I have the daily reports for 97th BG / 340th BS, November 1943. -- aircraft 4396 reported down at Corsica
Problem is, 41-24396 is not supposed to have been carried by the 97th BG, several crew bailed out, yet no MACR Generated. Only last four B-17 with this combination is 41-24396
For Steve Birdsall - 41-24396
For Steve Birdsall - 41-24396
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Steve Birdsall
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Re: For Steve Birdsall - 41-24396
That B-17 really got around. First assigned to the 301st Bomb Group in September 1942 where it carried “Eight Ball” artwork on the nose until it was renamed The Reluctant Gremlin (unclear exactly when that happened).
It was transferred to the 97th Bomb Group but I don’t know when or why. The 97th reported aggressive fighter attacks on that Bolzano mission – no losses, but seven B-17s with minor damage and one major damage – 41-24396?
Transferred again, this time to the 99th Bomb Group, and flew missions between November 18, 1943 and January 24, 1944. Returned to the U.S. at the end of April 1944, piloted by Major Peter J. O’Carroll, who had flown it back in November 1942, so presumably it had been returned to the 301st Bomb Group.
The Reluctant Gremlin participated in the Fifth War Loan Drive and was ultimately salvaged at Searcy Field.
It was transferred to the 97th Bomb Group but I don’t know when or why. The 97th reported aggressive fighter attacks on that Bolzano mission – no losses, but seven B-17s with minor damage and one major damage – 41-24396?
Transferred again, this time to the 99th Bomb Group, and flew missions between November 18, 1943 and January 24, 1944. Returned to the U.S. at the end of April 1944, piloted by Major Peter J. O’Carroll, who had flown it back in November 1942, so presumably it had been returned to the 301st Bomb Group.
The Reluctant Gremlin participated in the Fifth War Loan Drive and was ultimately salvaged at Searcy Field.
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