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Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle completed as the 2nd model D manufactured. Constructors Number 2089. Delivered to the the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as B-17D Flying Fortress serial number 40-3061. Wartime History Assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG), 14th Bombardment Squadron (14th BS). Tail code 40-5B with a red and white rudder. No known nickname or nose art. On May 13, 1941 took off from Hamilton Field on an ferry flight of B-17Cs and B-17Ds bound for Hickam Field on Oahu and landed safely on May 14, 1941 in the morning. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Flown from Hamilton Field to Hickam Field on Oahu in Hawaii. In early September 1941 departs Hickam Field as part of a B-17 formation across the Pacific bound for the Philippines. On September 5, 1941 lands at Midway Airfield to refuel. On September 9, 1941 lands at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby in New Guinea to refuel. On September 10, 1941 lands at Batchelor Field near Darwin to refuel and were the first B-17 Flying Fortress bombers in Australia then departs on the last leg of the flight to the Philippines. At the time, this was the longest mass flight of land based aircraft in the world. On December 2, 1941 attached to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF). Wartime History On December 8, 1941 in the morning at the start of the Pacific War, parked at Del Monte Airfield on Mindanano when ordered to be immediately flown to San Marcelino Airfield on Luzon and arrived in the afternoon. On December 10, 1941 took off from San Marcelino Airfield piloted by Major Emmett "Rosie" O'Donnell before dawn and flew to Clark Field. On the ground, the B-17 was armed with eight 600 lbs bombs and departed alone to bomb Japanese shipping off Vigan. Over target, this B-17 sighted a Japanese cruiser and destroyer but experienced bomb rack problems, and had to make five bombing runs, spending 45 minutes over the target area, experiencing anti-aircraft fire, but all eight bombs missed, then returned to Clark Field. Later, flown back to Del Monte Airfield. On December 18, 1941 took off from Del Monte Airfield on a flight to Batchelor Field piloted by Major Birrell "Mike" Walsh, co-pilot Lt. Edwin B. Broadhurst, navigator Lt. Edward C. Tarbutton, Bombardier Carter, Engineer Heard, radio Richardson, gunners Clark and Stephens, with passengers Gauche and Wise. On December 30, 1941 took off from Batchelor Field piloted by Major Walsh and flown to Singosari Airfield on Java. On January 1, 1942 took off from Singosari Airfield piloted by Captain Edwin B. Broadhurts (30th BS) to inspect Dutch airfields for potential use by American bombers. He first flew to Samarinda II Airfield. Next, flew to Kendari II Airfield, the returned to Singosari Airfield. Broadhurts reported both airfields were sufficient and each had enough fuel and bomb to support operations. On January 8, 1942 took off from Kendari II Airfield piloted by Broadhurst as one of nine B-17s led by Major Combs on a mission to bomb Japanese ships in Davao Gulf. Inbound, the formation encountered two violent storms and was forced to abort the mission. On January 10, 1942 took off from Kendari II Airfield on a flight to Singosari Airfield (Malang). On January 11, 1942 took off at 5:55am from Singosari Airfield piloted by Broadhurst as one of seven B-17s on a mission against Japanese shipping off Tarakan. On the way to the target, the formation encountered bad weather that broke up the formation, forcing five B-17s including this bomber to abort the mission. On January 14, 1942 at 10:00am took off Singosari Airfield piloted by Major Combs leading a flight of seven B-17s to Palembang Airfield where they were refueled and armed with Dutch bombs. On January 15, 1942 at 8:00am took off from Palembang Airfield piloted by Major Combs on a bombing mission against Sungei Patani Airfieldon the west coast of Malaya. Inbound to the target, the formation experienced severe weather with temperatures -20° C over the Indian Ocean that caused two of the bombers to abort the mission due to mechanical failures. Over the target at 27,000' the five remaining B-17s bombed. First to bomb was B-17D 40-3061 piloted by Major Combs but ten bombs hung up in the bomb racks, B-17D 40-3064 piloted by Lt. Bohnaker and B-17D 40-3074 piloted by Captain Parsel. A minute later, B-17D 40-3067 and B-17D 40-3066 also bombed, claiming 15 hits on buildings and a hangar at Sungei Patani Airfield. With ten bombs hung up, Combs took his flight around for a second bomb run but the racks failed to operated and all bombs were salvoed instead. Departing, three enemy fighters attempted to intercept but could not reach their altitude. Returning, the formation landed at Lhoknga Airfield an emergency strip on the northwest tip of Sumatra. While landing, this B-17 blew the tail wheel tire and the crew crew used a Dutch truck tire wrapped over the hub twice and were able to take off later that night. On January 16, 1942 by 2:00pm all five B-17s returned to Singosari Airfield (Malang). On February 28, 1942 this B-17 was deliberately set on fire and destroyed at Singosari Airfield (Malang) when Allied personnel evacuated. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17D Flying Fortress 40-3061 In Alis Vicimus: On Wings We Conquer (1990) pages 172 appendix A-7, A-10 & page 174 Fortress Against The Sun (2001) pages 65, 67-68, 92, 96, 99, 102-103, 108, 121, 142, 382 (Appendix B: B-17D 40-3061 14/19 Destroyed 28 Feb 42 at evacuation of Malang), 404 (footnote 73), 406 (footnote 44), 407 (chapter 7 footnote 65, chapter 8 footnote 10) December 8, 1941 (2003) pages 391, 398-399 Thanks to William Bartsch and Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute
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