sbratton
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Name of plane for Crew 8
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05/07/2004 09:37:36 PM
In researching my great-uncle's history with the 384th at Grafton-Underwood, I am curious if there is a resource that can tell me which B-17 he was assigned to (and a photo would be a special treat).
According to 384thbombgroup.com, he was assigned to Crew 8 (Raymond W Manning, pilot), but was moved to Crew 15 and flew on April's Fool on it's last mission over Hamburg -- July 25, 1943, Ralph J Hall, pilot).
Thanks for any pointers and/or help anyone can provide.
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dakota
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Re: [sbratton] Name of plane for Crew 8
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05/08/2004 02:44:22 AM
 The aircraft you are seeking is 42-3122 "April's Fool" B17F-25-DL
This B.17 was as you possibly know on 8thAF Mission No.76 target Hamberg, U-Boat yards and targets of opportunity. 182 aircraft despatched on this day 100 bombed targets, 15 MIA.
This B.17 was assigned to 413BS/96BG(MZ-Q) Thurleigh 17.4.43 then trans. to 545BS/284BG (JD-N) Grafton Underwood 6.7.43. MIA 25.7.43 crashed Hamberg due to enemy action. 10pow's.
A photo appears in Cliff Bishops "Fortresses of the Big Triangle First" on page 63.
Good luck with your search.
dakota
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f3red
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RE: Name of plane for Crew 8
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11/13/2004 07:49:31 AM
A good resource for such questions continues to be Ken Decker's excellent "Memories" book, now available in a new edition. There is a photo of April's Fool in this book (first ed, page 18-A).
Thanks for using 384thBombGroup.com. I am working to add as much information as I can - there seems to be lots available!
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ron_R
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RE: Name of plane for Crew 8
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11/13/2004 11:59:48 AM
this is what i fond about the a/c "aprils fool"
B17F-25DL 42-3122 JD_N 38$BG544BS
P : 2lt RJ Hall - CP= 2lt RW House - N= 2lt RO Henley B= 2lt WB Dillon E= t/sgt HJ Cocklin - RO= t/sgt SH Davids - BTG= s/sgt AR Valcour - WG= s/sgt RC Smiley - WG= s/sgt JS Parrish - TG = s/sgt BC Mcneal
chrashed by glashutte noth of hamburg lost due to flakdamage
10 POW
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avalcour
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RE: Name of plane for Crew 8
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07/29/2005 08:16:56 PM
My name is Al Valcour, my father was a member of the crew on Aprils Fool. He was shotdown and became a POW. I have a picture of Aprils Fool and some history of the crew and thier training. I will be glade to email this info to you.
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hallda
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RE: Name of plane for Crew 8
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12/29/2007 02:18:27 PM
My dad was Ralph L. Hall. He survived a direct hit while flying with the 445th. I'm just now starting research on his history in the USAF. I have a 445 history book and supplement. They have no Ralph J. Hall. He died in 1975 at 54.
I would appreciate any help you can give me on how to find out which particular missions he flew, his crewmates, etc. There is a family story that one man survived with him on the ground but I don't know his name. Another man was severely injured and they had to leave him. I have the mission log of 280 missions from 12/13/43 to 4/25/45. I have also replaced his medals that were stolen.
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shooshoobaby
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RE: Name of plane for Crew 8
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12/29/2007 06:17:10 PM
Delete
<message edited by shooshoobaby on 12/29/2007 06:20:08 PM >
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f3red
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RE: Name of plane for Crew 8
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12/29/2007 11:03:40 PM
The 384th BG (384thBombGroup.com) lists a "Ralph J Hall" as an original pilot with the group, assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 11 March 1943. He was shot down on 25 July 1943 and became a POW until cessation of hostilities. Could this be your Dad?
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