Robert James Brockman

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Staff-Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in the Knight". Image stamped on reverse: 'International News Photos.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publciation 6 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '314922.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' HB 35. S/Sgt. Robert Brackman chalks up 38th Bomb on "Blues in the night" ( See above for details).' media-380043.jpg FRE 1246 Staff Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in the Knight".

Image stamped on reverse: 'International News Photos.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publciation 6 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '314922.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' HB 35. S/Sgt. Robert Brackman chalks up 38th Bomb on "Blues in the Night" ( See above for details).'
This original caption both misspells Brockman's name and the aircraft's name. Roger Freeman Collection

Corrected IWM caption in light of research carried out by Richard Lewis of https://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home and his correspondence with the Brockman family, who were told the spelling of the aircraft by M/Sgt Brockman in his personal documentations.

Object Number - FRE 1246 - Staff Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in...

Assigned to 526BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Staff Sergeant Robert J. Brockman was a Ground Crew Chief for the 526th Bomb Squadron of the 379th Bomb Group.

He had more than two aircraft assigned to his Maintenance Crews.

The first one was B-17 42-37791 which he named: "Blues in the Night". This turned out to be a temporary assignment to this Ground Crew. The reason was that in December of 1943 this ship was reassigned to another Ground Crew in the same Squadron. Eventually, this ship went MIA on 7-May-44 with the Lt Thomas M. Smith crew on board. MACR 4558.

In December 1943, aircraft B-17 42-39783 arrived at Kimbolton from the 384th BG to replace S/Sgt Brockman's first "Blues in the Night". He immediately dubbed this ship "Blues in the Knight".

On 10-May-45, Robert Brockman was on board B-17 44-8198 when it was involved in a mid-air collision with B-17 44-8813 over Braintree, Essex, England on a sightseeing tour of damaged European targets. Robert was killed in the crash as were 3 other men on board. 4 men died in the other Fortress. Died non-battle (DNB).



Awards: GC, WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13068908
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19115504
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-707054
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20153772 at enlistment, then O-757896
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700623
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Blues in the Night
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
Staff-Sergeant Robert J Brockman of the 379th Bomb Group paints a mission marking onto the nose of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-39783, nicknamed "Blues in the Knight". Image stamped on reverse: 'International News Photos.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publciation 6 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '314922.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' HB 35. S/Sgt. Robert Brackman chalks up 38th Bomb on "Blues in the night" ( See above for details).'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Blues in the Knight
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Midway, Washington County, Pennsylvania 23 December 1917

Enlisted

Cleveland, OH, USA 23 June 1942 Cleveland, Ohio

Died

Braintree, Essex, England 10 May 1945 in the crash of B-17 44-8198 after a mid-air collision with B-17 44-8813

Buried

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia Section 12, Site 8012

Based

Kimbolton 10 May 1945 Assigned to 526BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
NARA WWII Army Casualties for Trumbull County, Ohio

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Information sent through by Richard Lewis, webmaster of https://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home after detailed correspondence with the Brockman family.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Combat Chronology Supplement p. 206; 379th Bombardment Group Anthology, pg  217 and 343 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Robert James Brockman: Gallery (2 items)