42-29633 SpitzFire

media-23260.jpeg UPL 23260 Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel Jr.
305th Bomb Group, 364th Squadron. Chelveston, England 1943

Doug Spitznagel

Object Number - UPL 23260 - Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel Jr. 305th Bomb Group, 364th Squadron. Chelveston, England 1943

Delivered Cheyenne 26/1/43; Salina 12/2/43; Assigned 364BS/305BG [WF-H/J/N/D] Chelveston 4/3/43. Completed missions as "Spitz Fire" under command of Lt. Frank R. Spitznagel Jr. until 8/19/43; transferred 381BG Ridgewell 11/9/43 1m; 526BS/379BG [LF-U] Kimbolton 26/9/43; then 525BS [FR-C]; Missing in Action Frankfurt 8/2/44 with Doris Beam, Navigator: Gene Gallagher, Radio Operator: George Potenakes, Waist gunner: George Lissandrello, Tail gunner: Bob Kelly (5 Prisoner of War); Bombardier: Dean Tate, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Lessig, Ball turret gunner: John Bernier, Waist gunner: David Helsel (4EVD-all ret UK by 18/3/44); Co-pilot: Bob Ross (KIA-chute damaged by numerous bullet holes); enemy aircraft, crash landed Monchy-Humieres, five miles NW of Compiegne, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 2869.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
A bomber crew of the 305th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lallah-V" that belly landed on the runway. From left to right they are: First Lieutenant Karl H. Brauer, Navigator, from Indianapolis; Major J. Lawrence Smith co-pilot, from Carpinteria, California; Second Lieutenant Magnus G. Bolken, Operations Officer, from Arnegard, North Dakota; First Lieutenant Robert D. Metcalf, Bombardier, from Sacramento, California; Staff Sergeant John F. Hill, Asst radio operator, from Valhalla, New
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12127384
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31164595
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

France 8 February 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Added finish per images.
Removed redundances in block field.

P. Marchese. March 15. 2022

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added connections to the 526 BS & 305 BG listed in the A/C description section.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

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ContributorDespitz
Changes
Sources

DS

Date
ContributorDespitz
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DS

Date
ContributorDespitz
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Doug Spitznagel

Date
ContributorDespitz
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Douglas Spitznagel

Date
ContributorDespitz
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Sources

Douglas Spitznagel

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2869 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-29633: Gallery (3 items)