42-38113 Rene III

Dark-colored B-17 bomber airplane parked on tarmac. The numbers 1000 are painted in white behind the cockpit. Under the cockpit are the words "From the Employees of the B-17 Project, Douglas, Long Beach". There is a large industrial looking building in the background UPL 60770 UPL 60770 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the Douglas Long Beach plant produced its 1000th B-17 bomber model G. The workers of the Douglas plant all payed for this special plane by buying war bonds. A book was made with photos, newspaper clippings about the plane and all the Douglas plant workers signed the book. The plane and the book were given to the 457th bomb group and Luitenant Colonel J.R. Luper was proud to receive both wonderful gifts. In January 1944 the plane, B-17G-30-DL 42-38113, was flown to its new home in England, Station 130 Glatton. In England the plane was given the name ‘Rene III’ after Lt. Col. Lupers wife. The plane flew many missions during the war but wouldn’t survive the war. Misison No.214, on March 21st 1945 she was lost over Hopsten when she was fatally hit by FLAK and crashed. Luckily almost everybody survived the crash.
The book presented to Lt. Col. Luper eventually was given back to the 457th Bomb Group and was given to Duane Zemper. We thank Eric Zemper for letting us use the beautiful photos of the book!

https://457thbombgroupassoc.org/1000th-b-17-rene-iii/

Object Number - UPL 60770 - 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the Douglas Long Beach plant produced its 1000th B-17 bomber model G. The workers of the Douglas plant all...

Delivered Cheyenne 16/12/43; Gr Island 29/12/43; Presque Is 21/1/44; Assigned 749BS/457BG [A] Glatton 23/1/44; then 750BS [R]; Missing in Action [105m] Rheine 21/3/44 with Craig Creason, Ralph Gray, Rudi Haumann, Tom Madigan, Blair Arsenault, Ralph Ingraham, Garland Frost, Ken Hazeltine (8 Returned to Duty); Bill Wagner (Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Hopsten, near Bremen; Missing Air Crew Report 13895. [also recorded as Missing in Action Politz 7/10/44 with CO Luper on board who became Prisoner of War). RENE III. (1,000th Douglas B-17, named after CO’s wife, Col Jim Luper).

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.

457th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Blair Arsenault

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31262754
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer

Garland L Frost

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Ralph L Gray

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-833910
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Craig P Greason

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Kenneth L Haseltine

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31351753
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

The mission board of the 457th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-299-2-457)(16/5/45)(Op's Board's).'

Glatton

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Connington

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 21 March 1945

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://457thbombgroupassoc.org/1000th-b-17-rene-iii/

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://457thbombgroupassoc.org/1000th-b-17-rene-iii/

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://457thbombgroupassoc.org/1000th-b-17-rene-iii/

Date
Contributormseeber99
Changes
Sources

457th Bomb Group web site

Date
Contributormseeber99
Changes
Sources

457th Bomb Group web site

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 13895 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-38113: Gallery (8 items)

B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 398th Bomb Group fly through flak.

Object number: FRE 8043 - B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 457th Bomb Group fly...

Object number: UPL 18895 - Colonel James R Luper was assigned B17 sn. 42...

Dark-colored B-17 bomber airplane parked on tarmac. The numbers 1000 are painted in white behind the cockpit. Under the cockpit are the words "From the Employees of the B-17 Project, Douglas, Long Beach". There is a large industrial looking building in the background

Object number: UPL 60770 - 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the...

Group of 13 women and 6 men standing in front of a B-17 bomber plane. All the women are standing in the rear while the men are kneeling in front. The following words are painted below the cockpit side door: From The Employees Of The B17 Project Douglas Long Beach

Object number: UPL 60773 - 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the...

Large group of people both standing and sitting on tarmac in a large open space. Everyone is looking at a B-17 bomber plane were several men in uniform are standing underneath. There is a large industrial-style building in the background. Painted on the plane are the words, "From The Employees Of The B17 Project Douglas Long Beach"

Object number: UPL 60776 - 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the...

Large group of men, lined up in three rows, in front of a B-17 bomber plane. Two rows of men are standing, and one row is kneeling

Object number: UPL 60779 - 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the...

Group of eleven men, eight wearing Air-force cold-weather flying gear, and three wearing dress uniform, standing and kneeling in front of a B-17 bomber plane. At the center-front a man holds open a large book while the other men look on.

Object number: UPL 60782 - 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the...

Two men in uniform with overcoats stand in from of an airplane each with their hands on a large book. Painted on the cockpit side door are the words: "From The Employees Of The B17 Project Douglas Long Beach"

Object number: UPL 60785 - 42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the...