42-39800 Just So, Patches
![Master Sergeant James L. Smith a crew chief of the 379th Bomb Group inspects the propellor of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Patches" which was blown off by flak and became embedded in the wing, 8 May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '8/5/44.' Printed caption removed from reverse. Censor no: 319496. On reverse: Associated Press and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-413487.jpg.webp?itok=hTzM2KhT)
Roger Freeman Photo
Object Number - FRE 4803 - Master Sergeant James L. Smith a crew chief of the 379th Bomb Group inspects the propellor of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Patches" which was...
Delivered 4/9/43; Assigned 303BG Molesworth 18/10/43; transferred 1 Base Air Depot, Burtonwood 23/10/43; re-ass 547BS/384BG [SO- ] Grafton Underwood 2/11/43; transferred 526BS/379BG [LF-T] Kimbolton 7/11/43; crashed RAF Wilton, UK 2/12/44; sal 2 SAD Warton, Nfk 5/12/44. JUST SO aka PATCHES.
Connections
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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: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-805776
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-694353
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35579373
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-755018
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier / Navigator / Bombardier Instructor
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15103734 / O-692968
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
![A B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Ruth L", flown by Lieutenant NL Young, of the 96th Bomb Group flies through a cascade of bombs released by another Fortress over Oranienburg, Germany. Strike camera photo. Handwritten caption on reverse: '22/3/44. Looks like JW code - 92BG? [sic]Supposedly Bremen raid but bombs look like M47.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408680.jpg.webp?itok=47P7nfd_)
- Date: 22 March 1944
- Date: 16 March 1944
![Master Sergeant James L. Smith a crew chief of the 379th Bomb Group inspects the propellor of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Patches" which was blown off by flak and became embedded in the wing, 8 May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '8/5/44.' Printed caption removed from reverse. Censor no: 319496. On reverse: Associated Press and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413487.jpg.webp?itok=YJBBrTF7)
