379th Bombardment Group photo gallery

 42-97678 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG526BS LFJ The Birmingham Jewell 128 missions lost on Chemnitz 3rd Feb 1945 NA

Photo description: Delivered: Denver 25/1/44; Kearney 15/3/44; Grenier 2/4/44; Assigned: 526BS/379BG LF-J Kimbolton 11/4/44; 525BS; MIA Chemnitz {127m} 3/2/45 Pilot: Bill Webber, Ray Weatherbee, Carl McHenry, Bill Wells (4KIA); Jim Kiester, Tom Pickett, Harry Francis, Bill Scarffe, Bennett Howell (5POW); flak, crashed Ilvenstadt, Germany. MACR 12217. THE BIRMINGHAM JEWEL. crew on feb 3rd, 1945 : 1Lt William A Webber (pilot) KIA - was born on may 29th, 1921 2Lt James T Kiester (copilot) MIA 2Lt Thomas A Pickett (navigator) POW S/Sgt Raymond Wetherbee (nose gunner) KIA T/Sgt Carl E McHenry (radio) KIA T/Sgt Harold F Francis (engineer) MIA S/Sgt William T Walls (ball turret gunner) KIA S/Sgt William W Scarffe (waist gunner) POW Sgt Bennett Dixon Howell (tail gunner) POW - was born on oct 2nd, 1925 - passed away on jan 29th, 2013. By patootie63 42-97678 The Birmingham Jewell (379th BG 526th BS LF-J then 525th BS) 128 missions, lost on Chemnitz, 3 feb 45 with Webber crew, macr 12217

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876093 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11546-71057AC

 44-6835 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG527BS FOA Stardust with Lt Royall crew England 3rd May 1945 NA130

Photo description: Delivered Hunter 27/11/44; Grenier 5/12/44; Assigned 527BS/379BG [FO-A] Kimbolton 19/1/45; transferred 839BS/487BG Lavenham 22/5/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 12/7/45; Independence 13/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 13/12/45. A Crew Of The 379Th Bomb Group Poses Beside The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Stardust At An 8Th Air Force Base In England, 3 May 1945. The Lt Royall Crew John M Royall Jr. - Lt - Pilot Joe W Saunders - Lt – Co-Pilot Philip C Gfrerer - T/Sgt – Togglier/NG Robert D Fullmer - T/Sgt – RO/G Robert E Pitchford - T/Sgt – Eng/TTG Elmer E Sines - S/Sgt - BTG Louis Kazar Jr. - S/Sgt - TG James A Munson - F/O - Bom

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876108 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11549-C71057AC

 42-107068 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG525BS WAO Powerful Katrinka England 20th May 1944 NA118

Photo description: Delivered Tulsa 10/2/44; Gr Island 15/2/44; Grenier 5/3/44; Assigned 525BS/379BG [WA-O] Kimbolton 11/4/44; Missing in Action Toulouse 25/6/44 with Tom Butcher, Co-pilot: Joe Wells, Navigator: Franklin Vita, Bombardier: Dick Daniels, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bob Reid, Radio Operator: Rollin Bonham, Ball turret gunner: Ben Burseth, Waist gunner: Rudi Supper,Tail gunner: Ralph Crawford (9INT); flak damage, crashed Espinal-Mezquiriz, Navarra, Spain; Missing Air Crew Report 6737. POWERFUL KATRINKA.A Crew Of The 379Th Bomb Group Poses Beside A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Powerful Katrinka' At An 8Th Air Force Base In England, 20 May 1944. 42-107068 "Powerful Katrinka" (379th BG 525th BS WA-O) lost on 25 june 44, mission to Toulouse, with Butcher crew (parachuted and interned in Spain) macr 6737 (source Roger Freeman and forum.armyairforces.com)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876078 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11543-A71056AC

 42-107213 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG524BS WAF Rubble Rouser with 1Lt WH Roderick crew England 23rd Oct 1944 NA120

Photo description: Delivered Tulsa 21/3/44; Kearney 4/4/44; Grenier 14/4/44; Assigned 524BS/379BG [WA-F] Kimbolton 20/4/44; crashed on landing after the Neuss, Ger mission 23/1/45 (41+m) with the Lt Carl Hathaway Crew; crashed at Wendling A/fd hit base link trainer building; No Injuries or Airmen killed; Salvaged 2 SAD. Crew : 1Lt Walter Henry Roderick (pilot) was born on march 17th, 1916 - passed away on jan 18th, 2009 (40 missions between 28 june and 18 oct 1944) / 2Lt Richard H Vandenburg (co-pilot) / 2Lt Fred W Heath (navigator) / 2Lt Lester R Hanes (bombardier) /S/Sgt James E Anderson (radio operator) / S/Sgt Harold Stanley Paff (flight engineer) was born on oct 18th, 1917 - passed away on june 13th, 1990 / Cpl Edwin P Schmidt (ball turret gunner) / S/Sgt Walter Gritski (waist gunner) was born on april 5th, 1925 - passed away on march 31st, 1971 / Sgt George William Bold (tail gunner) was born on aug 11th, 1924 - passed away on june 19th, 1999. 2Lt Lester Raymond "Skip" Hanes (bombardier) was born on oct 17th, 1921 - passed away on sept 12th, 1959 (buried at Bloom Township Cemetery, South Webster, Ohio) 28 missions between 28 june 1944 and 16 feb 1945.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876083 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11544-B71056AC

 42-107146 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG525BS FRG Mairzy Doats England 27th July 1944 NA164

Photo description: Delivered Tulsa 6/3/44; Gr Island 12/3/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; Assigned 527BS/379BG [FO-G] Kimbolton 11/4/44; Missing in Action Gelsenkirchen 26/8/44 with Edwin Spencer, Co-pilot: Mervyn Richards, Navigator: Gerard Gallagher, Bombardier: Warren Boone, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Howard Chaffin, Radio Operator: George Lively, Waist gunner: Dick Kriederman (7 Killed in Action); Ball turret gunner: Don Stover,Tail gunner: Chas Marlatt (2RTD-rescued by ASR); en route to target #2 engine fell apart, ditched North Sea, W of Haarlem, Holl; Missing Air Crew Report 8465. MAIRZY DOATS. A Crew Of The 379Th Bomb Group Poses Beside The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 'Mairzy Doats' At An 8Th Air Force Base In England, 27 July 1944.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876195 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11566-A71062AC

 42-32024 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG524BS WAL Swamp Fire England 14th Mar 1944 NA138

 42-32024 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG524BS WAL Swamp Fire first heavy bomber to reach 100 missions 01

Photo description: Delivered Cheyenne 15/1/44; Gr Island 30/1/44; Assigned 524BS/379BG [WA-L] Kimbolton 20/2/44; first in group to 100m to Gelsenkirchen 1/11/44, with Bruce Mills, Co-pilot: Carl Shedlock, Navigator: John McCray, Bombardier: Jim Whitney, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Delmer Menger, Radio Operator: Joe Cooper, Ball turret gunner: Jim Boston, Waist gunner: Lucas Conner,Tail gunner: Bill Beddard;, dec W/W 11/12/44; transferred Alconbury 1/6/45; Returned to the USA 121 BU Bradley 12/7/45; 4185 BU Independence 14/7/45; 4136 BU Tinker 16/12/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 29/12/45. SWAMP FIRE. A Crew Of The 379Th Bomb Group Poses Beside The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 'Swamp Fire' At An 8Th Air Force Base In England, 14 March 1944. First heavy bomber to reach 100 missions without an abort

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876130 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11553-71059AC

 42-97128 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG527BS FOM Screwball Express England 15th Jun 1944 NA140

Photo description: Delivered Cheyenne 29/1/44; Alexandra 15/2/44; Presque Is 4/3/44; Assigned: 457BG Glatton 6/3/44; Transferred: 384BG Grafton Underwood 12/3/44; 527BS/379BG [FO-M] Kimbolton 28/12/44; MIA Ingolstadt 5/4/45 Pilot: Joe Hourtal, Martin Kane (2KIA); Ed Robertson, Carlos Whitehead, Dick Rowan, John Roberts, Sam Reeves, Don Millar (6RTD); crashed Belgium. heim, Germany. SCREWBALL EXPRESS.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876135 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11554-A71059AC

 42-29876 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG525BS FRB Battlin Bobbie Kimbolton England 1943 NA136

