41-24617 Southern Comfort

An airman of the 305th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Southern Comfort". Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '305BG. 16-2-43.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. media-407682.jpg FRE 4286 An airman of the 305th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Southern Comfort". Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '305BG. 16-2-43.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4286 - An airman of the 305th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Southern Comfort". Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943....

Assigned 364BS/305BG [WF-J] Presque 19/10/42; Grafton Underwood 25/10/42; fire & severe battle damaged over Rotterdam shipyards 31/3/43 with Hugh Ashcraft, Co-pilot: Bill Lakey, Navigator: Bert Wells, Bombardier: Jim Moberley, Radio Operator: Doug Glover, Ball turret gunner: Ray Armstrong, Waist gunner: Jim Patterson, Waist gunner: Frank Corser, Tail gunner: Frank Hilsabeck (9 Returned to Duty);



Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Steve Gogoyla Killed in Service -killed when slipped out of his chute after nearing Tolleshunt Major, a couple of miles away; pilot eventually brought the ship staggering back to crash land in woods at Beacon Hill, near Wickham Bishops, Witham, Ex., UK.; sal 1/4/43. SOUTHERN COMFORT.



A/C appears taxiing in after mission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEm49EgG1hs

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Staff Sergeant Armstrong, ball turret gunner of Lieutenant Ashcraft's 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress, part-way into his 'charge', the ball turret of the aircraft. Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '305BG. Ashcraft's crew.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortress Crew. Associated Press Photo Shows:- The Ball Turret Gunner St.Sgt. Armstrnog, examines his charge before the takeoff. Contrary to popular belief, he does not enter the turret from outside before takeoff but
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14049827 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13041005
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Beacon Hill, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Essex, UK 31 March 1943 Fire & severe battle damaged over Rotterdam shipyards 31/3/43. Crew baled out over England with TTG slipping out of his harness (KIA) [9 x RTD], pilot eventually brought the ship staggering back to crash land in woods at Beacon Hill, near Wickham Bishops, Witham, Eng.

Other

Salvaged

Beacon Hill, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Essex, UK 1 April 1943 Salvaged 1/4/43.

Assigned

Grafton Underwood, UK Assigned to 364BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Updated the Production block number per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17f-27-bo-41-24585-4…

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman Photo.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added details of event from details in Description field.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

41-24617: Gallery (2 items)