42-5888 Elusive Elcy

The wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5888) nicknamed "Elusive Elcy" of the 94th Bomb Group flies off as a result of a direct hit, during a mission over Emden. Handwritten caption on reverse: '94 BG. 27/9/43.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A DRAMATIC INCIDENT DURING THE AIR WAR OVER EUROPE: A WING BREAKS OFF A FLYING FORTRESS DURING A DAYLIGHT BATTLE, AND THE STRICKEN BOMBER BEGINS TO TURN OVER AS IT STARTS ON THE WAY DOWN TO EARTH. This picture illustrates one of the hazards which the big A media-408493.jpg FRE 3862 The wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5888) nicknamed "Elusive Elcy" of the 94th Bomb Group flies off as a result of a direct hit, during a mission over Emden.

Handwritten caption on reverse: '94 BG. 27/9/43.'

Printed caption on reverse: 'A DRAMATIC INCIDENT DURING THE AIR WAR OVER EUROPE: A WING BREAKS OFF A FLYING FORTRESS DURING A DAYLIGHT BATTLE, AND THE STRICKEN BOMBER BEGINS TO TURN OVER AS IT STARTS ON THE WAY DOWN TO EARTH. This picture illustrates one of the hazards which the big American bombers have to face daily in their attacks on Germany and German-occupied Europe. A formation of Fortresses were flying over heavy cloud towards their objectives when they were attacked with disastrous results for one of their number. Whether as the consequence of an onslaught by fighters or by flak, the Fortress at the top of the picture was hit: half a wing broke off – it can be seen clearly in the air – and flame appears to be coming from the remaining half. The bomber has already begun to turn over, just as the plane begins to dive down to earth. If conditions are favourable the crew may be able to take to their parachutes before the inevitable crash. Meanwhile the remainder of the formation ploughs on steadily towards the target. Despite the danger of heavy losses, the daylight bombing by the American Air Forces is steady reducing Germany’s capacity to wage war, because of the precision methods which can only be applied when the target below is clearly visible to the bombers above.'
On reverse: US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamp]. 289587. [Censor no.] Roger Freeman Collection

Added paragraphs for legibility.

Object Number - FRE 3862 - The wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5888) nicknamed "Elusive Elcy" of the 94th Bomb Group flies off as a result of a direct hit,...

Delivered Long Beach 22/4/43; Smoky Hill 28/4/43; Lincoln 22/5/43; Dow Fd 25/5/43; Assigned 331BS/94BG [QE-X] Earls Colne 27/5/43; Rougham 13/6/43; Missing in Action Emden 7/9/43 with Harley Roberts, Co-pilot: Ed Nelson, Navigator: Sam Posner, Bombardier: Wilbert Peterson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Cucial Roberts, Radio Operator: Bill Breaton, Ball turret gunner: Paul Muha, Waist gunner: John O’Brien, Waist gunner: Patrick Bolger, obs-Lt Junior Dingman (10 Killed in Action); Tail gunner: Dick Scott (Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, exploded near Norden, N of Emden, crashed Schoowerth, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 732. ELUSIVE ELCY.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32439400
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Observer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36221319
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 27 September 1943

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 732 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-5888: Gallery (2 items)