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B-17G 42-97320

Aircraft Details

Serial Number: 42-97320
Name: HOT ROCK
Manufacturer: Built by the Boeing Airplane Company, B-17G-45-BO, Natural Metal Finish
Squadron: 544th Bombardment Squadron (H)
Squadron ID Code: 544th‑SU*G
Start Date: 7 April 1944. New Replacement AC.
Missions: This aircraft was credited with 77 combat missions with the 384th.
End Date: 10 January 1945. Salvaged: Force-landed in Belgium returning from combat mission.
Photo Album: Aircraft 42-97320 Photo Album
(more...)

B-17G Aircraft 42-97320 Was Assigned To 101 Missions Manned by 384th BG Personnel,
Earning Combat Credit For 77 Of Them
Number Date Target Results Mission/Sortie Information
8811 April 1944Target: FW Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Sorau, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
--12 April 1944Schweinfurt, Germany, RECALLEDMission Recalled Sortie Report
9018 April 1944Target: Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany
Spare, Completed MissionFlying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report
9119 April 1944Target: Fieseler Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel (Waldau), Germany
Scrubbed: Did Not Take OffReplaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑32106.
Sortie Report
9220 April 1944Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France
Completed MissionA Wing, High Group. Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑97273. Took off late (1622 vs 1525 hrs) but caught formation.
Sortie Report
--21 April 1944Leuna, Germany, RECALLEDMission Recalled Sortie Report
9322 April 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany
Completed MissionLanded away at RAF Manston, Kent, on return due to battle damage.
Sortie Report
11728 May 1944Target: Junkers Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
11929 May 1944Target: Focke-Wulf Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Krzesiny District, Poznań, Poland
Completed MissionLead Group, Low Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
12030 May 1944Target: Aircraft Hangars and Repair Sheds
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
12131 May 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Colmar, France
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Turned back at 0951 hrs because #1 and #3 engine oil temperatures read 90-100 degrees and #3 oil pressure was 45 lbs at altitude.
Sortie Report
1232 June 1944Target: Four Medium Howitzer Batteries, Tactical Support
Type: Military
Location: Neufchatel (5 miles SE of Hardelot), France
Completed Mission Sortie Report
1254 June 1944Target: Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: Hardelot (Boulogne area), France
Completed Mission Sortie Report
1265 June 1944Target: Field Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: La Fosse, France
Completed MissionLead Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report
1286 June 1944Target: Two Bridges
Type: Transportation
Location: Caen, France
Completed MissionI Squadron.
Sortie Report
1307 June 1944Target: Transportation Hub
Type: Military
Location: Condé-sur-Noireau, France
Completed MissionLow Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report
1318 June 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (41C) & Loire River Railroad Bridge (41D)
Type: Transportation
Location: Orleans, France
Completed Mission41C Wing, High Group, Low Squadron Lead. Loading list states 'No Ball Turret.'
Sortie Report
13210 June 1944Target: Chateau Bougon Airfield (41A) & Vannes Airfield (41B)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nantes & Vannes, France
Completed Mission41B Group, Low Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
13312 June 1944Target: Railroad Bridge 48°29'N,2°0'W
Type: Transportation
Location: La Vicomté-sur-Rance, France
Spare, Completed MissionFlying Spare Aircraft. Joined formation.
Sortie Report
13413 June 1944Target: Dreux Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux, France
Completed Mission Sortie Report
13615 June 1944Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: La Possonnièrre, France
Completed MissionHigh Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report
13716 June 1944Target: Athies Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Laon, France
Completed Mission Sortie Report
13818 June 1944Target: Ölwerke Julius Humbles
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Completed Mission41B Group.
Sortie Report
13919 June 1944Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France
Completed Mission41A Group.
