|  |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 6 SR Former Assignments 19th BG 93rd BS 43rd BG 64th BS 63rd BS 54th TCW 40th TCS
|
Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2476. On March 7, 1942 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-2665. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 93rd Bombardment Squadron (93rd BS). On August 7, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Captain Bridges on a bombing mission against Rabaul. During November 1942 assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS). Assigned to Lt. Stanley G. Salisbury. Nicknamed "Salisbury's Silly Saps" with the nickname painted in three lines with a large "S" shared by all three words painted in white. Later, renamed as "Lulu". On August 10, 1943 assigned to the 63rd Bombardment Squadron (63rd BS). Assigned to pilot Miller and continued to be known as "Lulu". On January 5, 1943 one of six B-17s that took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Captain Salisbury armed with 500 pound bombs bombing mission against Rabaul. The formation also included six B-24 Liberators from the 90th Bombardment Group. Aboard was photographers Lt. Ellis W. Carter, O-192659 of the 5th Combat Camera Unit (5th CCU) was recording 16mm film footage and George Lent was taking photographs. Over the target around noon at roughly 8,500' the bombers approached from the southeast between Kokopo and Rapopo and bombed enemy shipping. B-24s claimed hits on two ships and B-17s claimed hits on nine including a destroyer. In fact, only the Keifuku Maru sustained two near misses that caused her to sink and an MLC was sunk. Bomb fragments did cause fires aboard other ships and inflicted 20 casualties. Lost was B-17F "San Antonio Rose" 41-24458 (MIA, two POW). During November 1943, this B-17 was one of twelve transfered to 5th Bomber Command and later to 54th Troop Carrier Wing (TCW), 40th Troop Carrier Squadron. Renamed "Pretty Baby" with nose number 49. Operated as an armed transport. During 1945, transfered to the 6th Search & Rescue (6th SR) based at Clark Field. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2665 "2665 ("Lulu) delivered to Minneapolis Mar 7, 1942; assigned to 19BG/93BS at Hickam, Hawaii; transferred to 63R Clark Field, Philippines late 1942." YouTube "Mission To Rabaul New Britain January 5, 1943" NARA 5th AAF CCU "Mission To Rabaul New Britain" January 5, 1943 Fortress Against The Sun page 368, 388, 428-429 Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume I (2016) pages 326 (63rd BS), 327 (64th BS), 341 (photo Salisbury's Silly Saps), 343, 397 (index Lulu), 402 (index Salisbury's Silly Saps) Thanks to Eugene Monihan for additional information on January 5, 1943 mission Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 B-17 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
