B-17G-45-BO 42-97296
711th SQ — N
An unidentified 711th Squadron crew with Royal Flush / photo from Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H)
B17G-45-BO, built in Boeing’s Seattle plant, delivered to the USAAF on February 16, 1944, and assigned to the 447th at Rattlesden on April 30. The origin of the name Royal Flush is unknown.
Flew more than 100 combat missions, damaged in a taxi accident on April 18, 1945, and salvaged in England.
Flight listings for 42-97296
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 |
| #69 (24-May-44) |
Berlin, Germany |
Adam, R. F. |
|
| #73 (29-May-44) |
Leipzig, Germany |
Whitely, H. W. H. |
|
| #76 (02-Jun-44) |
Wimereux, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #77 (02-Jun-44) |
Conches, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
Spare |
| #80 (04-Jun-44) |
Versailles, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #82 (06-Jun-44) |
Caen, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #84 (06-Jun-44) |
Argentan, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #85 (07-Jun-44) |
Nantes, France |
Sollars, J. A. |
slated #8052; Landed at Nuthampstead |
| #87 (11-Jun-44) |
Le Touquet – Merlimont Plage, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #88 (12-Jun-44) |
Conches, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
ABORT Lost formation |
| #89 (14-Jun-44) |
Florennes, Belgium |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #90 (15-Jun-44) |
Misburg, Germany |
Read, G. B. |
|
| #91 (18-Jun-44) |
Misburg, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #93 (20-Jun-44) |
Fallerslaben & Koningsborn, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #94 (21-Jun-44) |
Berlin, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #95 (22-Jun-44) |
Nucourt, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
spare |
| #96 (23-Jun-44) |
St. Quentin, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #97 (24-Jun-44) |
Wesermunde, Germany |
Leach, D. W. |
|
| #99 (25-Jun-44) |
Vercors, France Area #1 |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #100 (28-Jun-44) |
Denian/Prouvy, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #101 (29-Jun-44) |
Bohlen, Germany |
Phillips, L. |
AB Spare |
| #102 (06-Jul-44) |
Berck, France |
Phillips, L. |
|
| #105 (08-Jul-44) |
St.Andre De L’eure / Nogent, France |
Pattee, D. G. |
|
| #106 (11-Jul-44) |
Munich, Germany |
Gunn, F. A. |
|
| #107 (12-Jul-44) |
Munich, Germany |
Gunn, F. A. |
|
| #108 (13-Jul-44) |
Munich, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #109 (14-Jul-44) |
Area 10, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #110 (16-Jul-44) |
Stuttgart, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #111 (18-Jul-44) |
Cuxhaven, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #112 (19-Jul-44) |
Ebelsbach, Germany |
Kenny, R. M. |
AB Spare |
| #113 (20-Jul-44) |
Merseburg, Germany |
Leach, D. W. |
|
| #115 (24-Jul-44) |
St. Lo, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #116 (25-Jul-44) |
St. Lo, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #119 (02-Aug-44) |
St. Dennis, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #122 (07-Aug-44) |
Anizy le Chateau, France |
Leach, D. W. |
|
| #123 (08-Aug-44) |
Bretteville sur Laise, France |
Leach, D. W. |
|
| #124 (09-Aug-44) |
Aachen, Germany |
Leach, D. W. |
|
| #125 (11-Aug-44) |
Belfort, France |
Heinrich, D. B |
|
| #126 (13-Aug-44) |
Seine river area, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #127 (14-Aug-44) |
Mannheim, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #131 (24-Aug-44) |
Brux, Czechoslovakia |
Roberts, G. R, |
|
| #134 (27-Aug-44) |
Berlin, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #135 (30-Aug-44) |
Bremen, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #136 (01-Sep-44) |
Mainz, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #137 (03-Sep-44) |
Brest, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #138 (05-Sep-44) |
Brest, France |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #139 (08-Sep-44) |
Mainz, Germany |
Brandt, G. C. |
|
| #140 (09-Sep-44) |
Besancon, France |
Heinrich, D. B |
|
| #141 (10-Sep-44) |
Giebelstadt, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #144 (13-Sep-44) |
Stuttgart, Germany |
McKinley, R. A. |
|
| #148 (25-Sep-44) |
Ludwigshafen, Germany |
Hrabovsky, S. J. |
ABORT |
| #149 (26-Sep-44) |
Bremen, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #151 (28-Sep-44) |
Merseburg, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #154 (05-Oct-44) |
Munster, Germany |
Ungar, M. L. |
|
| #155 (06-Oct-44) |
Berlin, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #156 (07-Oct-44) |
Merseburg, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #157 (09-Oct-44) |