Photo description: Delivered Cheyenne 28/2/43; Gore 4/3/43; Souix City 18/3/43; Kearney 9/4/43; Dow Fd 15/4/43; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-B] Kimbolton 23/4/43; Missing in Action Nantes 16/9/43 with Elton Hoyt, Co-pilot: Norman Schroeder, Navigator: Bill Cook, Bombardier: Lou Glickman, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Thomas, Radio Operator: Herb Dulberg, Ball turret gunner: Russ Eldridge, Waist gunner: Bill Miller, Waist gunner: Harry Minor,Tail gunner: Ed Shaffer (10 evaded capture); flak, crashed Redon, 37 miles NW of Nantes, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 978. BATTLIN’ BOBBIE.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876125 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11552-B71058AC

 42-30720 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG526BS LFO Nine Yanks and a Rebel at Kimbolton 13th May 1944 NA1710

Photo description: 42-30720 / Nine Yanks and a Rebel Delivered Dallas 17/7/43; Gore 18/7/43; Dallas 21/7/43; Geiger 8/8/43; Gr Isle 10/8/43; Assigned 367BS/306BG Thurleigh; transferred 526BS/379BG [LF-O] Kimbolton 19/10/43; transferred 15AF 2/5/44; Ret UK AFSC 7/6/44; Returned to the USA 4136 BU 3/7/44; 610 BU Eglin 23/2/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 5/1/46. NINE YANKS AND A REBEL. 42-30720 was "Nine Yanks and a Rebel" which was assigned to the 526th BS of the 379th BG with the fuselage code of LF-O. She survived the war and was last assigned to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204842836 Local ID: 342-FH-3A05763-71532AC

 42-30720 B-17G Fortress 8AF 379BG526BS LFO Nine Yanks and a Rebel at Kimbolton 13th May 1944 NA594

Photo description: 42-30720 / Nine Yanks and a Rebel Delivered Dallas 17/7/43; Gore 18/7/43; Dallas 21/7/43; Geiger 8/8/43; Gr Isle 10/8/43; Assigned 367BS/306BG Thurleigh; transferred 526BS/379BG [LF-O] Kimbolton 19/10/43; transferred 15AF 2/5/44; Ret UK AFSC 7/6/44; Returned to the USA 4136 BU 3/7/44; 610 BU Eglin 23/2/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 5/1/46. NINE YANKS AND A REBEL. 42-30720 was "Nine Yanks and a Rebel" which was assigned to the 526th BS of the 379th BG with the fuselage code of LF-O. She survived the war and was last assigned to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204876764 Local ID: 342-FH-3A11755-71679AC

USAAF 8th Air Force emblem

379th Bombardment Group

379th Bombardment Group

Constituted as 379th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Oct 1942. Activated on 3 Nov 1942. Moved to England, with the air echelon flying B-17's via the North Atlantic route in Apr 1943 and the ground echelon crossing by ship in May. Began operations with Eighth AF on 19 May, and received a DUC for operations over Europe, May 1943-Jul 1944. Engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets such as industries, oil refineries, storage plants, submarine pens, airfields, and communications centers in Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Norway, and Poland. Specific targets included a chemical plant in Ludwigshafen, an aircraft assembly plant in Brunswick, ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt and Leipzig, synthetic oil refineries at Merseburg and Gelsenkirchen, marshalling yards at Hamm and Reims, and airfields in Mesnil au Val and Berlin. Received another DUC for flying without fighter protection into central Germany to attack vital aircraft factories on 11 Jan 1944. On several occasions attacked interdictory targets and operated in support of ground forces. Bombed V-weapon sites, airfields, radar stations, and other installations before the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944; bombed defended positions just ahead of the Allied landings on 6 Jun; and struck airfields, rail choke points, and gun emplacements during the campaign that followed. Bombed enemy positions to assist ground troops at St Lo during the breakthrough, 24-25 Jul 1944. Attacked German communications and fortifications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Bombed bridges and viaducts in France and Germany to aid the Allied assault across the Rhine, Feb-Mar 1945. Moved to French Morocco in Jun 1945. Inactivated on 25 Jul 1945.

Squadrons. 524th: 1942-1945. 525th: 1942-1945. 526th: 1942-1945. 527th: 1942-1945.

Stations. Geiger Field, Wash, 3 Nov 1942; Wendover Field, Utah, 19 Nov 1942; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, 3 Feb-Apr 1943; Kimbolton, England, 21 May 1943-12 Jun 1945; Casablanca, French Morocco, 17 Jun-25 Jul 1945.

Commanders. Col Maurice A Preston, 26 Nov 1942; Col Lewis E Lyle, 11 Oct 1944; Lt Col Lloyd C Mason, 6 May 1945; Lt Col Horace E Frink, 23 May-Jun 1945.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Continental Europe, 29 May 1943-31 Jul 1944; Germany, 11 Jan 1944.

Insigne Shield: Per bend azure and gules, on a lightning bolt per bend throughout, or, seven stars per bend throughout, or, seven stars per bend argent; all between a dart, with three stars arched and an atomic symbol encircled by nine stars, all of the last. Motto: Diligentia Et Accuratio - Precision and Accuracy. (Approved 23 Aug 1958.)

B-17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air Forces

This is a list of United States Army Air Forces B-17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air Forces, including variants and other historical information. Heavy bomber training organizations primarily under II Bomber Command in the United States and non-combat units are not included.

The B-17 Flying Fortress was perhaps the most well-known American heavy bomber of the Second World War (1939/41-1945). It achieved a fame far beyond that of its more-numerous contemporary, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The first pre-production Y1B-17 Fortress was delivered to the 2d Bombardment Group, Langley Field, Virginia on 11 January 1936; the first production B-17B was delivered on 29 March 1939, also to the 2nd Bombardment Group. A total of 12,677 production Fortresses was built before production came to an end. In August 1944, the Boeing B-17 equipped no less than 33 overseas combat groups.

The last Boeing-built B-17G was delivered to the USAAF on 13 April 1945. Following the end of World War II, the Flying Fortress was rapidly withdrawn from USAAF service, being replaced by the B-29 Superfortress. Literally thousands of Fortresses used in combat in Europe by Eighth or Fifteenth Air Force or in the United States by II Bomber Command training units were flown to various disposal units. A few were sold to private owners, but the vast majority were cut up for scrap.

Aircraft in the final early 1945 production manufacturing block by Boeing or Lockheed-Vega (Block 110) were converted to the B-17H search and rescue model, being modified to carry a lifeboat under the fuselage. Postwar B-17s were used by the Military Air Transport Service Air Rescue Service, in 1948 being re-designated SB-17G. Some RB-17Gs were also used by the MATS Air Photographic and Charting Service (APCS). A few SB-17s were used by the Air Rescue Service in Japan during the Korean War (1950–1953), but all of the postwar B-17s were retired from MATS by the mid-1950s, becoming Air Proving Ground Command QB-17 Drones or DB-17 Drone directors. The drones were operated primarily by the 3205th Drone Group, Eglin AFB, Florida.

The last operational USAF B-17 mission was on 6 August 1959, when DB-17P 44-83684 (Originally a Douglas/Long Beach B-17G-90-DL) directed QB-17G 44-83717 which was expended as a target for an AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missile fired from an F-101 Voodoo, near Holloman AFB, New Mexico. 44-83684 arrived at Davis-Monthan AFB for storage a few days later. The few DB-17P remaining operational drone controllers remaining on Air Force rolls afterward were transferred to various museums in 1960.

Combat Organizations

Fifth Air Force

Prior to the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on Sunday, 7 December 1941, the 19th Bombardment Group had 35 B-17s in the Philippines. By 14 December, only 14 remained. Beginning on 17 December, the surviving B-17s based there began to be evacuated south to Australia, and were then sent to Singosari Airfield, Java in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia) on 30 December 1941.

The 7th Bomb Group was originally scheduled to reinforce the Philippines in December 1941 from Fort Douglas, Utah, and the ground echelon had already left by ship from San Francisco. The unexpected Pearl Harbor Attack led to the ground echelon being returned to United States and the air echelon remained at Hamilton Field, California, flying antisubmarine patrols over the West Coast along the Pacific Ocean. 9th Bomb Squadron deployed to the Southwest Pacific in mid-December, traveling the long way around by flying east via Florida, Brazil, across the South Atlantic Ocean to central Africa then to the Middle East. The unit continued around the northern coasts of the Indian Ocean via Arabia to Karachi, India via Singapore to Singosari Airfield on Java, joining the 19th BG on 14 January.

