| Serial Number: | 42-5848 |
| Name: | PATCHES |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Vega Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of Lockheed Corporation, B-17F-25-VE, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 547th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 547th‑SO*R |
| Start Date: | 1 April 1943. Original AC. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 7 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 30 July 1943. Salvaged: Extensively battle damaged. |
| Photo Album: | Aircraft 42-5848 Photo Album⇗ |
| History: | 42-5848 Delivered to Long Beach Army Air Field, California on 20 March 1943. Moved to Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa on 13 April 1943. Moved to Kearney Army Air Field, Nebraska on 4 May 1943. Moved to Dow Field [Bangor Army Air Field], Maine on 20 May 1943. Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code SO*R, 384th Bombardment Group at Grafton Underwood, Station 106, UK on 24 May 1943. The aircraft sustained battle damage on a mission to Kassel on 30 July 1943 and crash landed on return at Boxted Airfield, Station 160, Essex with Pilot William Russell Harry, Copilot Ivan Luther Rice, Navigator David Hall Black, Bombardier Charles Pershing Mannka, Radio Operator Edward Francis Simpson, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Curry A. Reed, Ball Turret Gunner John Conat McKenna, Tail Gunner Leroy Parent, Flexible Gunner Thomas Brooks Wheeler, Flexible Gunner Willard J. Cronin. Six men were injured/wounded but all returned to duty. Salvaged at Air Force Service Command (AFSC) on 6 August 1943. Aircraft Name: PATCHES |
| Bits & Pieces: |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1⇗ | 22 June 1943 | Target: General Motors Truck Factory Type: Industry Location: Antwerp, Belgium | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 5⇗ | 29 June 1943 | Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 6⇗ | 4 July 1943 | Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Le Mans, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 8⇗ | 14 July 1943 | Target: Villacoublay Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off | Replaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑5838. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 9⇗ | 24 July 1943 | Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants Type: Industry Location: Herøya, Norway | Completed Mission | Low Squadron lead. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 26 July 1943 | Hamburg, Germany, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 11⇗ | 28 July 1943 | Target: Aircraft Engine Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Kassel, Germany | Completed Mission | High Squadron lead, deputy flight leader. Led wing after flight leader aborted. 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 | Crashed In Allied Territory | Crash-landed at Boxted, AAF Station 150, on return, with extensive battle damage due to enemy aircraft and flak, with five wounded crewmen aboard. 2nd Lt. William Russell Harry awarded Silver Star (see 'As Briefed' p. 197). Sortie Report ⇗ |