Gustavsburg, Germany |
Poynor, R. E. |
|
| #158 (12-Oct-44) |
Bremen, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #160 (15-Oct-44) |
Cologne, Germany |
Clawson, O. R. |
|
| #160 (15-Oct-44) |
Cologne, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #161 (17-Oct-44) |
Cologne, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #165 (25-Oct-44) |
Harburg, Germany |
Neal, A. M. |
Neal G.G.? LL just says Lt. Neal |
| #166 (26-Oct-44) |
Hanover, Germany |
Poynor, R. E. |
|
| #167 (30-Oct-44) |
Merseburg, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #169 (02-Nov-44) |
Merseburg, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #171 (05-Nov-44) |
Ludwigshafen, Germany |
McMath, R. |
|
| #173 (09-Nov-44) |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Middeleer, W. R. |
|
| #175 (16-Nov-44) |
Duren, Germany |
Rosenblum, J. M. |
Landed at Welford Park |
| #176 (21-Nov-44) |
Koblenz, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #177 (25-Nov-44) |
Merseburg, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #178 (26-Nov-44) |
Hamm, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #179 (27-Nov-44) |
Bingen, Germany |
Minker, R. L. |
slated #667 |
| #180 (30-Nov-44) |
Lutzkendorf, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #181 (04-Dec-44) |
Mainz, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
ABORT Gas leak |
| #184 (11-Dec-44) |
Koblenz, Germany |
White, W. A. |
|
| #185 (12-Dec-44) |
Darmstadt, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #186 (15-Dec-44) |
Hannover, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #187 (18-Dec-44) |
Mainz, Germany |
Herring, D. A. |
|
| #188 (24-Dec-44) |
Babenhausen, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #189 (28-Dec-44) |
Koblenz, Germany |
Jessen, H. F. |
|
| #190 (30-Dec-44) |
Mannheim, Germany |
Malone, E. G. |
|
| #191 (31-Dec-44) |
Wenzendorf, Germany |
Wolf, G. P. |
|
| #192 (01-Jan-45) |
Dollberg, Germany |
Tetreault, E. E. J. |
|
| #193 (02-Jan-45) |
Nalbach, Germany |
McMath, R. |
|
| #194 (03-Jan-45) |
Koblenz, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #195 (05-Jan-45) |
Waxweiler, Germany |
Tetreault, E. E. J. |
Failed to T/O (spare) |
| #202 (15-Jan-45) |
Augsburg, Germany |
Chandler, H. D. |
|
| #204 (20-Jan-45) |
Heilbronn, Germany |
Hammond, R. |
ABORT #4 Eng out |
| #205 (21-Jan-45) |
Mannheim, Germany |
Thompson, R. H. |
|
| #206 (29-Jan-45) |
Kassel, Germany |
Armstrong, I. V. |
Leaflets |
| #207 (01-Feb-45) |
Wesel, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #208 (03-Feb-45) |
Berlin, Germany |
Armstrong, I. V. |
|
| #209 (06-Feb-45) |
Chemnitz, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #210 (09-Feb-45) |
Weimar, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #211 (14-Feb-45) |
Wesel, Germany |
Thompson, R. H. |
|
| #212 (15-Feb-45) |
Cottbus, Germany |
Malone, E. G. |
|
| #213 (16-Feb-45) |
Wesel, Germany |
Armstrong, I. V. |
Leaflets |
| #214 (19-Feb-45) |
Wesel, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #215 (20-Feb-45) |
Nurnberg, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #217 (23-Feb-45) |
Crailsheim, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #218 (24-Feb-45) |
Bremen, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #219 (25-Feb-45) |
Neuberg, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #220 (26-Feb-45) |
Berlin, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #221 (27-Feb-45) |
Leipzig, Germany |
Bricker, R. A. |
slated #962 |
| #222 (01-Mar-45) |
Ulm, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #223 (02-Mar-45) |
Dresden, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #233 (17-Mar-45) |
Ruhland, Germany |
Kubik, K. C. |
|
| #234 (18-Mar-45) |
Berlin, Germany |
Thompson, R. H. |
|
| #238 (22-Mar-45) |
Heibert, Germany area |
Malone, E. G. |
|
| #240 (24-Mar-45) |
Varrelsbusch, Germany |
Burnette, M. A. |
|
| #241 (28-Mar-45) |
Hannover, Germany |
Malone, E. G. |
Camera |
| #242 (30-Mar-45) |
Hamburg, Germany |
Thompson, R. H. |
|
| #243 (31-Mar-45) |
Salzwedel, Germany |
Rhodes, S. R. |
|
| #244 (03-Apr-45) |
Kiel, Germany |
Eakes, L. G. |
Cameraman |
| #245 (04-Apr-45) |
Kiel, Germany |
Burnette, M. A. |
|
| #246 (05-Apr-45) |
Nuremberg, Germany |
Hayes, P. H. |
|
| #251 (11-Apr-45) |
Ingolstadt, Germany |
Burnette, M. A. |
|
| #252 (14-Apr-45) |
Royan, France |
Eakes, L. G. |
|
| #253 (15-Apr-45) |
Royan, France |
Eakes, L. G. |
|
| #254 (16-Apr-45) |
Royan, France |
Thompson, R. H. |
|
| #255 (17-Apr-45) |
Dresden, Germany |
Eakes, L. G. |
|
At 6:00 PM on April 18, 1945, Crew Chief M/Sgt Jack Berry was taxiing Royal Flush from the hangar area to its hardstand along the perimeter track. By the time Berry noticed a crane parked on the side of the track, it was too late to stop.