Both units would remain on Java until March 1942, taking part in the brave, but ultimately futile, attempts to defend the Philippines on the Bataan peninsula and the island fortress of Corregidor, along with the Netherlands colony in Southeast Asia of the Dutch East Indies. The B-17s were never present in large enough numbers to make any real difference, however, to the course of the campaign. The 19th BG withdrew to Australia with the B-17 survivors of the 9th Bomb Squadron, which was re-equipped with Liberator B-24s in India as part of the Tenth Air Force. Nine of the survivors were eventually sent to the Middle East in July to defend Egypt against the advancing German Afrika Corps in North Africa.

The 19th BG received some replacement aircraft and was joined by the 43d Bomb Group in Australia in March. The two units took part in the campaign on Papua New Guinea, before the 19th BG was moved back to the United States at the end of 1942, transferring its assets to the 43d. The 43d BG flew combat missions with B-17s until August 1943, when they were replaced by B-24s.

7th Bombardment Group

Received B-17Bs, 1939 at Hamilton Field, California (USAAC)
Deployed to Netherlands East Indies, Jan–Mar 1942 with 7 B-17Es
  • 9th Bombardment Squadron operated from Java until withdrawn in Mar 1942.
Squadron reassigned to Tenth Air Force in India.

19th Bombardment Group

Received B-17Bs, 1939 at March Field, California (USAAC)
Deployed to Clark Field, Philippines Oct 1941 with B-17Cs
Operated from Philippines, Australia, Netherlands East Indies, Oct 1941 – Dec 1942
  • 14th Bombardment Squadron (Del Monte Field)*
Designated as Non-Operational, Mar 1942
  • 28th Bombardment Squadron (Clark Field)*
  • 30th Bombardment Squadron (Clark Field)*
  • 93d Bombardment Squadron (Del Monte Field)*
  • 40th Reconnaissance Squadron (Formed Mar 1942 in Australia)**
Redesignated: 435th Bombardment Squadron (Apr–Dec 1942)
Returned to United States as B-17 OTU, B-17s to 43d BG Dec 1942

43d Bombardment Group

Received B-17Bs at Langley Field, Virginia, Jan 1941 (USAAC)
Flew Coastal patrols, Jan 1941 – Feb 1942 under First Air Force (USAAC)
Deployed to Australia, Mar 1942 with B-17Es
Operated from Australia, New Guinea, Mar 1942 – Aug 1943
Converted to B-24 Liberators, Aug 1943
  • 63d Bombardment Squadron
  • 64th Bombardment Squadron
  • 65th Bombardment Squadron
  • 403d Bombardment Squadron

Note* Personnel of squadron not required for flight operations transferred to V Interceptor Command, 24 December 1941. Fought as infantry during Battle of Bataan.

Note** Formed with 7th BG B-17E aircraft and personnel that arrived in Australia, Mar 1942 and 10 Sierra Bombardment Group B-17Es, arrived in Australia c 20 January.

Sixth Air Force

About thirty B-17s (B/D/E/F) served in the Caribbean and Antilles Air Commands during World War II, the first (B-17D 40-3058) arriving in Panama Canal Zone during March 1941. However, usually less ten were operational at any one time. They were mostly R- (Restricted from combat) RB-17Bs and Ds stationed at Río Hato Field, but some were at Albrook Field. Later E and F models no longer suitable for training were obtained as replacement aircraft. Some were based at Waller Field, Trinidad. B-17s were used for long-range antisubmarine patrols over the Caribbean, South Atlantic and Eastern Pacific approaches to the Panama Canal, and for long-distance transport flights to Ecuador, Peru, British Guiana and Brazil. In addition to the Sixth Air Force B-17s, F-9 photo-mapping Fortresses of the 1st Photographic Group were frequently in the command's AOR, as well as in South America on aerial survey and mapping missions.

6th Bombardment Group

Río Hato Field, Panama, 1941 – May 1942
Reassigned to Galapagos Islands, May 1942
  • 3d Bombardment Squadron

9th Bombardment Group

Waller Field, Trinidad, 1941 – May 1942
Reassigned to Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics, May 1942
  • 430th Bombardment Squadron

40th Bombardment Group

Albrook Field, Canal Zone, 1941 – Jul 1943
Reassigned for B-29 Transition Training, Jul 1943
  • 44th Bombardment Squadron

Seventh/Thirteenth Air Force

The B-17 was to achieve its first taste of combat during the Pearl Harbor Attack, when the 5th Bombardment Group based at Hickam Field, Hawaii had 12 B-17Ds parked on the ramp. Five of these B-17s were destroyed, and eight were damaged in the attack. On 7 December, The 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group, with four B-17Cs and two new B-17Es was inbound from Hamilton Field, California to Hickam on their way to the Philippines to reinforce the American forces there. They arrived at Hickam at the height of the attack. One was destroyed, three others badly damaged. Remaining in Hawaii after the attack, in June 1942, B-17s from the 5th and 11th Bomb Groups were used in the Battle of Midway, but with little effectiveness.

Both the 5th and 11th Bombardment Groups joined the Thirteenth Air Force during 1942 and took part in the American campaign in the south west Pacific, fighting during the campaigns in the Solomon Islands (including the battle for Guadalcanal) and the return campaign to the Philippines. By the middle of 1943 both units had replaced their B-17s with B-24 Liberators

5th Bombardment Group

Hawaii, Solomon Islands, Nov 1941 – Aug 1943
Converted to B-24 Liberators, Aug 1943
  • 23d Bombardment Squadron
  • 31st Bombardment Squadron
  • 72d Bombardment Squadron
  • 394th Bombardment Squadron

11th Bombardment Group

Hawaii, New Hebrides, Nov 1941 – Aug 1943
Converted to B-24 Liberators, Aug 1943
  • 26th Bombardment Squadron
  • 42d Bombardment Squadron
  • 98th Bombardment Squadron
  • 431st Bombardment Squadron

Eighth Air Force

Was primary operator of B-17 Flying Fortresses in overseas combat theaters during World War II. The B-17 may have first seen combat in American markings in the Philippines, but it would earn its enduring fame with the Eighth Air Force, based in England and fighting over Occupied Europe. The story of the B-17 would become the story of the VIII Bomber Command (later Eighth Air Force) strategic heavy bombardment campaign of the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during World War II

Initially equipped with B-17Es in 1942, the Eighth Air Force received B-17Fs in Jan 1943 and B-17Gs in Nov 1943. Flying Fortresses were employed in long-range strategic bombardment operations over Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany, August 1942 – May 1945 attacking enemy military, transportation and industrial targets as part of the United States' air offensive against Nazi Germany.

34th Bombardment Group

Coastal patrol B-17s, Jan 1941 – May 1942 under First Air Force
Deployed to ETO May 1944 with B-24s; transitioned to B-17s Sep 1944
RAF Mendlesham (AAF-156), Sep 1944 – Aug 1945 -Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 4th Bombardment Squadron
  • 7th Bombardment Squadron
  • 18th Bombardment Squadron
  • 391st Bombardment Squadron

91st Bombardment Group

RAF Bassingbourn (AAF-121), Oct 1942 – Jun 1945 - Inactivated Nov 1945
  • 322d Bombardment Squadron
  • 323d Bombardment Squadron
  • 324th Bombardment Squadron
  • 401st Bombardment Squadron

92d Bombardment Group

RAF Bovingdon (AAF-112), Aug 1942 – Jan 1943; RAF Alconbury (AAF-102), Jan–Sep 1943; RAF Podington (AAF-109), Sep 1943 – Jun 1945
To: Air Transport Command, Jun 1945, Absorbed into 306th BG, Feb 1946
  • 325th Bombardment Squadron
  • 326th Bombardment Squadron
  • 327th Bombardment Squadron (May–Jul 1943 YB-40 Testing)
  • 407th Bombardment Squadron

94th Bombardment Group

RAF Bury St. Edmunds (AAF-468), May 1943 – Dec 1945 - Inactivated Dec 1945
  • 331st Bombardment Squadron
  • 332d Bombardment Squadron
  • 333d Bombardment Squadron
  • 410th Bombardment Squadron

95th Bombardment Group

RAF Horham (AAF-119), May 1943 – Jun 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 334th Bombardment Squadron
  • 335th Bombardment Squadron
  • 336th Bombardment Squadron
  • 412th Bombardment Squadron

