Hatfield, B. E.

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.’

 

 

 


Some photos/information provided by:

  • Hal Kiena
  • Chris French

Some information and/or images sourced from the American Air Museum database