43-38019 Milk Run Special
452nd Bomb Group Assoc.
Object Number - UPL 30951
Delivered Cheyenne 16/6/44. Kearney 27/6/44. Grenier 9/7/44.
Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-T] Thurleigh 23/7/44.
During return from Kassel 15/12/44 with:
Pilot - Lorn Wilke (wia);
Co-pilot: John Murphy (2 Returned to Duty).
Navigator - Ed Smolenski;
Bombardier - Dick Gard;
Flight engineer/top turret gunner - Bob Reis;
Radio Operator - Bill Farrell;
Ball turret gunner - Walt Dehof;
Waist gunner - Bill Boyle;
Tail gunner - Gail Pashon. (7 Killed in Action).
Mid air collision with 43-37633 (306BG); crashed Greenham Common, UK.
16 killed in total.
Salvaged.
MILK RUN SPECIAL.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-764399
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot; Co-Pilot; Flight Officer
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Greenham, West Berkshire, UK | 15 December 1944 | Mid air collision with 43-37633 (306BG). Crashed at Greenham Common, UK. 16 killed in total. Salvaged. |
Revisions
Added the Manufacturer per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-75-bo-43-37874-4…
Additional details from:
http://london.usembassy.gov/gb195.html
