| Serial Number: | 42-29699 |
| Name: | OLD BATTLE AXE |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Boeing Airplane Company, B-17F-65-BO, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 547th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 547th‑SO*D |
| Start Date: | 16 July 1943. Transferred: Received from the 94th BG.. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 10 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 6 September 1943. Failed to return from combat operations. |
| Photo Album: | Aircraft 42-29699 Photo Album⇗ |
| History: | 42-29699 Delivered to Cheyenne, Wyoming for modification on 5 February 1943. Delivered to the 94th Bombardment Group at Pueblo, Colorado on 18 February 1943 then to Salina, Kansas on 27 February 1943, Brookley Field, Alabama on 19 March 1943; Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas on 23 March 1943 and Presque Isle, Maine on 9 April 1943. Assigned to the 332nd Bombardment Squadron, squadron code XM-F, 94th Bombardment Group, station 358, Earls Colne, UK on 12 May 1943 (named FIFI), Moved to Rougham, station 468 on 13 June 1943. Transferred to the 547th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code SO*D, 384th Bombardment Group, station 106, Grafton Underwood on 16 July 1943. Missing in Action on a mission to Nantes, France on 16 September 1943 with Pilot-William M. Price III, Co-pilot-Lee B. Coleman, Navigator-Harry Blakely Harvey Jr., Bombardier-Leroy A. Arquette, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner-Earl R. Beaty, Radio Operator-Robert E. Smith, Ball Turret Gunner-Daniel Griffin, Waist Gunner-James C. Leigh, Waist Gunner-Earl James Nelson, Tail Gunner-Ralph G. Grant (10 Returned to Duty); Damaged by enemy aircraft and ditched off the south coast of England, All crewmembers were rescued by Air Sea Rescue launch. No Missing Air Crew Report for this aircraft. Aircraft Name: OLD BATTLE AXE |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11⇗ | 28 July 1943 | Target: Aircraft Engine Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Kassel, Germany | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | High Squadron deputy. Turned back with #2 & #3 engines unable to produce enough power to stay with the formation. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 12⇗ | 29 July 1943 | Target: Naval Base Type: Military Location: Kiel, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 13⇗ | 30 July 1943 | Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Kassel, Germany | Completed Mission | Landed away at Martlesham Heath, AAF Station 369, on return, reason unknown. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 14⇗ | 12 August 1943 | Target: Synthetic Fuel Hydrogenation Plant Type: Industry Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Turned back because #1, #3 and #4 oil pressure dropped off between nothing and ten; feathered #1 and #3. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 17⇗ | 17 August 1943 | Target: Ball-Bearing Plant Type: Bearings Industry Location: Schweinfurt, Germany | Returned Early | Turned back before target because of trouble with three engines; dropped his bombs on a target of opportunity (TOO), an unidentified fighter airfield. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 18⇗ | 27 August 1943 | Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Watten, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 30 August 1943 | Achiet-le-Grand, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 19⇗ | 31 August 1943 | Target: Fighter Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 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 | Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused | |
| 22⇗ | 7 September 1943 | Target: Bruxelles-Evere Airfield/Repair Depot Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Brussels / Bruxelles, Belgium | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | 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 | Failed To Return: Ditched | Ditched in the English Channel Near Hope Cove, Knightsbridge, Devon (about 15 miles SE of Plymouth), after being damaged by enemy aircraft; crew rescued by a fishing boat; Leigh was injured and hospitalized in Hope Cove until 2 October; no MACR; all returned to duty. Sortie Report ⇗ |