Grafton Underwood, England (Station 106) 1943-1945
Combat History of the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in WWII
384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
"Keep The Show On The Road"
| Serial Number: | 42-3455 |
| Name: | LUCKY THIRTEEN |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, B-17F-65-DL, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 546th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 546th‑BK*M |
| Ground Crew Chief: | Coon, Lawrence John |
| Start Date: | 11 August 1943. New Replacement AC. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 7 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 6 September 1943. Failed to return from combat operations. |
| Related Documents: | Missing Air Crew Report # 775⇓ (9.803 MB) |
| Photo Album: | No Photo Album For This Aircraft |
| History: | 42-3455 Delivered to Cheyenne, Wyoming on 21 June 1943. Moved to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine on 28 July 1943. Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code BK-M, 384th Bombardment Group, Grafton Underwood, Station 106, UK On 11 August 1943. Missing In Action on a mission to Stuttgart, Germany on 6 September 1943 with Pilot Russel R. Faulkiner, Bombardier Harry A. Hawes, Engineer/Top Turret Oscar K. Hamblin, 3 evaded (3 EVD); Copilot Warren B. Holland, Navigator Richard J. Peirce, Radio Operator Charles L. Kirby Jr., Ball Turret Gunner Harry Saperstein, Waist Gunner Edward F. Ruch, Waist Gunner James P. Morley, Tail Gunner William H. Ross (7POW). The ship ran out of gas and crashed at Bois des Moines, near Airion, 14 miles East of Beauvais, France. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 775. Aircraft Name: LUCKY THIRTEEN. |
| Bits & Pieces: |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15⇗ | 15 August 1943 | Target: Poix-en-Picardie and Amiens-Glisy Airfields Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Poix-de-Picardie & Amiens, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 16⇗ | 16 August 1943 | Target: Le Bourget Airport & Air Depot Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 17⇗ | 17 August 1943 | Target: Ball-Bearing Plant Type: Bearings Industry Location: Schweinfurt, Germany | Completed Mission | S/Sgt. Loring Miller, right waist gunner, awarded Silver Star (As Briefed, p. 198). Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 18⇗ | 27 August 1943 | Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Watten, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 30 August 1943 | Achiet-le-Grand, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 19⇗ | 31 August 1943 | Target: Fighter Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 2 September 1943 | Vannes, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 20⇗ | 3 September 1943 | Target: Air Park and Aerodrome Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 21⇗ | 6 September 1943 | Type: Industry Location: Stuttgart, Germany | Failed To Return | Out of gas (both wings hit by flak), FW-190 finished them off, crashed in the Bois des Moines, 11 miles NNW of d'Airion and about 16 miles NE of Beauvais, France; MACR 775. Sortie Report ⇗ |