The Bennie E. Hatfield crew: 709th Squadron
Captain Bennie Hatfield Crew, put together in November 44 and became a PFF crew in January 45.
Back Row L-R
| 1stLt Gerald F ‘Jerry’ Davis | Navigator |
| 1stLt Edward J Flak | Bombardier |
| 1stLt Vernon L Johnson | Co-Pilot/Tail Gunner |
| Capt Bennie E Hatfield | Pilot |
| 1stLt Robert T Leitch | PFF Operator |
Front Row L-R
| T/Sgt Harold F Morris | Engineer/Top Turret |
| T/Sgt John S White | Radio Operator |
| S/Sgt Francis X Schuster | Waist Gunner |
| S/Sgt Ernie E O’Baker | Tail Gunner |
| S/Sgt Edmond G Rose | Ball Turret Gunner prior to PFF |
Flights with Bennie E. Hatfield listed as Pilot
These lists are NOT limited to officially credited Combat missions, and may include Aborts, returns and non-takeoff occurrences as well.”
| 447th Mission (Date) | Target | Plane Number | Notes |
| #67 (22-May-44) | Kiel, Germany | 42-97147 | |
| #68 (23-May-44) | Troyes, France | 42-102441 | |
| #103 (06-Jul-44) | Pas de Calais / Sourtrecourt, France | 42-97624 | |
| #116 (25-Jul-44) | St. Lo, France | 42-97836 | |
| #117 (27-Jul-44) | Ostend, Belgium | 42-31188 | |
| #118 (01-Aug-44) | Areas 10 & 14, France | 42-97836 | |
| #119 (02-Aug-44) | St. Dennis, France | 42-97836 | |
| #120 (04-Aug-44) | Arras – Ostend, Belgium | 42-102567 | |
| #169 (02-Nov-44) | Merseburg, Germany | 43-37795 | |
| #170 (04-Nov-44) | Hamburg, Germany | 43-37795 | |
| #171 (05-Nov-44) | Ludwigshafen, Germany | 44-6462 | |
| #173 (09-Nov-44) | Saarbrucken, Germany | 44-6003 | |
| #175 (16-Nov-44) | Duren, Germany | 42-107215 | Landed at Farmlingham |
| #182 (06-Dec-44) | Merseburg, Germany | 43-38605 | |
| #183 (10-Dec-44) | Koblenz, Germany | 43-38605 | |
| #185 (12-Dec-44) | Darmstadt, Germany | 43-38605 | |
| #186 (15-Dec-44) | Hannover, Germany | 42-97976 | |
| #195 (05-Jan-45) | Waxweiler, Germany | 42-97646 | PFF-L #646 |
| #199 (10-Jan-45) | Karlsruhe, Germany | 44-8365 | PFF #365 |
| #203 (16-Jan-45) | Dessau, Germany | 44-8261 | PFF #261 (slated 458); Landed at Sandtoft |
| #208 (03-Feb-45) | Berlin, Germany | 44-8365 | PFF-Z #365 |
| #209 (06-Feb-45) | Chemnitz, Germany | 44-8261 | PFF-X #261 |
| #211 (14-Feb-45) | Wesel, Germany | 42-97769 | PFF-Y #769 |
| #212 (15-Feb-45) | Cottbus, Germany | 44-8261 | PFF-X #261 |
| #214 (19-Feb-45) | Wesel, Germany | 44-8131 | PFF-Y #131 |
| #222 (01-Mar-45) | Ulm, Germany | 42-97936 | PFF-Y #936 |
| #224 (03-Mar-45) | Brunswick, Germany | 42-97936 | PFF-Y #936 |
| #226 (08-Mar-45) | Frankfurt, Germany | 42-97769 | PFF-Y #769 |
| #227 (09-Mar-45) | Frankfurt, Germany | 42-97769 | PFF-Y #769 |
T/Sgt Harold F Morris |
S/Sgt Francis X Schuster |
S/Sgt Ernie E O’Baker |
S/Sgt Edmond G Rose |
1stLt Gerald F ‘Jerry’ Davis |
T/Sgt John S White |
1stLt Edward J Flak |
See the growing collection of Lucky Bastard’s Club certificates from the 447th BG.
An engine of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 447th Bomb Group, 5 November 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: ‘Pictures taken at Rattlesden Nov. 5, 1944. Raid on Ludwigshaven, Nov 3, 1944. Pilot B. Eugene Hatfield. Co-pilot Vernon L. Johnson. Bombardier Edward J. Flak. Navigator Gerald F. Davis. Mickey Oper. Robert T. Leitch. Engineer/Gunner Harold F. Morris. Radio/Gunner John G. White Jr. Armorer/Gunner Francis X. Schuster. Tail Gunner Edmund Rose.’
handwritten caption indicates Hatfield; either LS Hatfield or BE Hatfield who were both Pilots with the 447th BG.
Some photos/information provided by:
- Hal Kiena
- Chris French
- Jessica Marshall Huff / family of Lt. John Schuyler Huff
Some information and/or images sourced from the American Air Museum database