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The B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9026) nicknamed "Baby Doll" of the 92nd Bomb Group takes off. Passed for publication 5 Sep 1942. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'Training American Bomber Crews In England, Sept. 1942. Preparing for the day when the might of the American and British Air Forces will strike together against the heart of Germany are many U.S. Army Air Corps bomber crews with their giant Flying Fortresses. They are completing their training over here at airfields which the American authorities have taken over from the R.A.F. and will soon be ready to go into action alongside their comrades who are already bombing the Germans in occupied territory. This picture, taken at an American Bomber Training School somewhere in England, shows – A Flying Fortress taking off from an airfield in England.' Handwritten on reverse: 'Baby Doll #19026.' On reverse: Central Press Photos Ltd. [Stamp].
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The nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Baby Doll" of the 97th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: 'United States Air Force In Britain. The nose of a Flying Fortress bomber. The bomb-aimers position is in the "mouth" of the strange face of the aircraft.' On reverse: Charles E. Brown; US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
Boeing B-17E
41-9026
Baby Doll
Polebook, England (342BS/97BG) – March 1942
Bovingdon, England (327/92BG) – 24 August 1942
Missing In Action – 6 September 1942
Shot down by Overfeldwebel Wilhelm Roth (4/JG26) over the English Channel.
No survivors.
Part of strike force on VIII Bomber Command Mission 1 (17 August 1942).
One of the first two 8AF Boeing B-17s to be lost in combat (6 September 1942).
Service
Units
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Group
The 92nd Group sometime after arrivial in the UK converted to the role of in-theater combat crew indocrination and training. For this role, the Group traded its B-17F complement and obtained the B-17E, mostly from the 97th BG which was departing for...
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Group
The 97th Bomb Group flew the Eighth Air Force's first heavy bomber mission from the UK when they bombed a marshalling yard at Rouen on 17 August 1942. Just a month later though the Group were reassigned to the Twelfth Air Force and left England for the...
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People
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Military | Private First Class | Ball Turret Gunner | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17E #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Ball Turret Gunner. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17 #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Co-Pilot. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17 #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Bombardier. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17E #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Tail Gunner. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Sergeant | Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17 #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Radio Operator. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17 #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Navigator. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17 #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Waist Gunner. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Lieutenant | Pilot | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17 #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Pilot. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Sergeant | Engineer/Top Turret Gunner | 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
Shot down 6 September 1942 in B-17E #41-9026 'Baby Doll' while serving as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner. Crashed into Channel. Killed in Action (KIA)
Missions
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17 August 1942
The US 8AF launches its first strategic bombing raid of the war, sending 12 Boeing B-17Es of the 97BG on a strike against the railyards of Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France, while another six fly a diversionary route. The attacking force is split into two...
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6 September 1942
15BS despatches 12 DB-7 A-20 Boston IIIs to attack the German airfield of Drucat at Abbeville, France; 92BG & 97BG together despatach 51 B-17s to bomb the Avion Portez aircraft factory ar Meaulte, France; 301BG despatches 13 B-17s to attack German...
Places
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Military site : airfield
Bovingdon, in Hertfordshire (often confused with Bovington, Dorset), was built in 1941-42 as a bomber station but was never developed into a fully-fledged heavy bomber airfield as it did not have the required 2,000 yard runway.
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Military site : airfield
Polebrook was laid down for RAF Bomber Command use in 1940-1941. Built by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd, it had short runways which were lengthened for USAAF heavy bomber use. The RAF used the base for operational trials - including of B-17 Flying...
Events
Not yet known