42-97573

B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (JD-Q) of the 384th Bomb Group fly in formation with two B-24 Liberators during a mission. Official caption on image: "9. 51911 A.[C.]" Printed caption on reverse: '51911 AC - Release line for 2,000 lb. H.E. glide bombs is approximately 20 miles from target. U.S. Air Force Photo.' media-413583.jpg FRE 4900 B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (JD-Q) of the 384th Bomb Group fly in formation with two B-24 Liberators during a mission. Official caption on image: "9. 51911 A.[C.]" Printed caption on reverse: '51911 AC - Release line for 2,000 lb. H.E. glide bombs is approximately 20 miles from target. U.S. Air Force Photo.' 28 May 1944, "Grapefruit Mission" B-17G 42-97523, JD-Q and B-17F 42-3441, JD-E, "PATCHES II" aka "SPOTTED COW" The two objects identified as B-24 Liberators are not B-24s. They appear to be two glide bombs. The "Grapefruit" Mission For the second mission of the day - identified as "Grapefruit Mission" in Group records - the 384th Bombardment Group (H) formed the high group of the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing. This was an experimental attack using first-generation glide bombs. The primary target is identified as "Railroad Marshalling Yards" or "Industrial Center of City" in various Group documents. A great deal of practice and experimentation was involved in preparing crews and equipment for this mission. Results were inconclusive; however, it should be noted that the 384th did not repeat an attack of this type again. Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4900 - B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (JD-Q) of the 384th Bomb Group fly in formation with two B-24 Liberators during a mission. Official caption on...

Delivered Cheyenne 24/12/43; Dalhart 24/1/44; Kearney 23/2/44; Omaha 2/3/44; Patterson 12/3/44; Grenier 14/3/44; Assigned 545BS/384BG [JD-Q] Grafton Underwood 15/4/44; Missing in Action Krzesinski 29/5/44 with Mark Moore Jr, Co-pilot: Clifford Cicero Sullivan, Navigator: Arthur Peter Michel Jr, Bombardier: Ralph Otho Dilley, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Robert Wayne Kunce, Radio Operator: James DeValera Flaherty, Ball turret gunner: James Raymond Rood, Waist gunner: Kenneth Ainley Wyatt, Tail gunner: John Joseph Kennedy (9 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Korngut, three miles SW of Graetz, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 5318.

Connections

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Units served with

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 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-001463
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13108642
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32505865
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36445974
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-707963
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 15 April 1944 - 29 May 1944 15 April 1944. New Replacement Aircraft.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5318 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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