96th Bombardment Group

RAF Snetterton Heath (AAF-138), Apr 1943 – Dec 1945 Inactivated Dec 1945
  • 337th Bombardment Squadron
  • 338th Bombardment Squadron
  • 339th Bombardment Squadron
  • 413th Bombardment Squadron

100th Bombardment Group

RAF Thorpe Abbotts (AAF-139), Jun 1943 – Dec 1945 Inactivated Dec 1945
  • 349th Bombardment Squadron
  • 350th Bombardment Squadron
  • 351st Bombardment Squadron
  • 418th Bombardment Squadron

303d Bombardment Group

RAF Molesworth (AAF-107), Sep 1942 – May 1945 Inactivated Jul 1945
  • 358th Bombardment Squadron
  • 359th Bombardment Squadron
  • 360th Bombardment Squadron
  • 427th Bombardment Squadron

305th Bombardment Group

RAF Chelveston (AAF-105), Sep 1942 – Jul 1945 Inactivated Dec 1946
  • 364th Bombardment Squadron
  • 365th Bombardment Squadron
  • 366th Bombardment Squadron
  • 422d Bombardment Squadron

306th Bombardment Group

RAF Thurleigh (AAF-111), Sep 1942 – Dec 1945 Inactivated Dec 1946
  • 367th Bombardment Squadron
  • 368th Bombardment Squadron
  • 369th Bombardment Squadron
  • 423d Bombardment Squadron

351st Bombardment Group

RAF Polebrook (AAF-110), May 1943 – Jun 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 508th Bombardment Squadron
  • 509th Bombardment Squadron
  • 510th Bombardment Squadron
  • 511th Bombardment Squadron

379th Bombardment Group

RAF Kimbolton (AAF-117), May 1943 – Jun 1945 Inactivated Jul 1945
  • 524th Bombardment Squadron
  • 525th Bombardment Squadron
  • 526th Bombardment Squadron
  • 527th Bombardment Squadron

381st Bombardment Group

RAF Ridgewell (AAF-167), Jun 1943 – Jun 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 532d Bombardment Squadron
  • 533d Bombardment Squadron
  • 534th Bombardment Squadron
  • 535th Bombardment Squadron

384th Bombardment Group

RAF Grafton Underwood (AAF-106), Jun 1943 – Jun 1945 Inactivated Feb 1946
  • 544th Bombardment Squadron
  • 545th Bombardment Squadron
  • 546th Bombardment Squadron
  • 547th Bombardment Squadron

385th Bombardment Group

RAF Great Ashfield (AAF-155), Jun 1943 – Aug 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 548th Bombardment Squadron
  • 549th Bombardment Squadron
  • 550th Bombardment Squadron
  • 551st Bombardment Squadron

388th Bombardment Group

RAF Knettishall (AAF-136), Jun 1943 – Aug 1945 Inactivated Sep 1945
  • 560th Bombardment Squadron
  • 561st Bombardment Squadron
  • 562d Bombardment Squadron
  • 563d Bombardment Squadron

390th Bombardment Group

RAF Framlingham (AAF-153), Jul 1943 – Aug 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 568th Bombardment Squadron
  • 569th Bombardment Squadron
  • 570th Bombardment Squadron
  • 571st Bombardment Squadron

398th Bombardment Group

RAF Nuthampstead (AAF-131), Apr 1944 – May 1945 Inactivated Sep 1945
  • 600th Bombardment Squadron
  • 601st Bombardment Squadron
  • 602d Bombardment Squadron
  • 603d Bombardment Squadron

401st Bombardment Group

RAF Deenethorpe (AAF-128), Nov 1943 – May 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 612th Bombardment Squadron
  • 613th Bombardment Squadron
  • 614th Bombardment Squadron
  • 615th Bombardment Squadron

447th Bombardment Group

RAF Rattlesden (AAF-126), Nov 1943 – Aug 1945 Inactivated Nov 1945
  • 708th Bombardment Squadron
  • 709th Bombardment Squadron
  • 710th Bombardment Squadron
  • 711th Bombardment Squadron

452d Bombardment Group

RAF Deopham Green (AAF-142), Jan 1944 – Aug 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 728th Bombardment Squadron
  • 729th Bombardment Squadron
  • 730th Bombardment Squadron
  • 731st Bombardment Squadron

457th Bombardment Group

RAF Glatton (AAF-130), Jan 1944 – Jun 1945 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 748th Bombardment Squadron
  • 749th Bombardment Squadron
  • 750th Bombardment Squadron
  • 751st Bombardment Squadron

482d Bombardment Group

Aug 1943 – May 1945 RAF Alconbury (AAF-102)
Attached to: VIII Composite Command, Feb 1944 – Jan 1945
Composite group with 2 squadrons of B-17s and one of B-24s
Conducted Pathfinder missions using H2X radar Inactivated Sep 1945
  • 812th Bombardment Squadron (B-17)
  • 813th Bombardment Squadron (B-17)
  • 814th Bombardment Squadron (B-24)

486th Bombardment Group

RAF Sudbury (AAF-158), Aug 1944 – Aug 1945
Deployed to ETO, April 1944 with B-24s; Converted to B-17s, Aug 1944 Inactivated Nov 1945
  • 832d Bombardment Squadron
  • 833d Bombardment Squadron
  • 834th Bombardment Squadron
  • 835th Bombardment Squadron

487th Bombardment Group

RAF Lavenham (AAF-137), Jul 1944 – Aug 1945
Deployed to ETO, April 1944 with B-24s; Converted to B-17s, Jul 1944 Inactivated Nov 1945
  • 836th Bombardment Squadron
  • 837th Bombardment Squadron
  • 838th Bombardment Squadron
  • 839th Bombardment Squadron

490th Bombardment Group

Aug 1944 – Aug 1945
RAF Eye (AAF-134), Aug 1944 – Aug 1945
Deployed to ETO, April 1944 with B-24s; Converted to B-17s, Aug 1944 Inactivated Nov 1945
  • 848th Bombardment Squadron
  • 849th Bombardment Squadron
  • 850th Bombardment Squadron
  • 851st Bombardment Squadron

493d Bombardment Group

RAF Wormingford (AAF-159); RAF Debach (AAF-152), May 1944 – Aug 1945
Deployed to ETO, April 1944 with B-24s; Converted to B-17s, May 1944 Inactivated Aug 1945
  • 860th Bombardment Squadron
  • 861st Bombardment Squadron
  • 862d Bombardment Squadron
  • 863d Bombardment Squadron

Twelfth/Fifteenth Air Force

Although less important than the B-24 Liberator in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), six B-17 Groups did serve in North Africa and Italy, two of them serving from 1942 until the end of the war. Two B-17E groups (97th and 301st) deployed to Morocco and Algeria from VIII Bomber Command in England during November 1942. These were two of the most experienced B-17 units, and their departure from England slowed down the development of the Eighth Air Force's offensive. Later, two newly trained II Bomber Command groups (2d, 99th) deployed from the United States. The four B-17E groups formed the heavy bomber component of XII Bomber Command (and Northwest African Strategic Air Force).

In North Africa Flying Fortresses were used against German and Italian military targets in Algeria and Tunisia, and to attack German shipping in the Mediterranean. Flying Fortresses took part in the bombardment of the Italian stronghold of Pantelleria, the invasion of Sicily and the invasion of Italy.

Once the Allies were firmly established on the Italian mainland, the B-17 squadrons moved Italy, joining the Fifteenth Air Force in November 1943 and were upgraded to B-17Gs. They were joined by two more groups (463d, 483d) in the spring of 1944, bringing the total up to six. At their peak there were 669 B-17 crews stationed in the Mediterranean theater. From bases around Foggia, the Fortresses engaged in long-range strategic bombardment of enemy military, transportation and industrial targets in the Balkans, Italy, Austria, France and southern Germany as part of the United States' air offensive against Nazi Germany. B-17s were also employed in tactical missions, supporting Fifth Army's campaign in Italy itself, most famously bombarding the monastery at Monte Cassino, and also took part in the invasion of southern France.

