43-38292 Conga Babe Lost 1-2-45

B-17G-85-BO

July 18, 1944 Delivered to Cheyenne

July 26, 1944 to Hunter

August 7, 1944 to Dow Field

August 7, 1944 Assigned to 338^th Squadron, 96^th Bomb Group, Snetterton, as BX*D

August 8, 1944 Transferred to 4^th Squadon, 34^th Bomb Group, Mendlesham

Mission #64 September 17, 1944 43-38292 B/A 7BS Bush

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Gipson

Mission #70 September 28, 1944 43-38292 B/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #71 October 2, 1944 43-38292 B/A 4BS Notman

October 2, 1944 43-38292 B/A

On Marshalling Chart on Hardstand #14 at 2100-2200 hours.

Mission #73 October 5, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Gipson

Mission #75 October 7, 1944 43-38292 B/A 391BS Lindstrom      Major damage.

Mission #78 October 15, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Hartley

Mission #79 October 17, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Lindstrom

Mission #81 October 22, 1944 43-38292 B/A 7BS Gipson             Aborted – mechanical. Jettisoned bombs.

Mission #84 October 28, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Lindstrom

Mission #85 October 30, 1944 43-38292 B/A 7BS Hartley

Mission #86 November 4, 1944 43-38292 B/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #88 November 6, 1944 43-38292 B/A 391BS Pelszynski

Mission #89 November 9, 1944 43-38292 B/A 7BS Ralls

Mission #90 November 16, 1944 43-38292 B/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #91 November 21, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Hartley

Mission #92 November 25, 1944 43-38292 B/A 391BS Livingston               Aborted – runaway prop

Mission #95 November 30, 1944 43-38292 B/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #96 December 4, 1944 43-38292 B/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #97 December 5, 1944 43-38292 B/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #98 December 6, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Dees

Mission #99 December 11, 1944 43-38292 B/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #100 December 12, 1944 43-38292 B/A 391BS Rainey

Mission #102 December 24, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Kimmerle (apparently landed away at Station 153, 490BG)

Mission #105 December 30, 1944 43-38292 B/A 18BS Kimmerle

Mission #106 December 31, 1944 43-38292 H/A (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #107 January 2, 1945 43-38292 H/R 4BS Hofmann          MIA. See below.

Mission #107 January 2, 1945 B-17G 43-38292 H/R Missing in Action. This aircraft was last seen shortly after take-off. It never joined the formation at any time. The control tower and the Command pilots in the formation report that this aircraft never made any radio contact after take-off. Circumstances of the loss are unknown. With 4BS. Pilot: Hofmann. Missing Air Crew Report # 11566. 10 Killed in Action.

KIA HOFMANN ROGER P (P)                          1 LT        4              O-825171                11            NORTH BERGEN NJ

KIA JOHNSON WARREN L (CP)                     2 LT        4              O-775379                12            ALAMEDA CA

KIA REED RICHARD O (N)                               2 LT        4              O-2061050              11            San Bernardino CA

KIA BROWN HERMAN S (B)                           2 LT        4              O-722690                12            BROOKLYN NY

KIA BACHMAN FORD F B (MO)                    1 LT        4              O-375608                7              LEXINGTON TX

KIA REITMAN ELMER LOUIS (TT)               T/SGT    4              35684931                11            MELBOURNE NY

KIA SUMMERS JACK C (R)                             T/SGT    4              35215548                11            COLUMBUS OH

KIA SCOTT PERRY L JR (TG)                           S/SGT     4              35143723                23            CASPER WY

KIA SUMPTER NARVIE E (BT)                       S/SGT     4              17009107                18            FORT WORTH TX

KIA UNKLESBEE MERVIN F (WG)                 S/SGT     4              33743007                11            WASHINGTON DC