Although damage to Royal Flush was relatively minor, the Group stopped combat operations three days later, and 42-97296 was designated as salvage.
Combat Missions (previously compiled)
One of the 447th’s Century Ships, Royal Flush is credited with 115 combat missions. From available records, we’ve identified 109, shown below. (Compilation by Rob Kirkwood)
| No |
DATE |
TARGET |
PILOT |
COMMENTS |
| 1 |
05/24/44 |
BERLIN |
Adams |
|
| 2 |
05/29/44 |
LEIPZIG |
Whitelely |
|
| 3 |
06/02/44 |
WIMEREUX |
Brandt |
|
| 4 |
06/04/44 |
WISSANT |
Brandt |
|
| 5 |
06/06/44 |
D-DAY TARGETS NORTH FRANCE |
Brandt |
|
| 6 |
06/07/44 |
NANTES |
Solars |
|
| 7 |
06/11/44 |
LE TOUQUET MERLIMENT PLACE |
Brandt |
|
| 8 |
06/14/44 |
FLORENNES/JUZAINE A/F |
Brandt |
|
| 9 |
06/15/44 |
MISBURG |
Read |
|
| 10 |
06/20/44 |
FALLERSLABEN KONINGSBORN |
Brandt |
|
| 11 |
06/21/44 |
BERLIN |
Brandt |
|
| 12 |
06/23/44 |
ST. QUENTIN |
Brandt |
|
| 13 |
06/24/44 |
WESERMUNDE |
Leach |
|
| 14 |
06/25/44 |
AREA #1 “ZEBRA” |
Brandt |
|
| 15 |
06/28/44 |
DENIAN-PROUVY |
Brandt |
|
| 16 |
07/06/44 |
BERCK A/F |
Phillips |
|
| 17 |
07/08/44 |
ST. ANDRE DE L’EURE / NOGENT M/Y |
Pattee |
|
| 18 |
07/11/44 |
MUNICH |
Gunn |
|
| 19 |
07/12/44 |
MUNICH |
Gunn |
|
| 20 |
07/13/44 |
MUNICH |
Brandt |
|
| 21 |
07/14/44 |
AREA 10, CADILLAC |
Brandt |
|
| 22 |
07/16/44 |
STUTTGART |
Brandt |
|
| 23 |
07/18/44 |
CUXHAVEN |
Brandt |
|
| 24 |
07/20/44 |
MERSEBURG |
D. Leach |
|
| 25 |
07/24/44 |
ST. LO AREA |
Brandt |
|
| 26 |
07/25/44 |
ST. LO AREA |
Brandt |
|
| 27 |
08/02/44 |
ST. DENNIS |
Brandt |
|
| 28 |
08/07/44 |
ANIZY LE CHATEAU |
D.W. Leach |
|
| 29 |
08/08/44 |
BRETTEVILLE |
D.W. Leach |
|
| 30 |
08/09/44 |
AACHEN |
D.W. Leach |
|
| 31 |
08/11/44 |
BELFORT M/V |
Heinrich |
|
| 32 |
08/13/44 |
SEINE R. AREA(π) |
Brandt |
|
| 33 |
08/14/44 |
MANNHEIM |
Brandt |
|
| 34 |
08/24/44 |
BRUX |
Roberts |
|
| 35 |
08/28/44 |
BERLIN |
Herring |
|
| 36 |
08/31/44 |
BREMEN |
Brandt |
|
| 37 |
09/01/44 |
MAINZ |
Brandt |
|
| 38 |
09/03/44 |
BREST |
Brandt |
|
| 39 |
09/05/44 |
BREST |
Brandt |
|
| 40 |
09/08/44 |
MAINZ |
Brandt |
|
| 41 |
09/09/44 |
GRASSY |
Heinrich |
|
| 42 |
09/10/44 |
GIEBELSTADT |
Herring |
|
| 43 |
09/13/44 |
STUTTGART |
Halverson |
|
| 44 |
09/25/44 |
LUDWIGSHAFEN |
Hrabovsky |
|
| 45 |
09/26/44 |
BREMEN |
Herring |
|
| 46 |
09/27/44 |
LUDWIGSHAFEN |
Herring |
|
| 47 |
09/28/44 |
MERSEBURG |
Herring |
|
| 48 |
10/05/44 |
MUNSTER A/F |
Unger |
|
| 49 |
10/06/44 |
BERLIN |
Herring |
|
| 50 |
