As the tail markings reveal, this B-17F was assigned to the 99th Bomb Group before being transferred to the 97th Bomb Group on November 14, 1943.
On February 25, 1944 the 97th’s primary target was Regensburg, but heavy cloud over the Alps forced them to divert to bomb the dock area at Pola in Yugoslavia. Visibility was poor and the flak was only moderate, but it was very accurate, and Sirocco was caught in a devastating barrage. Captain Raymond Spradley and his crew got her back to Amendola safely, but Sirocco was in bad shape.
According to the 50th Service Squadron’s report, prepared by 1st/Lt Claude C. Coffey, the following repairs were carried out: Replaced 7 control cables, 23 fuel tanks, (only No. 1 main tank remained undamaged), Nos. 3 & 4 superchargers and ducts and Nos. 1 & 2 propellers, Air Induction System to No. 1 engine, both bomb bay doors, No. 2 oil tank, 7 oxygen lines and 2 oxygen bottles, 3 vacuum lines and pump on No. 2 engine, 3 main fuel hoses, 3 air filters, right and left flaps and right flap retracting screw, right and left outer wings. Right wing had over 600 holes, with all tokyo tanks punctured. Patched 4 main spar holes, 1000 metal patches on airplane, and over 200 fabric patches. Airplane had 1775 holes in it, including outer wings. Spliced 193 electrical wires.
The repairs were completed in 33 days but it’s unknown if Sirocco went back into action. The aircraft was flown home to the United States in April 1944, and she was finally salvaged at Albuquerque in July 1945.
The photo and story came from Lou LaBrunda on behalf of his father, Mike, who flew 50 missions with the 97th Bomb Group, and was manning the ball turret of Sirocco that fateful last Friday in February 1944.
*Cross-posted at armyairforces.com