2d Bombardment Group

Coastal patrol B-17Bs, Jul 1939 Jan 1941 – Oct 1942 under First Air Force
Deployed to North Africa with B-17Fs, Apr 1943
Transferred to Amendola Airfield, Italy (MTO), Oct 1943 – Feb 1946 (B-17G) Inactivated Feb 1946
  • 20th Bombardment Squadron
  • 49th Bombardment Squadron
  • 96th Bombardment Squadron
  • 429th Bombardment Squadron

97th Bombardment Group

Deployed to ETO, RAF Polebrook (B-3/AAF-110), Jun–Nov 1942
Deployed to North Africa with B-17Fs, Nov 1942
Transferred to Amendola Airfield, Italy (MTO), Oct 1943 – Oct 1945 (B-17G) Inactivated Oct 1945
  • 340th Bombardment Squadron
  • 341st Bombardment Squadron
  • 342d Bombardment Squadron
  • 414th Bombardment Squadron

99th Bombardment Group

Deployed to North Africa with B-17Fs, Feb 1943
Transferred to Tortorella Airfield, Italy (MTO), Oct 1943 – Nov 1945 (B-17G) Inactivated Nov 1945
  • 346th Bombardment Squadron
  • 347th Bombardment Squadron
  • 348th Bombardment Squadron
  • 416th Bombardment Squadron

301st Bombardment Group

Deployed to ETO, RAF Chelveston (B-6/AAF-105), Aug–Nov 1942
Deployed to North Africa with B-17Fs, Nov 1942
Transferred to Southern Italy (MTO), Oct 1943 – Jul 1945 (B-17G)
Assigned to Second Air Force for B-29 training, Aug 1945 Inactivated Oct 1945
  • 32d Bombardment Squadron
  • 352d Bombardment Squadron
  • 353d Bombardment Squadron
  • 419th Bombardment Squadron

463d Bombardment Group

Deployed to Celone Airfield, Italy (MTO), Mar 1944 – Sep 1945 (B-17G) Inactivated Oct 1945
  • 772d Bombardment Squadron
  • 773d Bombardment Squadron
  • 774th Bombardment Squadron
  • 775th Bombardment Squadron

483d Bombardment Group

Deployed to Sterparone Airfield, Italy (MTO), Mar 1944 – Sep 1945 (B-17G) Inactivated Sep 1945
  • 815th Bombardment Squadron
  • 816th Bombardment Squadron
  • 817th Bombardment Squadron
  • 840th Bombardment Squadron

US Army, Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF)/Ninth Air Force

USAMEAF was a provisional organization formed at RAF Lydda, BritishPalestine on 1 July 1942. It consisted of nine B-17Es and nineteen B-24 Liberators formerly of the 9th Bombardment and 88th Reconnaissance Squadrons, 7th Bombardment Group which arrived from Allahabad Airfield, India to aid British Forces in Egypt after General Erwin Rommel advanced the Afrika Corps toward the Suez Canal. The B-17s transferred to the Middle East were older aircraft that had escaped from the Philippines or were sent from the United States in January 1942 that had fought in the Netherlands East Indies with Fifth Air Force. They would be organized into the 1st Provisional Bombardment Group on 20 July. It was the core of what would eventually become the 376th Bombardment Group, Ninth Air Force, which was transferred to RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt on 12 November.

B-17s would be flown on combat missions from RAF Lyddia and RAF El Fayid, Egypt, attacking the harbor at Tobruk, Libya seven times with day and night raids throughout July, continually raiding the harbor shipping and disrupting Axis storage areas. It is believed that the Fortresses were sent to the secret Gura Army Air Base, Eritrea (Project 19) 15°1′13.764″N 39°02′7.62″E in August for depot-level maintenance, which was not possible at the British bases and had which been deferred since the beginning of the war in December.

The B-17Es would not engaged in combat again until mid-October, when raids on Tobruk began again on 12 October, and attacking a coastal road near Bardia, Libya on 20 October after a mission against Tobruk was canceled due to cloud cover. They were also engaged in attacking harbor facilities and Axis naval targets on Crete and Benghazi, Libya through which Afrika Korps supplies were landed. The B-17s made a final raid against installations at Sousse, Tunisia before being taken out of front-line service with the arrival of newer B-24 and B-25 units from the United States.

United States Army Forces in the Middle East (USAFIME) was a unified United States Army command during World War II established in August, 1942 by order of General George C. Marshall, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, to oversee the Egypt-Libya campaign.

The small USAFIME was headquartered in Cairo—which simplified liaison with its much larger British counterpart, Middle East Command. USAFIME had command over all United States Army forces in North Africa and the Middle East, except the Army Air Forces Ferrying Command. It was composed of:

Iran-Iraq Service Command, later renamed the Persian Gulf Service Command (PGSC) and then finally the Persian Gulf Command; this was the successor to the original US Iranian Mission and was responsible for US troops manning the Persian Corridor. It was originally commanded by Col. Don G. Shingler, who was replaced late in 1942 by Brig. Gen. Donald H. Connolly.

The North African Mission.

U.S. Army Forces in Liberia, established from June 1942 to build the Robertsfield Airfield and the Freeport of Monrovia, came under control of U.S. Army Forces in the Middle East on 12 September 1943, but continued as a semi-autonomous command for the entire war.

The first commander of the USAFIME was Maj. Gen. Russell L. Maxwell. He was replaced in November 1942 by Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), and in January 1943 by Maj. Gen. Lewis H. Brereton.

Maxwell was an army general because at the time he was appointed it was expected that the Americans would contribute ground troops to assist in the Allied Western Desert campaign. Initially the only US combat forces which were allocated to the Mediterranean Theatre of War were USAAF squadrons. As plans for Operation Torch began to take shape the it became clear that the Americans would not contribute ground troops to the Western Desert Campaign. This was reflected in Maxwell's replacement by Andrews. One of Andrew's first acts was to establish the Ninth Air Force to replace the United States Army Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF). The non-air force administrative functions of USAFIME were taken over by the North African Theater of Operations United States Army (NATOUSA) when the Egypt-Libya campaign ended on 12 February 1943.

7th Bombardment Group

9th Bombardment Squadron operated from Java until withdrawn in Mar 1942.
Squadron reassigned to Tenth Air Force in India.

Specifications (Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress)

Data from The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft[37]

General characteristics

Crew: 10: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier/nose gunner, flight engineer/top turret gunner, radio operator, waist gunners (2), ball turret gunner, tail gunner[218]
Length: 74 ft 4 in (22.66 m)
Wingspan: 103 ft 9 in (31.62 m)
Height: 19 ft 1 in (5.82 m)
Wing area: 1,420 sq ft (131.92 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 0018 / NACA 0010
Empty weight: 36,135 lb (16,391 kg)
Gross weight: 54,000 lb (24,500 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 65,500 lb (29,700 kg)
Aspect ratio: 7.57
Powerplant: 4 × Wright R-1820-97 "Cyclone" turbosupercharged radial engines, 1,200 hp (895 kW) each
Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton-Standard constant-speed propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 287 mph (462 km/h, 249 kn)
Cruise speed: 182 mph (293 km/h, 158 kn)
Range: 2,000 mi (3,219 km, 1,738 nmi) with 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) bombload
Ferry range: 3,750 mi (6,040 km, 3,260 nmi)
Service ceiling: 35,600 ft (10,850 m)
Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
Wing loading: 38.0 lb/sq ft (185.7 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.089 hp/lb (150 W/kg)

Armament

Guns:
13 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in 9 positions (2 in the Bendix chin turret, 2 on nose cheeks, 2 staggered waist guns, 2 in upper Sperry turret, 2 in Sperry ball turret in belly, 2 in the tail and one firing upwards from radio compartment behind bomb bay)
Bombs:
Short range missions; Internal load only (less than 400 mi): 8,000 lb (3,600 kg)
Long range missions; Internal load only (≈800 mi): 4,500 lb (2,000 kg)
Max Internal and External load: 17,600 lb (7,800 kg)

Avionics

not known

 Flight Simulators
 

   IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' Blitz - has no 3D model

   IL-2 Great Battles Series IL-2 - has no 3D model

   DCS World - has no 3D model

 

 

 Thorpe Abbotts, England Map

 

