 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 6-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/005.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Mission #1 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 22-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/003.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Re- Assigned to Aircraft event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Ehle H. Reber crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-427-reber.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Arrival in UK event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Ehle H. Reber crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-427-reber.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added Assigned to Aircraft event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Ehle H. Reber crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-427-reber.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Feb-2016. Added initial assignment, arrival in UK event, and Operations participation to Summary Biography; made connections to all Aircraft and Missions per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Ehle H. Reber crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-427-reber.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jan-2015. Added SN and KIA event per MACR 15473; Added Role per 303rd Bomb Group website, Gary Moncur, historian; Added decorations and Commemorated event per American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) record; made connections to Place, Aircraft and Mission within existing website data; Edited Biography per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 15473 / MACR 15473, Roster / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Victor Gilbert Hand: Gallery (5 items)

Object number: UPL 49639 - 1Lt Ehle H. Reber (P), 2Lt Jarold J. Byrom (N)...

Object number: UPL 49646 - "Mr. Hayes and Mr. Phillips, representing the New...

Object number: UPL 49660 - Crash of Jerry Jinx ( 41-24607) (B-17F)

Object number: UPL 52085 - "A whole Fortress crew, of the Air force, bomber...

Object number: UPL 52087 - 1Lt Ehle H. Reber and crew cram onto transport...