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: | 42-5843 |
| Name: | BLACK GHOST |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Vega Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of Lockheed Corporation, B-17F-25-VE, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 547th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 547th‑SO*S |
| Start Date: | 1 April 1943. Original AC. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 12 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 6 September 1943. Failed to return from combat operations. |
| Related Documents: | Missing Air Crew Report # 1455⇓ (8.347 MB) |
| Photo Album: | Aircraft 42-5843 Photo Album⇗ |
| History: | 42-5843 Delivered to Long Beach Army Air Field, California [for modification] on 17 March 1943. Moved to Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa on 13 April 1943. Moved to Kearney Army Air Field, Nebraska on 4 May 1943. Moved to Dow Field [Bangor Army Air Field], Bangor, Maine on 20 May 1943. Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code SO*S, 384th Bombardment Group at Grafton Underwood, Station 106, UK on 29 May 1943. Missing In Action on a mission to Stuttgart, 6 September 1943 with Pilot Ralph R. Pulcipher, Copilot Merle Johnson, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Thomas E. Furrey Jr., Radio Operator Asbury Lee Perkins, 4 Evaded; Navigator William Eudey, Bombardier Paul S. Givens, Ball Turret Gunner Willard D. McLain, Waist Gunner Joe M. Hawkins Jr., Waist Gunner Judson L. Dacus, Tail Gunner Albert F. Gase, 6 POW. The ship sustained damage from enemy aircraft and flak. The pilot stayed with the ship after the crew bailed out until it ran out of gas. The ship crashed at Beauvais, France. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 1455. Aircraft Name: BLACK GHOST |
| Bits & Pieces: |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4⇗ | 28 June 1943 | Target: Fighter Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France | Completed Mission | Wing Lead. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 5⇗ | 29 June 1943 | Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Low Squadron Lead. Turned back due to #1 engine failure. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 6⇗ | 4 July 1943 | Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Le Mans, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 9 July 1943 | Abbeville, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | HSqLd Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 7⇗ | 10 July 1943 | Target: Drucat Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Abbeville, France | Completed Mission | High Squadron lead, Group Deputy. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 8⇗ | 14 July 1943 | Target: Villacoublay Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused | |
| 9⇗ | 24 July 1943 | Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants Type: Industry Location: Herøya, Norway | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 26 July 1943 | Hamburg, Germany, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | HSqLd Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 12⇗ | 29 July 1943 | Target: Naval Base Type: Military Location: Kiel, Germany | Completed Mission | Ground spare airceaft; replaced 42‑3259. Low Squadron lead. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 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 | Lead Squadron deputy. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 16⇗ | 16 August 1943 | Target: Le Bourget Airport & Air Depot Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Completed Mission | Low Squadron lead. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 17⇗ | 17 August 1943 | Target: Ball-Bearing Plant Type: Bearings Industry Location: Schweinfurt, Germany | Completed Mission | Group deputy. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 19 August 1943 | Gilze-Rijn, Holland, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | LdSqLd Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 24 August 1943 | Diversion (Non-Combat) | Returned To Base | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 18⇗ | 27 August 1943 | Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Watten, France | Completed Mission | High Squadron lead. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 30 August 1943 | Achiet-le-Grand, France, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | HSqLd Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 19⇗ | 31 August 1943 | Target: Fighter Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France | Completed Mission | High Squadron lead. 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 | High Squadron lead. A British Army observer and war correspondent, Maj. Anthony Cotterell, flew with this crew. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 21⇗ | 6 September 1943 | Type: Industry Location: Stuttgart, Germany | Failed To Return | Shot down by fighters and flak; crashed near Beauvais, France; MACR 1455. Sortie Report ⇗ |