43-37869

Blonde Bomber

 

B-17G-70-BO 43-37869 was completed in the Seattle plant on May 31, 1944. It was assigned to the 710th Bomb Squadron, 447th Bomb Group, and reached Rattlesden at the end of June. Blond Bomber was named by crew chief M/Sgt Milan P. Maroney, in honor of his wife.

Combat Missions:

No. DATE TARGET PILOT
1 07/20/44 Merseburg T.K. Brown
2 07/24/44 St. Lo Area T.K. Brown
3 08/01/44 Areas 10 & 14 T.K. Brown
4 08/02/44 St. Dennis T.K. Brown
5 08/04/44 Arras-Ostend Shute
6 08/07/44 Anizy le Chateau T.K. Brown
7 08/08/44 Bretteville T.K. Brown
8 08/09/44 Aachen T.K. Brown
9 08/11/44 Belfort M/Y T.K. Brown
10 08/14/44 Mannheim T.K. Brown
11 08/15/44 Handorf A/F Brown
12 08/16/44 Rositz T.K. Brown
13 08/24/44 Brux T.K. Brown
14 08/30/44 Bremen Nelms
15 09/01/44 Mainz Moore
16 09/03/44 Brest Brown
17 09/05/44 Brest Morrison
18 09/08/44 Mainz Brown
19 09/12/44 Bohlen Brown
20 09/13/44 Stuttgart Brown
21 09/26/44 Bremen Moore
22 10/02/44 Kassel Harwood
23 10/05/44 Munster A/F Pearsall
24 10/07/44 Merseburg Pearsall
25 10/09/44 Gustavsburg Haight
26 10/14/44 Cologne Pearsall
27 10/15/44 Cologne Olson
28 10/17/44 Cologne Olson
29 10/19/44 Mannheim Harmon
30 10/25/44 Harburg Pearsall
31 10/26/44 Hanover Pearsall
32 10/30/44 Merseburg Pearsall
33 11/02/44 Merseburg Pearsall
34 11/06/44 Neumunster Pearsall
35 11/09/44 Saarbrucken Pearsall
36 11/25/44 Merseburg Blair

On November 25, Blonde Bomber was hit by flak over Merseburg, and was seen to leave the formation under control.  The aircraft is reported to have crashed near Plauen, approximately 20 miles away.

Summary from MACR 10756
Pilot 2Lt Harry W. Blair POW
Copilot FO Charles S. Voyles KIA
Navigator 2Lt John D. Bante POW
Bombardier FO Kenneth G. Perry KIA
Top Turret Sgt Valentine Williams POW
Radio Operator Sgt Arthur L. Litchfield KIA
Ball Turret Sgt Leo Wolfe POW
Right Waist Sgt Jack C. Peterson POW
Tail Gunner Sgt Edward H. Todd POW