B-17G-1-BO 42-31108
709th SQ
From the original B-17G-1-BO production run of the G model at the Seattle plant, No. 42-31108, “Devil’s Mate,” was delivered to the Army Air Force on September 20, 1943 and then sent to Harvard Army Air Base in Nebraska on October 4. It was assigned to the 709th Bomb Squadron, and part of the original transit of the group to Rattlesden on November 21, 1943.
Devil’s Mate flew just seven missions, before being downed by fighters on January 29, 1944 en route to Frankfurt. Lt. C. M. Allen and his crew were lost.
Flight listings for 42-31108
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 | Pilot | Notes |
| #1 (24-Dec-43) | Droinville, France | Harris, C, W. | |
| #2 (30-Dec-43) | Ludwigshafen, Germany | McKay, W. T. | |
| #4 (04-Jan-44) | Kiel, Germany | Hodges, J. M. | Not attack |
| #5 (05-Jan-44) | Merignac, France | McGuire, H. A. | |
| #7 (11-Jan-44) | Brunswick, Germany | McGuire, H. A. | |
| #8 (14-Jan-44) | Grand Parc, France | Kaffun, E. | 710th SQ |
| #11 (29-Jan-44) | Frankfurt, Germany | Allen, C. M. | MISSING |
See also 42-97624 Devil’s Mate II
Combat Missions (previously compiled)
| No. | Date | Target | Pilot |
| 1 | 12/24/43 | NOBALL NO. 50 DROINVILLE | Lt. Harris |
| 2 | 12/30/43 | LUDWIGSHAFEN | McKay |
| 4 | 01/04/44 | KIEL | Hodges |
| 5 | 01/05/44 | MERIGNAC | McGuire H |
| 7 | 01/11/44 | BRUNSWICK | McGuire H |
| 10 | 01/24/44 | FRANKFURT | Kruezer |
| 11 | 01/29/44 | FRANKFURT | Allen |
Some photos/information provided by:
Some information and/or images sourced from the American Air Museum database