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: | 43-37843 |
| Name: | ALEX |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Boeing Airplane Company, B-17G-70-BO, Natural Metal Finish |
| Squadron: | 547th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 547th‑SO*B |
| Start Date: | 21 July 1944. New Replacement AC. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 90 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 5 April 1945. Salvaged: Force-landed in Belgium after a midair collision. |
| Photo Album: | Aircraft 43-37843 Photo Album⇗ |
| History: | 43-37843 Del Cheyenne 27/5/44; Kearney 6/6/44; Dow Fd 27/6/44; Ass 547BS/384BG [SO-B] Grafton Underwood 21/7/44; collision damage Ingoldstadt 5/4/45 w/unknown pilot; f/l Belgium, Sal. RECALL. |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 164⇗ | 24 July 1944 | Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points Type: Military Location: La Chapelle en Juger & Hébécrevon, France | Completed Mission | Low Squadron lead, high group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 166⇗ | 28 July 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Merseburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron deputy, lead group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 168⇗ | 31 July 1944 | Target: Aero Engine Factory Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Munich / München, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Group, Low Squadron Lead. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 169⇗ | 1 August 1944 | Target: Railroad Bridge Type: Transportation Location: Chartres, France | Completed Mission | High Group, High Squadron Deputy. Dropped bombs early. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 170⇗ | 3 August 1944 | Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France | Completed Mission | I Group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 172⇗ | 4 August 1944 | Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Crepieul, France | Completed Mission | Hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 173⇗ | 5 August 1944 | Target: Luftwaffe Controlling Station Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Langenhagen, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron deputy, lead group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 174⇗ | 7 August 1944 | Target: Aircraft Fuel Depot Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Dugny (Paris), France | Completed Mission | Low Squadron lead, low group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 175⇗ | 8 August 1944 | Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points Type: Military Location: Bretteville-sur-Laize, France | Completed Mission | High group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 176⇗ | 9 August 1944 | Target: Erding Airdrome & Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Erding, Germany | Completed Mission | Lead group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 177⇗ | 11 August 1944 | Target: Tactical: Coastal Artillery Emplacements Type: Military Location: Brest, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 178⇗ | 12 August 1944 | Target: "Landing Ground" Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: La Perthe, France | Completed Mission | High section deputy, high group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 179⇗ | 13 August 1944 | Target: Tactical: Road Network Type: Transportation Location: Beaumont-le-Roger (area), France | Completed Mission | Low group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 180⇗ | 14 August 1944 | Target: Echterdingen Airdrome Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Stuttgart, Germany | Completed Mission | High group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 181⇗ | 16 August 1944 | Target: Delitzsch Air Field and Air Equipment Depot Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Delitzsch, Germany | Completed Mission | Lead group hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 182⇗ | 18 August 1944 | Target: Tactical: Bridge Type: Transportation Location: Vise, Belgium | Completed Mission | Low Squadron lead, low group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 183⇗ | 24 August 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Merseburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 186⇗ | 30 August 1944 | Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Crepieul, France | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 187⇗ | 3 September 1944 | Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works Type: Industry Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 188⇗ | 5 September 1944 | Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works Type: Industry Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany | Completed Mission | Landed with wounded aboard. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 189⇗ | 8 September 1944 | Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works Type: Industry Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 190⇗ | 9 September 1944 | Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works Type: Industry Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany | Completed Mission | Bombs not released; bomb bay doors could not be opened. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 191⇗ | 10 September 1944 | Target: BMW Motor Component Parts Plant Type: Industry Location: Sindelfingen, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 192⇗ | 11 September 1944 | Target: Oil Refinery Type: Oil Industry Location: Lützkendorf & Merseburg, Germany | Completed Mission | 41A Group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 198⇗ | 25 September 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany | Completed Mission | C wing, low group. Hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 199⇗ | 26 September 1944 | Target: Steelworks Type: Industry Location: Osnabrück, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 201⇗ | 28 September 1944 | Target: Steelworks Type: Industry Location: Magdeburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 202⇗ | 30 September 1944 | Target: Handorf Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Münster, Germany | Spare, Completed Mission | Low Squadron flying spare; joined formation. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 203⇗ | 2 October 1944 | Target: Ford Motor Works Type: Industry Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 208⇗ | 9 October 1944 | Target: Ball-Bearing Plant Type: Bearings Industry Location: Schweinfurt, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 209⇗ | 11 October 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Wesseling, Germany | Completed Mission | First Squadron hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 211⇗ | 15 October 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 212⇗ | 17 October 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 213⇗ | 18 October 1944 | Target: Ford Motor Works Type: Industry Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany | Landed In Allied Territory | Landed in allied territory due to battle damage and low fuel. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 215⇗ | 25 October 1944 | Target: Nordstern Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 218⇗ | 2 November 1944 | Target: Ruhr-Chemie A.G. Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Sterkrade (Holten), Germany | Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off | Replaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 44‑6592. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 219⇗ | 4 November 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Bottrop (Welheim), Germany | Spare, Completed Mission | High Squadron flying spare; joined formation. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 220⇗ | 5 November 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 221⇗ | 6 November 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Bottrop (Welheim), Germany | Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused | |
| 223⇗ | 9 November 1944 | Target: Ground Installations Type: Military Location: Ouvrages de Sorbey (Metz), France | Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off | Replaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑97251. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 224⇗ | 10 November 1944 | Target: Ostheim Airfield & Butzweilerhof Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany | Completed Mission | 41C Group, High Squadron. Landed away on continent due to low fuel. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 225⇗ | 11 November 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 226⇗ | 16 November 1944 | Target: Tactical - Artillery Positions Type: Military Location: Eschweiler, Germany | Completed Mission | Lead Squadron, 41st Bomb Wing D group. Landed away at Tilstock, due to weather. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 227⇗ | 20 November 1944 | Target: Buer Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany | Completed Mission | Landed away at Bassingbourn, due to weather. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 229⇗ | 25 November 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Lützkendorf, Germany | Completed Mission | Landed away at Aldermaston, due to weather. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 231⇗ | 27 November 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Offenburg, Germany | Spare, Completed Mission | Lead Squadron flying spare; joined formation. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 232⇗ | 29 November 1944 | Target: Oil Refinery Type: Oil Industry Location: Misburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 233⇗ | 30 November 1944 | Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery Type: Oil Industry Location: Zeitz, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 234⇗ | 2 December 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Oberlahnstein, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 235⇗ | 4 December 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Soest, Germany | Completed Mission | Landed away at RAF Boreham, Essex, due to low fuel. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 236⇗ | 6 December 1944 | Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Merseburg, Germany | Completed Mission | High Squadron hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 237⇗ | 9 December 1944 | Target: Airfield and Daimler Factory Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Böblingen (Stuttgart area), Germany | Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off | Replaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑32106. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 238⇗ | 11 December 1944 | Target: Road & Rail Bridge Type: Transportation Location: Mannheim, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron, D Group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 239⇗ | 12 December 1944 | Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Merseburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 240⇗ | 18 December 1944 | Target: Road Junction Type: Transportation Location: Gemünd, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 241⇗ | 19 December 1944 | Target: Railway Junction Type: Transportation Location: Glaadt, Germany | Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off | Did not take off due to weather which deteriorated after lead aircraft took off. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 242⇗ | 23 December 1944 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Ehrang, Germany | Completed Mission | Landed away at Woodbridge due to weather. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 244⇗ | 27 December 1944 | Target: Bridge (Tactical) Type: Transportation Location: Altenahr, Germany | Completed Mission | High Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 248⇗ | 1 January 1945 | Target: Oil Storage Depot Type: Oil Industry Location: Derben, Germany | Completed Mission | Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑37788. High Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 250⇗ | 3 January 1945 | Target: Enemy Strong Point & Transportation Hub Type: Military Location: St Vith, Belgium | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 43‑38757. High Squadron. Aborted due to a broken oil line. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 251⇗ | 5 January 1945 | Target: Landing Ground Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Neiderbreisig, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 252⇗ | 7 January 1945 | Target: Enemy Strong Point Type: Military Location: Blankenheim, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 253⇗ | 8 January 1945 | Target: Railroad Type: Transportation Location: Kyllburg, Germany | Spare, Completed Mission | Flying spare; joined formation. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 254⇗ | 10 January 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Bonn, Germany | Completed Mission | High Squadron. Landed at RAF Bradwell Bay, Essex, on return due to low fuel. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 255⇗ | 15 January 1945 | Target: Neuburg Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Neuburg an der Donau, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 256⇗ | 17 January 1945 | Target: Railroad Viaduct Type: Transportation Location: Bielefeld, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 258⇗ | 21 January 1945 | Target: Marshalling Yard Type: Transportation Location: Aschaffenburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 259⇗ | 22 January 1945 | Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery Type: Oil Industry Location: Sterkrade, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 260⇗ | 23 January 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Neuss, Germany | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Turned back due to mechanical failure. Landed away at Bassingbourn Airfield, AAF Station 121. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 263⇗ | 1 February 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Mannheim, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 264⇗ | 3 February 1945 | Target: Tempelhof Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Berlin, Germany | Spare, Completed Mission | Lead Squadron, Flying Spare; joined formation. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 7 February 1945 | Essen/Bottrop, Germany, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 265⇗ | 9 February 1945 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Lützkendorf, Germany | Completed Mission | High Squadron hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 266⇗ | 14 February 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Dresden, Germany | Completed Mission | May have flown with another group. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 267⇗ | 15 February 1945 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Bohlen, Germany | Did Not Take Off | Did not take off because bad weather halted flight operations. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 17 February 1945 | Mannheim, Germany, RECALLED | Mission Recalled | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 268⇗ | 19 February 1945 | Target: Coking Plant Type: Industry Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 271⇗ | 22 February 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Ülzen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 273⇗ | 24 February 1945 | Target: Submarine Construction Shipyard Type: Shipyards Location: Hamburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 274⇗ | 25 February 1945 | Target: Tank & Submarine Engine Factory Type: Industry Location: Friedrichshafen, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 276⇗ | 27 February 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Wahren (Leipzig area), Germany | Spare, Completed Mission | Lead Squadron flying spare; joined formation. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 277⇗ | 28 February 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Hagen, Germany | Completed Mission | High Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 278⇗ | 1 March 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Bruchsal, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 279⇗ | 2 March 1945 | Target: Low Temperature Carbonization Plant and Refinery of Deutsche Petroleum A.G. Type: Oil Industry Location: Rositz, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 280⇗ | 3 March 1945 | Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery Type: Oil Industry Location: Misburg, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 281⇗ | 4 March 1945 | Target: Ordnance Depot Type: Military Location: Ulm, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 282⇗ | 7 March 1945 | Target: Oil Refinery Type: Oil Industry Location: Bochum, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 283⇗ | 8 March 1945 | Target: Oil Refinery - 'Benzol Plant' Type: Oil Industry Location: Essen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 285⇗ | 10 March 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Schwerte, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 286⇗ | 11 March 1945 | Target: Vacuum Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Bremen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 287⇗ | 12 March 1945 | Target: Railway Center Type: Transportation Location: Betzdorf, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 292⇗ | 19 March 1945 | Target: Braunkohle-Benzin Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Bohlen, Germany | Completed Mission | 41D Squadron. Ground Spare aircraft; replaced 42‑97824. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 293⇗ | 20 March 1945 | Target: Deutsche Werft Submarine Shipyard Type: Submarine Facility Location: Hamburg, Germany | Aborted Mission After Taking Off. | Turned back with #3 turbocharger out; bombs jettisoned in Channel. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 294⇗ | 22 March 1945 | Target: German Hutted Camps (Barracks) at 51°36'N,7°06'E Type: Military Location: Westerholt, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 295⇗ | 23 March 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Gladbeck, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 296⇗ | 24 March 1945 | Target: Vechta Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Vechta, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| -- | 25 March 1945 | Lutzkendorf, Germany, RECALLED | Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused | |
| 298⇗ | 26 March 1945 | Target: Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Zeitz, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron hot camera ship. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 300⇗ | 30 March 1945 | Target: Deutsche Schiff- u. Maschinenbau A.G. (DESCHIMAG)
Submarine and Warship Yard Machine Shop Type: Submarine Facility Location: Bremen, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 301⇗ | 31 March 1945 | Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Lützkendorf, Germany | Completed Mission | Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 302⇗ | 3 April 1945 | Target: Underground Oil Storage Depot Type: Oil Industry Location: Kiel, Germany | Ground Spare Aircraft, Unused | |
| 303⇗ | 4 April 1945 | Target: Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Fassberg, Germany | Completed Mission | Low Squadron. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 304⇗ | 5 April 1945 | Target: Ordnance Depot Type: Military Location: Ingolstadt, Germany | Crashed In Allied Territory | Damage to wing from collision with 44‑8430 in bad weather. Crew bailed out; aircraft crashed in Belgium. Sortie Report ⇗ |