| Serial Number: | 42-3459 |
| Name: | JOLLY ROGER |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, B-17F-65-DL, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 546th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 546th‑BK*F |
| Ground Crew Chiefs: |
Jacobs, Gilbert Oren Coon, Lawrence John |
| Start Date: | 9 August 1943. New Replacement AC. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 7 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 23 September 1943. Failed to return from combat operations. |
| Related Documents: | Missing Air Crew Report # 748⇓ (24.645 MB) |
| Photo Album: | No Photo Album For This Aircraft |
| History: | 42-3459 Delivered to Cheyenne, Wyoming [for modification] on 26 June 1943. Moved to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine on 29 July 1943. Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code BK-F, 384th Bombardment Group, Grafton Underwood, Station 106, UK on 9 August 1943. Missing In action on a mission to Nantes, France on 23 September 1943 with Pilot Phillip E. Higdon, Copilot Louis E. Ritt, Navigator Meyer Begab, Bombardier Lawrence E. Johnston, Engineer/Top Turret James L. Jett, Waist Gunner Willard J. Cronin, Tail Gunner Edward J. Humphrey (7POW); Radio Operator Ardell H. Bollinger, Ball Turret Gunner Joseph M. Kalas, Waist Gunner Leonard J. Kelly; 3 evaded (3 EVD). The aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft which knocked out #3 and #4 engines. The ship crashed at Plouguenast, 18 miles south of St Brieux, France. Missing Air Crew report (MACR) 748. Aircraft Name: JOLLY ROGER |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15⇗ | 15 August 1943 | Target: Poix-en-Picardie and Amiens-Glisy Airfields Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Poix-de-Picardie & Amiens, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 16⇗ | 16 August 1943 | Target: Le Bourget Airport & Air Depot Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 24 August 1943 | Diversion (Non-Combat) | Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused | |
| -- | 2 September 1943 | Vannes, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 20⇗ | 3 September 1943 | Target: Air Park and Aerodrome Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 21⇗ | 6 September 1943 | Type: Industry Location: Stuttgart, Germany | Completed Mission | Landed at Grafton Underwood. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 22⇗ | 7 September 1943 | Target: Bruxelles-Evere Airfield/Repair Depot Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Brussels / Bruxelles, Belgium | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 23⇗ | 9 September 1943 | Target: Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Lille-Vendeville, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 24⇗ | 16 September 1943 | Target: Blockade Runner Ship (in Loire River) Type: Transportation Location: Nantes, France | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Turned back; unable to locate formation after passing through cloud layer. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 21 September 1943 | Riems, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Ritt (CP) Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 25⇗ | 23 September 1943 | Target: Submarine Repair Ship Type: Submarine Facility Location: Nantes, France | Failed To Return | Shot down by enemy aircraft shortly after crossing the coast of France, crashed near Pontivy, France; MACR 748. Co-pilot Ritt was pilot of a newly assigned crew, flying his first orientation mission. Sortie Report ⇗ |