42-29656 The Terrible Ten : Skunkface

media-50905.jpeg UPL 50905 42-29656 'Skunkface' 322nd BS, 91st Bg
R. E. Steele photo Joe Harlick Collection

Object Number - UPL 50905 - 42-29656 'Skunkface' 322nd BS, 91st Bg R. E. Steele photo

Delivered Denver 2/2/43; Salina 9/2/43; Assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-F] Molesworth 21/3/43 "THE TERRIBLE TEN"; transferred 322BS/91BG [LG-S] Bassingbourn 5/7/43 "SKUNKFACE". Missing in Action on its 19th mission, to Aschersleben, Germany on 20 February 1944. Pilot Ernest B. Kidd; Co-pilot: Benjamin G. Beauclair; Bombardier: Charles M. Betzel (initially evaded then captured); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ober L. Torvik; Radio Operator: Theodore J. Mazor; Left Waist gunner: Billie L. Ramsey; Right Waist gunner: Ernest B. Serna; Tail gunner: Francis A. Hentges (8 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Billy H. Huish (initially evaded, but caught 22 April 1944 by Gestapo and shot, along with some aircrew from other units; Ball turret gunner: Rex Wertman (2 Killed in Action). Enemy aircraft shot out two engines. Crashed near Lens railway station, seven miles NW of Mons, Belgium. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 2460.

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15125163 and O-746370
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13083837
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15354408
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39531503
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16019810 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

20 February 1944 Shot down by fighters, crashed behind the Lens-sur-Dendre railway station, Belgium

Revisions

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Contributoracbernstein1
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Contributoracbernstein1
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Contributoracbernstein1
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Contributoracbernstein1
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ContributorED-BB
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Sources

MACR 2460
Details from Robert Delepiesse, Belgium

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Contributorflysubs
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THe co-pilot was my father

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ContributorAAM
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Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2460 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-29656: Gallery (5 items)