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| USAAF 5th AF 7th BG
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Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2095. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-2459. Wartime History Assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG). No known nickname or nose art. Ferried overseas by pilot Captain John L. "Duke" Dufrane, Jr. from the United States via the "Africa Route" bound for Java. On January 14, 1942 arrived with a LB-30 at Singosari Airfield (Malang) on Java. Wartime History On January 16, 1942 at 2:15am took off from Kendari II Airfield on Celebes (Sulawesi) piloted by Lt. John L. DuFrane with B-17E "El Toro" 41-2461 on a bombing mission against Japanese transports off Menado. Over the target, the pair were forced to make a second bomb run due to hung up bombs. During the bomb run, anti-aircraft fire hit one engine on this bomber, disabling it. After bombing, the pair claimed one transport capsized and another damaged. Next, the pair were intercepted by fourteen Zeros and attacked for roughly forty minutes. During the air combat, this B-17 was hit by more gunfire and a second engine was knocked out. Aboard, gunners claimed two Zeros shot down before entering clouds and managed to landed safely at Kendari II Airfield. While being refueled, the wounded crew were evacuated, five Zeros arrived and strafed. During the attack, this B-17 took off piloted by Lt. Dufrane bound Malang Airfield on Java and landed safely. On January 17, 1942 and January 18, 1942 while parked at Singosari Airfield (Malang) repairs were attempted but interrupted by Japanese air raids including strafing attacks by A6M2 Zeros. Three times this B-17 attempted to take off but was unable to get airborne. Fate By January 19, 1942 attempts to repair the bomber were abandoned and it was stripped of usable parts then destroyed to prevent it from being captured by the Japanese. This was the first B-17E Flying Fortress lost in the Pacific War. Wreckage Ultimate fate unknown, likely captured by the Japanese and scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2459 "2459 (7th BG) DBR [Damaged Beyond Repair] on ground at Kendari, Java Jan 16, 1942 during strafing attack. Burned by US Jan 16, 1942 [sic]." Fortress Against The Sun (2001) pages 107, 111-112, 358 (Appendix B: B-17E 41-2459, 7th BG, Strafedon ground, Kendari. Damaged beyond repair. Burned by U.S. 16 Jan 42. Salvaged. Pilot: Lt. Edward J. Bechtold. Hit B-17E (41-2640) Contribute
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