42-29784 Smilin-Thru

A B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Smilin' Thru" of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'AS 305BG. - TA Harkin. via C Norman.' media-407709.jpg FRE 4308 A B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Smilin' Thru" of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'AS 305BG. - TA Harkin. via C Norman.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4308 - A B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Smilin' Thru" of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'AS 305BG. - TA Harkin. via C Norman.'

42-29784 Delivered to the Cheyenne, Wyoming Modification center on 18 February 1943. Moved to Salina, Kansas on 2 March 1943. Ferried overseas and assigned to the 366th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code KY-K, 305th Bombardment Group, station 105, Chelveston on 18 May 1943. Transferred to the 534th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code GD-E/F, 381st Bombardment Group, station 167, Ridgewell on 11 September 1943. Transferred to the 545th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code JD-V, 384th Bombardment Group, station 106, Grafton Underwood on 4 October 1943.



On return from the second Schweinfurt mission with battle damage, 14 October 1943, with Pilot-Erwin C. Johnson, Co-pilot-Elliott Leroy Gadd, Navigator-William E. Bailey, Bombardier-George J. Littleton, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner-Leo A. Hunt, Radio Operator-Sam D. Ranallo, Ball Turret Gunner-Clement A. Couture, Tail Gunner Lawrence L. Parsons, Waist Gunner-Earl S. Baker and Waist Gunner-Gustave Fless. The entire crew bailed out and returned to duty. The aircraft crashed near Baydon, Wiltshire, UK. The aircraft was salvaged on 18 October 1943. Aircraft Name: SMILIN-THRU

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 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13065833
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Togglier, Flexible Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane.  Six men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are wearing cold-weather flying gear.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-747390
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added nickname from the description data.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman Photo.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-29784: Gallery (3 items)