41-9098 Big Bitch

media-34862.jpeg UPL 34862 Centre of picture is B-17E 41-9098 'Big Bitch' en route to ETO 1942. At this point was assigned 359BS, 303BG, 8AF, later transferred to 340BS, 97BG, 8AF.

USAAF Photo.

Object Number - UPL 34862 - Centre of picture is B-17E 41-9098 'Big Bitch' en route to ETO 1942. At this point was assigned 359BS, 303BG, 8AF, later transferred to 340BS, 97BG,...

Delivered Boise and assigned 359BS/303BG Molesworth 10/4/42; transferred 340BS/97BG Polebrook 8/42; detailed on a navigation exercise to Burtonwood, Lancs., the weather was poor, and almost certainly the red warning flares on North Wales border were missed, thus while continuing on their heading and crashed on eastern side of Cadair Berwyn, Llanthawdr Mtn, Wales 11/8/42 with Henry Gilbert, Co-pilot: Bob Beers, Navigator: Larry Schmitt, Bombardier: Leon Philipps, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Stan Aldridge, Radio Operator: Bob Memp, Ball turret gunner: Stanislas Lepa; Waist gunner: Ken Branum, Tail gunner: Wallace Sidders + two pass: Marvin Koepke, Fidel Villareal (11 Killed in Service). Salvaged. First B-17 loss in Britain involving fatalities.

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18063167
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14059939 / O-437940
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6661532
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14042901 / O-430984
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13003763
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

Molesworth, Huntingdon PE28 0QD, UK 10 April 1942 Assigned to 359BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF.

Crashed

Cadair Berwyn, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Corwen LL21 0TE, UK 11 August 1942 Failed To Return (FTR) navigation exercise. Poor weather caused crash on Cadair Bronwen, Wales. 11-Aug-42. 11 x DNB.

Assigned

Polebrook, Peterborough PE8 5LN, UK Transferred to 340BS, 97BG, 8AF USAAF.

Manufactured

Seattle, WA, USA Built at Boeing.

Delivered

Mountain Home Air Force Base, 366 Gunfighter Ave, Mountain Home AFB, ID 83648, USA Delivered Boise AAF Apr-42.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

41-9098: Gallery (1 items)