Sortie Report
14524 June 1944Target: German Vacuum Oil Company
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Oslebshausen (Bremen area), Germany
Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed Sortie Report
14625 June 1944Target: Railroad Bridge & Embankment
Type: Transportation
Location: Sens, France
Completed Mission Sortie Report
14828 June 1944Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Juvincourt (Juvincourt-et-Damary), France
Completed MissionHigh Squadron deputy, high group, 41st B wing. Landed away at Boxted, AAF Station 150, on return due to weather.
Sortie Report
14930 June 1944Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Montdidier, France
Spare, Completed MissionLow group flying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report
1504 July 1944Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux (Conches-en-Ouche), France
Completed Mission Sortie Report
1516 July 1944Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Coubronne, France
Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused 
1526 July 1944Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Blanc Pignon Ferme, Cléty, France
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Turned back with a feathered prop.
Sortie Report
15511 July 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Turned back with a sick crew member.
Sortie Report
15612 July 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Lead group. Turned back due to #3 prop becoming uncontrollable.
Sortie Report
15713 July 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Completed Mission41A Group.
Sortie Report
15816 July 1944Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Completed MissionLanded away at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, due to low fuel.
Sortie Report
16018 July 1944Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde & Zinnowitz, Germany
Completed Mission41A Group, Low Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
16119 July 1944Target: Hydrogen Peroxide Plant
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Höllriegelskreuth District, Pullach, Germany
Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused 
16220 July 1944Target: Aircraft Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
16321 July 1944Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
Completed MissionHigh section lead, lead group.
Sortie Report
16424 July 1944Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: La Chapelle en Juger & Hébécrevon, France
Completed MissionLead group.
Sortie Report
16525 July 1944Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Montreuil-sur-Lozon, Le Châtel,
& La Chapelle en Juger, France
Completed MissionHigh Group.
Sortie Report
16628 July 1944Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Completed MissionHigh section lead, lead group.
Sortie Report
1691 August 1944Target: Railroad Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Chartres, France
Completed MissionHigh Group. Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 44‑6141.
Sortie Report
1703 August 1944Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France
Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused 
1714 August 1944Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde, Germany
Flying Spare, Returned As BriefedLow Group.
Sortie Report
1735 August 1944Target: Luftwaffe Controlling Station
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Langenhagen, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
1769 August 1944Target: Erding Airdrome & Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Erding, Germany
Completed MissionLow group.
Sortie Report
17711 August 1944Target: Tactical: Coastal Artillery Emplacements
Type: Military
Location: Brest, France
Completed MissionHigh section deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report
17812 August 1944Target: "Landing Ground"
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: La Perthe, France
Completed MissionLead group hot camera ship. 'Landed at coast for fuel' and arrived at base two hours late.
Sortie Report
17913 August 1944Target: Tactical: Road Network
Type: Transportation
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger (area), France
Completed MissionHigh group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
18014 August 1944Target: Echterdingen Airdrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Low group. Turned back with a broken exhaust stack in #3 engine.
Sortie Report
18116 August 1944Target: Delitzsch Air Field and Air Equipment Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Delitzsch, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
18218 August 1944Target: Tactical: Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Vise, Belgium
Completed MissionLead group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
18324 August 1944Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Completed MissionHigh group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
--1 September 1944Ludwigshaven, Germany, RECALLEDMission Recalled Sortie Report
1873 September 1944Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
1885 September 1944Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Flying Spare, Returned As BriefedLow group
Sortie Report
1898 September 1944Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
1909 September 1944Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
19110 September 1944Target: BMW Motor Component Parts Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Sindelfingen, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
19517 September 1944Target: Tank and Gun Concentrations, Tactical
Type: Military
Location: Eindhoven & 's‑Hertogenbosch (den Bosch), The Netherlands
Completed MissionB Squadron.
Sortie Report
19619 September 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany
Completed MissionLead Squadron.
Sortie Report
19825 September 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.C Wing, lead group. Aborted over base during assembly due to personnel illness.