10/07/44 |
MERSEBERG |
Herring |
|
| 51 |
10/09/44 |
GUSTAVSBURG |
Poynor |
|
| 52 |
10/12/44 |
BREMEN |
Herring |
|
| 53 |
10/14/44 |
COLOGNE |
Herring |
|
| 54 |
10/17/44 |
COLOGNE |
Herring |
|
| 55 |
10/25/44 |
HARBURG |
Neal |
|
| 56 |
10/26/44 |
HANOVER |
Poynor |
|
| 57 |
10/30/44 |
MERSEBURG |
Hayes |
|
| 58 |
11/02/44 |
MERSEBURG |
Herring |
|
| 59 |
11/09/44 |
SAARBRUCKEN |
Middeleer |
|
| 60 |
11/16/44 |
DUREN AREA |
Rosenblum |
|
| 61 |
11/21/44 |
KOBLENZ |
Herring |
|
| 62 |
11/25/44 |
MERSEBURG |
Herring |
|
| 63 |
11/27/44 |
BINGEN |
Minker |
|
| 64 |
11/30/44 |
LUTZKENDORF |
Herring |
|
| 65 |
12/04/44 |
MAINZ |
Herring |
|
| 66 |
12/11/44 |
KOBLENZ GIESSEN |
White |
|
| 67 |
12/12/44 |
DORMSTADT |
Herring |
|
| 68 |
12/15/44 |
HANOVER |
Herring |
|
| 69 |
12/18/44 |
MAINZ |
Herring |
|
| 70 |
12/24/44 |
BABENHAUSEN |
Hayes |
|
| 71 |
12/28/44 |
KOBLENZ |
Jessen |
|
| 72 |
12/30/44 |
MANNHEIM |
Malone |
|
| 73 |
12/31/44 |
COGNAC |
Wolfe |
|
| 74 |
01/01/45 |
DOLLBERGEN |
Tretreault |
|
| 75 |
01/02/45 |
NALBACH- |
McMath |
|
| 76 |
01/03/45 |
KOBLENZ |
Hayes |
|
| 77 |
01/15/45 |
AUGSBURG |
Chandler |
|
| 78 |
01/21/45 |
MANNHEIM |
Thompson |
|
| 79 |
01/29/45 |
KASSEL |
Armstrong |
|
| 80 |
02/01/45 |
WESSEL |
Hayes |
|
| 81 |
02/03/45 |
BERLIN |
Armstrong |
|
| 82 |
02/07/45 |
CHEMNITZ |
Hayes |
|
| 83 |
02/09/45 |
WEIMAR |
Hayes |
|
| 84 |
02/14/45 |
WESEL |
Thompson |
|
| 85 |
02/15/45 |
COTTBUS |
Malone |
|
| 86 |
02/16/45 |
WESEL & RHEINE |
Armstrong |
|
| 87 |
02/18/45 |
WESEL |
Hayes |
|
| 88 |
02/20/45 |
NURNBERG |
Hayes |
|
| 89 |
02/23/45 |
CRAILSHEIM |
Hayes |
|
| 90 |
02/24/45 |
BREMEN |
Hayes |
|
| 91 |
02/25/45 |
NEUBERG |
Hayes |
|
| 92 |
02/26/45 |
BERLIN |
Hayes |
|
| 93 |
02/27/45 |
LEIPZIG |
Bricker |
|
| 94 |
03/01/45 |
ULM |
Hayes |
100th mission according to Shields (page 283) |
| 95 |
03/02/45 |
DRESDEN |
Hayes |
|
| 96 |
03/17/45 |
RUHLAND |
Kubic |
|
| 97 |
03/18/45 |
BERLIN |
Thompson |
|
| 98 |
03/22/45 |
HELBERT AREA |
Malone |
|
| 99 |
03/28/45 |
HANOVER |
Malone |
|
| 100 |
03/30/45 |
HAMBURG |
Thompson |
|
| 101 |
03/31/45 |
BRANDENBURG |
Rhodes |
|
| 102 |
04/03/45 |
KIEL |
Eakes |
|
| 103 |
04/04/45 |
KIEL |
Burnette |
|
| 104 |
04/05/45 |
NURNBERG |
Hayes |
|
| 105 |
04/11/45 |
INGLOSTADT |
Burnette |
|
| 106 |
04/14/45 |
ROYAN AREA |
Eakes |
|
| 107 |
04/15/45 |
ROYAN AREA |
Eakes |
|
| 108 |
04/16/45 |
ROYAN AREA |
Thompson |
|
| 109 |
04/17/45 |
DRESDEN |
Eakes |
|
Some photos/information provided by:
