B-17F #42-3440 "Broadway Rose" was completed by the Douglas Aircraft Company, and was delivered to Denver, Colorado on 13th June 1943. It was assigned to the 544th Bomb Squadron on 6th August 1943. During its time with the 384th Bomb Group, it was assigned to two Ground Crew Chiefs - M/sgt. Percy Tom Francis (546th BS) and M/Sgt. George Edward Golden (544th BS). It was assigned two squadron codes - SU-B until 18th November 1943, then SU-P until it's final mission, 28th May 1944.

The aircraft was to be assigned to a total of 55 missions whilst with the 384th Bomb Group, earning combat credit for a total of 28 of these missions. It was to fly it's last mission on 28th May 1944, the 384th's 117th mission, to the Junkers aircraft plant at Dessau, Germany. 

On the 18th November 1943 the aircraft was reported to have suffered damge to its right wing when it struck the top of a telephone truck on the taxiway - although blame was apportioned fully to pilot 2nd Lt. Walter L. Harvey, he does state in his notes that the truck driver had waved him through, suggesting he felt there was room to pass. Further mishap was awaiting the aircraft when it eventually returned to its hardstanding, when upon applying the brakes the tail wheel suddenly collapsed. The flight had been a simple take off and landing circuit of the airfield with just five crew onboard - as well as the pilot 2nd Lt. Harvey, there was co-pilot 2nd Lt. Leney C. Brown, and Sergeants (listed as passengers) Wilbert P. Phillips (no record available), Louis Mitchell Petro (aircraft engine mechanic) and Bennie Louis Ratto (heavy truck driver). The pilot stated in his debrief that as it was a single circuit, the undercarriage was never retracted and as such no checks had been necessary on the tailwheel aheadof landing as they already knew it was down.

After it's final mission with the 384th, the airframe was declared war weary and tansferred to the 'Azon' / 'Aphrodite' programme at RAF Knettishall on 8th August 1944. The aircraft is recorded as being salvaged on 25th May 1944 as a result of 'non-battle' damage.

Research courtesy of Keith Andrews on behalf of 384th Bombardment Group Museum

With kind thanks to the 384th Bomb Group website (384thbombgroup.com) for permission in using material from their records in the making of this story. It holds a wealth of information, documents and photographs of their activities during World War 2.