Sortie Report
20128 September 1944Target: Steelworks
Type: Industry
Location: Magdeburg, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
20230 September 1944Target: Handorf Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Münster, Germany
Completed MissionLead group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
2032 October 1944Target: Ford Motor Works
Type: Industry
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Turned back with a runaway prop on #2 engine.
Sortie Report
2043 October 1944Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
2055 October 1944Type: Industry
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Turned back, reason unknown.
Sortie Report
2089 October 1944Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
20911 October 1944Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany
Completed MissionThird Squadron.
Sortie Report
21217 October 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off. Sortie Report
21419 October 1944Target: Heinrich Lanz Tank Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Mannheim, Germany
Completed MissionLead Squadron.
Sortie Report
21525 October 1944Target: Nordstern Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Completed MissionFourth Squadron.
Sortie Report
2171 November 1944Target: Nordstern Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
2182 November 1944Target: Ruhr-Chemie A.G. Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Sterkrade (Holten), Germany
Spare, Completed MissionHigh Squadron flying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report
2194 November 1944Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bottrop (Welheim), Germany
Spare, Completed MissionLead Squadron flying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report
2228 November 1944Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant (visual aim point)
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
22616 November 1944Target: Tactical - Artillery Positions
Type: Military
Location: Eschweiler, Germany
Completed MissionLanded away at Stratford, due to weather.
Sortie Report
22823 November 1944Target: Nordstern Coking Plant at Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks-A.G.
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Completed MissionHot camera ship.
Sortie Report
22925 November 1944Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf, Germany
Completed MissionHot camera ship; landed away at White Waltham, due to weather.
Sortie Report
23127 November 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Offenburg, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
23229 November 1944Target: Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Misburg, Germany
Completed MissionHot camera ship.
Sortie Report
23330 November 1944Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Zeitz, Germany
Flying Spare, Returned As BriefedLow Squadron
Sortie Report
2342 December 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Oberlahnstein, Germany
Completed MissionHigh Squadron.
Sortie Report
2354 December 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Soest, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
2366 December 1944Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Completed MissionLow Squadron hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
2379 December 1944Target: Airfield and Daimler Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Böblingen (Stuttgart area), Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
24018 December 1944Target: Road Junction
Type: Transportation
Location: Gemünd, Germany
Spare, Completed MissionHigh Squadron flying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report
24119 December 1944Target: Railway Junction
Type: Transportation
Location: Glaadt, Germany
Scrubbed: Did Not Take OffReplaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑107148.
Sortie Report
24223 December 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Ehrang, Germany
Completed MissionLanded away at Horham due to weather.
Sortie Report
24324 December 1944Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Kirch Göns, Germany
Completed Mission13F Squadron.
Sortie Report
24427 December 1944Target: Bridge (Tactical)
Type: Transportation
Location: Altenahr, Germany
Spare, Completed MissionLow Squadron flying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report
24528 December 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brühl, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
24630 December 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Limburg, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑37703. Milligan aborted 703 after takeoff, returned and moved his crew to this Spare Aircraft. Once he was again airborne, it was too late to catch up to the Group, and he returned to base.
Sortie Report
24731 December 1944Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Neuss, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
2481 January 1945Target: Oil Storage Depot
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Derben, Germany
Completed MissionLow Squadron.
Sortie Report
2503 January 1945Target: Enemy Strong Point & Transportation Hub
Type: Military
Location: St Vith, Belgium
Completed Mission Sortie Report
2515 January 1945Target: Landing Ground
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Neiderbreisig, Germany
Scrubbed: Did Not Take OffDid not take off.
Sortie Report
2527 January 1945Target: Enemy Strong Point
Type: Military
Location: Blankenheim, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
2538 January 1945Target: Railroad
Type: Transportation
Location: Kyllburg, Germany
Scrubbed: Did Not Take OffReplaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑38752.
Sortie Report
25410 January 1945Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Bonn, Germany
Landed In Allied TerritoryLeft formation after first bomb run; did not attack; damaged by flak; force-landed in Belgium; aircraft salvaged.
Sortie Report