| Serial Number: | 42-30048 |
| Name: | FLAK DANCER |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Boeing Airplane Company, B-17F-85-BO, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 544th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 544th‑SU*K |
| Start Date: | 1 April 1943. Original AC. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 1 combat mission with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 26 June 1943. Failed to return from combat operations. |
| Related Documents: | Post Loss Document File #3⇓ (0.759 MB) |
| Photo Album: | Aircraft 42-30048 Photo Album⇗ |
| History: | 42-30048 Delivered to Cheyenne, Wyoming for modification on 3 April 1943; Sioux City, Iowa on 14 April 1943; Kearney, Nebraska on 3 May 1943; Dow Field, Maine on 24 May 1943. Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code SU-K, 384th bombardment Group, station 106, Grafton Underwood, UK on 12 June 1943. The aircraft failed to return from a mission to Villacoublay, France on 26 June 1943 with pilot-Delton G. Wheat, co-pilot-Donald G. McMullen, navigator-Robert J. Brown Jr., bombardier-Thomas L. Ketcham, radio operator-Theodore William Finck, ball turret gunner-John J. Katuzney, waist gunner-Warren L. Pursch, waist gunner-Ralph Charles Wood, tail gunner-Dero Hurst (9 Prisoner of War). Engineer/top turret gunner-George A. Bossinger evaded capture. The aircraft crash landed at Laon, France. The aircraft was restored to flying condition and used by the Luftwaffe (KG200). No Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) has been located for this crew. Escape and Evasion Report #174. Aircraft name: Flak Dancer |
| Bits & Pieces: |
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| Research Notes: | 2021-02-14 rfp: SqCode taken from Formation Chart (even though this mission pre-dated the standardization of squadron codes. |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -- | 23 June 1943 | Bernay-Saint-Martin, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 2⇗ | 25 June 1943 | Target: Industrial Area & Submarine Pens Type: Military Location: Hamburg, Germany | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Turned back because of a faulty oil regulator. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 3⇗ | 26 June 1943 | Target: Villacoublay Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Failed To Return | Attacked by enemy aircraft; crashed near Laon, France. No MACR. This aircraft was repaired and flown by the Luftwaffe. Sortie Report ⇗ |