    CBI Notes

  1. Hess & Winchester Wings of Fame No. 6, 1997, p. 41.
  2. Bowers 1989, pp. 291–292.
  3. Hess & Winchester Wings of Fame No. 6, 1997, pp. 41–42.
  4. GE Turbocharger Manual 'Section XIV' for its B-17-applicable turbochargers, pgs. 113–140
  5. Caidin, Martin (1968). Flying Forts: The B-17 in World War II. New York: Bantam Books. pp. 106–108. ISBN 9780553287806.
  6. 'Fortress I for RAF'.
  7. few moreites/Sierras_B-17C_crash_site.htm
  8. Ethell, Jeff (January 1985). 'Our Still-Flying Fortresses'. Popular Mechanics. p. 124.
  9. Lyman, Troy (May 12, 2003). 'B17 — Queen of the Sky — The B-17F'. b17queenofthesky.com. Troy Lyman's B-17 Flying Fortress Site. Retrieved June 24, 2014. '...factories were trying to fine a more effective solution to the B-17's lack of forward firepower. The solution was the Bendex Chin Turret, originally used on the YB-40 'gunship' project. While the project proved unsuccessful, the chin turret was found to be a major improvement to the B-17's forward firepower. It was fitted to the last eighty-six B-17Fs to come off the Douglas assembly line, starting with block B-17F-75-DL.
  10. 'B-17F-70-DL: 42-3483 to 42-3503 | Production-block | B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress – The Queen Of The Skies' (in German). Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  11. '42-3492 / Paper Doll | B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress – The Queen Of The Skies' (in German). Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  12. Graphic of usage and stowage positions for B-17G chin turret control yoke
  13. B-17G Flying Fortress, History of War.org, accessed December 20, 2009.
  14. Cheyenne turret Archived August 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  15. Doyle, David (2021). B-17 Flying Fortress, Vol. 2: Boeing's B-17E through B-17H in World War II. Atglen: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. p. 86. ISBN 9780764361296.
  16. 'Boeing Fortress', Royal Air Force Bomber Command 60th Anniversary
  17. SD for 'Special Duties'.
  18. 'BCCard Notes3'.
  19. Caidin, Flying Forts
  20. PB-1Gs.

    Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Notes

  1. The Air Corps News Letter, however, notes in its edition of 1 January 1938 (ACNL Vol. XXI, No. 1, p. 7 Archived 3 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine) an attempt by the Langley Field correspondent to apply the appellation "Jeep" to the B-17, which it objected to as "not befitting" the aircraft and adding, "Why not let the term 'Flying Fortress' suffice?"
  2. On board the aircraft were pilots Major Ployer P. Hill (his first time flying the 299) and Lieutenant Donald Putt (the primary army pilot for the previous evaluation flights), Leslie Tower, Boeing mechanic C.W. Benton, and Pratt and Whitney representative Henry Igo. Putt, Benton, and Igo escaped with burns, and Hill and Tower were pulled from the wreckage alive, but later died from their injuries.
  3. The idea of a pilot's checklist spread to other crew members, other air corps aircraft types, and eventually throughout the aviation world. Life published the lengthy B-17 checklist in its 24 August 1942 issue.[31]
  4. Quote: "At the peak of production, Boeing was rolling out as many as 363 B-17s a month, averaging between 14 and 16 Forts a day, the most incredible production rate for large aircraft in aviation history." This production rate was, however, surpassed by that of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator.
  5. During the crash investigation of Boeing 307 Stratoliner NX19901, it was found that two B-17s had already spun from lack of directional stability. British combat experience with the B-17 was also showing the need for a tail gunner. Boeing was not willing to add a turret because they didn't want to disrupt the clean aerodynamics. The inadequate directional stability exposed by two spin incidents and a crash, brought about a redesigned vertical stabilizer and dorsal fin. A compromise for the tail turret resulted in handheld tail guns. The combination created a successful design. Not only were defensive needs solved, but the improved lateral stability made precision high altitude bombing possible.[57][58]
  6. This is a commonly misreported error. The Rex was 725 miles offshore on her last position report as the Y1B-17s were taxiing for takeoff from Mitchel Field, four hours before interception.
  7. Most sources say that the turret was introduced on the B-17F-75-DL, but photographs indicate that the F-70-DL also had the turret

    Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Citations

  1. 'The Boeing Logbook: 1933–1938.' Archived 8 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine Boeing.
  2. Yenne 2006, p. 8.
  3. Angelucci and Matricardi 1988, p. 46.
  4. Parker 2013, pp. 35, 40–48.
  5. Herman 2012, pp. 292–299, 305, 333.
  6. Carey 1998, p. 4.
  7. Parker 2013, p. 41.
  8. Yenne 2005, p. 46.
  9. Tate 1998, p. 164.
  10. Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 74.
  11. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, p. 41.
  12. Bowers 1989, pp. 291–92.
  13. Salecker 2001, p. 46.
  14. Freeman 1993, p. 8.
  15. 'Army's Biggest Bomber Has Rotating Nose.' Popular Science Monthly, August 1937.
  16. 'Giant Bomber Flies Four Miles Per Minute.' Popular Mechanics, October 1935.
  17. 'Army Bomber Flies 2,300 Miles In 9 Hours, or 252 Miles an Hour; New All-Metal Monoplane Sets a World Record on Non-Stop Flight From Seattle to Dayton, Ohio.' The New York Times, 21 August 1935.
  18. Zamzow 2008, p. 33.
  19. Tate 1998, p. 165.
  20. Zamzow 2008, p. 34.
  21. 'Model 299 Crash, 15 November 1935.' Archived 16 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  22. Schamel, John. 'How the Pilot's Checklist Came About.' Flight Service History.
  23. Salecker 2001, p. 48.
  24. Francillon 1979, pp. 201–02.
  25. Bowers 1976, p. 37.
  26. Erickson, Mark St. John 'Langley B-17s paved way for independent Air Force' Daily Press, 1 March 2017.
  27. Meilinger, Phillip S. 'When the Fortress Went Down.' Air Force Magazine (Air Force Association), Volume 87, Issue 10, October 2004.
  28. Bowers 1976, p. 12.
  29. Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 75.
  30. Schamel, John 'How the Pilot's Checklist Came About.' Flight Service History.
  31. 'B-17 checklist.' Life, 24 August 1942.
  32. Zamzow 2008, p. 47.
  33. Maurer 1987, pp. 406–08.
  34. 'Intercepting The 'Rex'.' Archived 13 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the United States Air Force.
  35. 'Boeing Y1B-17.' Archived 16 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the United States Air Force.
  36. 'World War II – General Electric Turbosupercharges'. aviationshoppe.com.
  37. Donald 1997, p. 155.
  38. Bowers 1989, pp. 293–94.
  39. Wixley 1998, p. 23.
  40. Caidin, Martin (1968). Flying Forts: The B-17 in World War II. New York: Bantam Books. pp. 80, 95–99. ISBN 9780553287806.
  41. 'Boeing B-17B.' Archived 14 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the United States Air Force.
  42. Ethell, Jeff. 'Our Still-Flying Fortress.' Popular Mechanics, Volume 162, Issue 1, January 1985, pp. 124–29.
  43. Serling 1992, p. 55.
  44. Yenne 2006, p. 6.
  45. Herman, Arthur. Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II, pp. 292–99, 305, Random House, New York, 2012. ISBN 978-1-4000-6964-4.
  46. Parker 2013, pp. 35, 40–48, 59, 74.
  47. Borth 1945, pp. 70–71, 83, 92, 256, 268–69.
  48. Bowers 1989, p. 292.
  49. Bowers 1989, p. 294.
  50. Bowers 1989, p. 295.
  51. Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 76.
  52. Bowers 1989, p. 297.
  53. Bowers 1989, p. 299.
  54. Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 78.
  55. Yenne, Bill, 'B-17 at War': p. 16; Zenith Press; 2006: ISBN 978-0-7603-2522-3
  56. 'Flying Fortress (B-17G): A Survey of the Hard-hitting American Heavy Weight.' Flight, 4 May 1944, pp. 473–76.
  57. 'Boeing Model 307 Stratoliner'. Archives - This Day in Aviation.
  58. 'B-17E page'. B-17 Queen of the Sky.
  59. B-17 Erection and Maintenance Manual 01-20EE-2
  60. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, pp. 56–57.
  61. Francillon 1982, pp. 213–15.
  62. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, p. 66.
  63. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, pp. 62–63, 65.
  64. Francillon 1982, p. 212.
  65. Bowers 1989, pp. 307–08.
  66. Lyman, Troy (12 May 2003). 'B17 – Queen of the Sky – The B-17F'. b17queenofthesky.com. Troy Lyman's B-17 Flying Fortress Site.
  67. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, pp. 63–64.
  68. Francillon 1982, p. 211.
  69. Bowers 1989, pp. 286–87.
  70. Bowers 1989, pp. 303–04.
  71. Ramsey, Winston G. 'The V-Weapons'. London: After the Battle, Number 6, 1974, pp. 20–21.
  72. Edmonds, Walter. They Fought With They Had. 1951, pp. 1–314.[page needed]
  73. Kenney, George C. General Kenney Reports. New York: Duell, Sloan and Pierce, 1949.
  74. Cravens, Wesley Army Air Forces in WW II. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, 1956.
  75. Baugher, Joe. 'B-17 Squadron Assignments.' Encyclopedia of American Aircraft, Last revised 9 August 1999.
  76. 'Handley Page Halifax'. RAF.mod.uk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008.
  77. Andrews and Morgan 1988, p. 340.
  78. Yenne 2006, p. 23.
  79. Chant 1996, pp. 61–62.
  80. Chorlton Aeroplane January 2013, p. 38.
  81. Richards 1995, pp. 122–23.
  82. Garzke & Dulin, pp. 159–60.
  83. Weigley 1977, p. 338.
  84. Stitt 2010, p. 1.
  85. Wynn 1998, p. 93.
  86. 'Obituaries: John Hereford'. The Daily Telegraph. 13 December 2007. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007.
  87. 'Second-Generation Norden Bombsight Vault'. National Park Service.
  88. 'Blue Ox.' National Geographic Magazine, Vol. LXXXIII, Number One, January 1943, p. 7, Ad(i).
  89. Peterson, Paul. Ludington Daily News, 16 April 1994, p. 1.
  90. Baugher, Joe. 'Boeing B-17B Fortress.' Encyclopedia of American Aircraft, 22 May 2010.
  91. 'Aviation Photography: B-17 Flying Fortress.' Northstar Gallery, 16 January 2007.
  92. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, pp. 59–60.
  93. 'AAF Enters Combat from England.' Archived 4 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the United States Air Force.
  94. Arthur B. Gerguson, 'Chapter 18: Rouen-Sotteville, No. 1, 17 August 1942', in Craven W; Cate, J (eds.), The Army Air Forces in WWII, vol. I: Plans & Early Operations, January 1939 to August 1942, pp. 662–63
  95. Bowman 2002, p. 7.
  96. Weigley 1977, p. 339.
  97. November 1998, Brian Todd Carey (12 June 2006). 'How Allied Air Attacks Evolved During World War II'. HistoryNet.
  98. Bowman 2002, p. 8.
  99. Hess 1994, pp. 59–60.
  100. Hess 1994, pp. 65–67.
  101. Bowman 2002, p. 22.
  102. Price, Alfred. 'Against Regensburg and Schweinfurt.' Air Force Magazine, Volume 76, Issue 9, September 1993.
  103. Hess 1994, p. 64.
  104. Weigley 1977, p. 341.
  105. Hess 1994, p. 67.
  106. Hess 1994, pp. 69–71.
  107. Caldwell and Muller 2007, pp. 151–52.
  108. Weigley 1977, pp. 340–41.
  109. Weigley 1977, p. 342.
  110. Caldwell and Muller 2007, p. 162.
  111. McKillop, Jack. 'Combat Chronology of the U.S. Army Air Forces: April 1945.' Archived 7 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine usaaf.net, 17 January 2007.
  112. Arakaki and Kuborn 1991, pp. 73–75, 158–59.
  113. Arakaki and Kuborn 1991, pp. 73, 158–59.
  114. Shores, Cull and Izawa 1992, pp. 55–56.
  115. Shores, Cull and Izawa 1992, p. 163.
  116. Shores, Cull and Izawa 1992, pp. 166–67.
  117. Salecker 2001, pp. 64–71.
  118. Sakai et al. 1996, pp. 68–72.
  119. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, p. 96.
  120. Parshall and Tulley 2005, pp. 180, 329.
  121. Gillison, pp. 692–93
  122. Spinetta, Lawrence (November 2007). 'Battle of the Bismarck Sea'. World War II. ISSN 0898-4204.
  123. Watson, pp. 144–45
  124. Gamble, pp. 313
  125. 'Anniversary talks: Battle of the Bismarck Sea, 2–4 March 1943 [Australian War Memorial]'. Archived from the original on 24 August 2003.
  126. Frisbee 1990
  127. Morison 1950, p. 61
  128. Kenney, George C. General Kenney Reports. New York: Duall, Sloan and Pearce, 1949.
  129. Jacobson 1945[page needed]
  130. 'The B-17H 'Flying Dutchman''. www.pbyrescue.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017.
  131. A-1 lifeboat
  132. 'History:B-17 Flying Fortress.' Archived 7 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine Boeing.
  133. 'Formation.' b17flyingfortress, 8 April 2007.
  134. 'B-17 Pilot Training Manual (Formation).' Headquarters, AAF, Office of Flying Safety.
  135. 'Why Use Colourful Camouflage in World War 2? – Assembly Ships'. Youtube. Military Aviation History. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021.
  136. 'Polka Dot Warriors - Vintage Wings of Canada'. www.vintagewings.ca. Vintage Wings. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019.
  137. 'Excerpts from B-17 Pilot Training Manual (The Story of the B-17).' Headquarters, AAF, Office of Flying Safety.
  138. Browne, Robert W. 'The Rugged Fortress: Life-Saving B-17 Remembered.' Flight Journal: WW II Bombers, Winter 2001.
  139. Johnsen, Frederick A. 'The Making of an Iconic Bomber.' Air Force Magazine, Volume 89, Issue 10, 2006.
  140. Hoffman, Wally. 'We Get Our Feet Wet.' Magweb.com, 2006.
  141. Caidin 1960, p. 86.
  142. Wright, James G. 'Durable B-17s hard for pilots to forget: Love for plane outweighs bitter memories of war' (requires subscription). Colorado Springs Gazette, 8 June 1994.
  143. Benitez, Nannette. 'World War II War Production – Why Were the B-17 and B-24 Produced in Parallel?' Archived 5 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine Defense Technical Information Center, 1997.
  144. '43-38172.' 398th.org.
  145. Bowers 1976, p. 177.
  146. Schollars, Todd J. 'German wonder weapons: degraded production and effectiveness.' Archived 19 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine Air Force Journal of Logistics, Fall 2003.
  147. Thomas, Geoffrey J., and Ketley, Barry, 'KG 200 – The Luftwaffe's Most Secret Unit', Hikoku Publications Ltd., Crowborough, East Sussex, UK, 2003, ISBN 1-902109-33-3, pp. 57–58, 66.
  148. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, p. 89.
  149. Donald 1995, p. 23.
  150. Wixley 1998, p. 30.
  151. Richardson, Wilbur (26 May 2012). Aluminum Castles: WWII from a gunner's view. Cantemos. pp. 29–30. We also reported seeing a B17 flying at a safe distance from the formation. This mystery fortress shadowed the formation inbound from the Rhine river and we were informed others had seen it back across Belgium on the way out. A fortress manned by the enemy created an unsettling feeling in all of us.
  152. Gordon 2008, p. 479.
  153. 'Swiss Morane'. WW2 in color.
  154. 'The Surprising Story of Japan's B-17 Fleet'.
  155. Bowers 1989, p. 314.
  156. Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 80.
  157. Bowers 1989, p. 290.
  158. Bowers 1989, pp. 310–11.
  159. Knaack 1988, p. 465.
  160. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, p. 86.
  161. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, pp. 89–90.
  162. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, p. 91.
  163. 'Sperry's RPV Background.' Flight International, 17 April 1976, p. 1006.
  164. 'Warbird Registry – Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress'. warbirdregistry.org.
  165. 'Boeing B-17F Memphis Belle.' Archived 8 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the United States Air Force.
  166. Swanborough and Bowers 1976, pp. 66–67.
  167. Roberts 2000, p. 661.
  168. 'US Coast Guard Aviation History: Boeing PB-1G 'Flying Fortress'.' United States Coast Guard/
  169. Pocock, Chris. The Black Bats: CIA Spy Flights Over China From Taiwan, 1951–1969. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History, 2010. ISBN 978-0-7643-3513-6.
  170. 'The Boeing B-17s.' Archived 28 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine utdallas.edu.
  171. 'B-17 Flying Fortress to join CF - the Collings Foundation'.
  172. 'OY Reg - OY-DFA'.
  173. Zamzow 2008, pp. 42–43.
  174. Hess and Winchester Wings of Fame 1997, pp. 46–47.
  175. Correll, John T. ' Rendezvous With the 'Rex'.' Air Force Magazine, Volume 91. Issue 12, December 2008, p. 56.
  176. Levine, Alan J. (1992). The Strategic Bombing of Germany, 1940–1945. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger. pp. 14–15. ISBN 0-275-94319-4.
  177. Birdsall 1968, p. 3.
  178. 'B-17: Best Airplane.' B-17 Flying Fortress: Queen of the Skies.
  179. 'WWII's B-17 All American: Separating Fact and Fiction'. Warbirds News. 27 June 2013. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016.
  180. Nose art photos clearly shows 'Chief Seattle', but often incorrectly reported as 'Chief of Seattle'
  181. B-17E SN# 41-2656 at PacificWrecks.com or MACR report at Fold3.org
  182. '414th Squadron Planes and Crews circa 1943'. reddog1944.com.
  183. 'Trivia'. IMDb. 28 May 2013.
  184. Preuss, Andreas (17 May 2018). 'Memphis Belle bomber newly restored and unveiled at US Air Force museum'. CNN.
  185. Choate, Trish. 'Going from lucky in love to lucky to be alive in 1943'. timesrecordnews.com.
  186. Williams, Kenneth Daniel. 'The Saga of Murder, Inc.' World War II – Prisoners of War – Stalag Luft I.
  187. Hayes, Clint (23 February 2014). ''Old 666'/'Lucy' – A History'. Zeamer's Eager Beavers.
  188. 'LT COL Robert ROSENTHAL'. 100th Bomber Group.
  189. Powell, Hickman. 'Another Triumph for Yankee 'Know-How''. Popular Science.
  190. Kulick, Harold W. (May 1945). 'Crash Landing'. Flying. Vol. 36, no. 5. pp. 39–42.
  191. Parke, Sarah. 'The Swoose comes home to roost at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force'. National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012.
  192. 'A Higher Call: autographed by JG 27 Bf-109 ace Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown of the B-17 'Ye Olde Pub''. www.valorstudios.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019.
  193. Air Classics magazine, July 2004, pp. 66–74
  194. 'Biography of Nancy Harkness Love.' Archived 31 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the United States Air Force.
  195. Eylanbekov, Zaur. 'Airpower Classics: B-17 Flying Fortress.' Air Force Magazine, February 2006.
  196. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: The Quiet Hero.' Air Force Magazine, Volume 68, Issue 5, May 1998.
  197. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: 'I Am the Captain of My Soul''. Air Force Magazine Volume 68, Issue 5, May 1985.
  198. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: 'Valor at its Highest''. Air Force Magazine Volume 72, Issue 6, June 1989.
  199. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: A Rather Special Award.' Air Force Magazine Volume 73, Issue 8, August 1990.
  200. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: One Turning and One Burning.' Air Force Magazine Volume 82, Issue 6, June 1999.
  201. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: A Point of Honor.' Air Force Magazine Volume 68, Issue 8, August 1985.
  202. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: A Tale of Two Texans.' Air Force Magazine Volume 69, Issue 3, March 1986.
  203. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: Gauntlet of Fire'. Air Force Magazine Volume 68, Issue 8, August 1985.
  204. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: Crisis in the Cockpit'. Air Force Magazine Volume 67, Issue 1, January 1984.
  205. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: Rabaul on a Wing and a Prayer'. Air Force Magazine Volume 73, Issue 7, July 1990.
  206. 'MOH citation of Sarnoski, Joseph R.' Archived 23 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine Home of Heroes.
  207. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: First of the Few'. Air Force Magazine Volume 67, Issue 4, April 1984.
  208. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: The Right Touch'. Air Force Magazine Volume 81, Issue 9, September 1998.
  209. Half a Wing, Three Engines and a Prayer. Chapter 25, 'Jeffrey Bounce Jr.'
  210. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: Courage and Conviction'. Air Force Magazine Volume 73, Issue 10, October 1990.
  211. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: Battle Over Bougainville'. Air Force Magazine Volume 68, Issue 12, December 1985.
  212. Holley, Joe (28 November 2008). 'WWII gunner 'Babe' Broyhill dies: Set record for downing Nazi jets'. The Washington Post.
  213. 'Major General Allison C. Brooks'. United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 10 February 2004.
  214. Freeman 1993, pp. 497–500.
  215. Frisbee, John L. 'Valor: Colin Kelly (He was a Hero in Legend and in Fact).' Air Force Magazine Volume 77, Issue 6, June 1994.
  216. '100th Bomb Group Foundation – Personnel – LT COL Robert ROSENTHAL'. 100thbg.com. 100th Bomb Group Foundation.
  217. Miller, G. Wayne. 'Bruce at 86: A different kind of man.' Archived 14 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Providence Journal, 2006.
  218. 'B-17 Flying Fortress Crew Positions.' Archived 2 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine Arizona Wing CAF Museum.
  219. 'Twelve O'Clock High (1949).' Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
  220. 'The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944).'Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
  221. Philo, Tom. 'Eighth Air force Combat Losses.' Archived 31 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine taphilo.com.
  222. Vargas, John. 'Question How many bomber flight crews completed their 25 missions to go home?' Archived 3 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine allexperts.com, 9 November 2010.
  223. McCormick, Ken. Images of War: The Artist's Vision of World War II. London: Orion Press, 1990. ISBN 978-0-517-57065-4.
  224. Mitgang, Herbert. 'Books of The Times; How Both Sides' Artists Saw World War II' (review). The New York Times, 3 November 1990.

    Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Bibliography:

  • Andrews, C.F and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.
  • Angelucci, Enzo and Paolo Matricardi. Combat Aircraft of World War II, 1940–1941. Westoning, Bedfordshire, UK: Military Press, 1988. ISBN 978-0-517-64179-8.
  • Arakaki, Leatrice R. and John R. Kuborn. 7 December 1941: The Air Force Story. Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii: Pacific Air Forces, Office of History, 1991. ISBN 978-0-16-050430-3.
  • Birdsall, Steve. The B-24 Liberator. New York: Arco Publishing Company, Inc., 1968. ISBN 0-668-01695-7.
  • Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft Since 1916. London: Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.
  • Borth, Christy. Masters of Mass Production. Indianapolis, Indiana: Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1945. OCLC 940290450.
  • Bowers, Peter M. Fortress in the Sky, Granada Hills, California: Sentry Books, 1976. ISBN 0-913194-04-2.
  • Bowman, Martin W. Castles in the Air: The Story of the B-17 Flying Fortress Crews of the U.S. 8th Air Force. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books, 2000, ISBN 1-57488-320-8.
  • Bowman, Martin W. B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Eighth Air Force, Volume 2. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-434-5.
  • Caidin, Martin. Black Thursday. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1960. ISBN 0-553-26729-9.
  • Caldwell, Donald and Richard Muller. The Luftwaffe over Germany: Defense of the Reich. London: Greenhill Books Publications, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85367-712-0.
  • 'Carey, Brian Todd. ''Operation Pointblank: Evolution of Allied Air Doctrine During World War II''. historynet.com, 12 June 2006. archived version 19 October 2014.'
  • Chant, Christopher. Warplanes of the 20th century. London: Tiger Books International, 1996. ISBN 1-85501-807-1.
  • Cora, Paul B. Diamondbacks Over Europe: B-17s of the 99th Bomb Group, Part Two. Air Enthusiast 111, May/June 2004, pp. 66–73. ISSN 0143-5450
  • 'Craven, Wesley Frank, James Lea Cate and Richard L. Watson, eds. ''The Battle of the Bismarck Sea'', pp. 129–62; The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan, August 1942 to July 1944 (The Army Air Forces in World War II, Volume IV. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1950.'
  • Donald, David, ed. American Warplanes of World War Two. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-874023-72-7.
  • 'Donald, David. ''Boeing Model 299 (B-17 Flying Fortress).'' The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.'
  • Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-370-00050-1.
  • Francillon, René J. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
  • Freeman, Roger A. B-17 Fortress at War. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1977. ISBN 0-684-14872-2.
  • 'Gardner, Brian (1984). ''Flight Refuelling... The Wartime Story''. Air Enthusiast. No. 25. pp. 34–43, 80. ISSN 0143-5450.'
  • Gamble, Bruce. Fortress Rabaul: The Battle for the Southwest Pacific, January 1942 – April 1943. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Zenith Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0-7603-2350-2.
  • Garzke, William H.; Dulin, Robert O. (1985). Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-101-0.
  • Gillison, Douglas. Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series 3 – Air, Volume 1. Canberra, Australia: Australian War Memorial, 1962. OCLC 2000369.
  • Gordon, Yefim. Soviet Air Power in World War 2. Hinckley, Lancashire, UK: Midland, Ian Allan Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-85780-304-4.
  • Herman, Arthur. Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II New York: Random House, 2012. ISBN 978-1-4000-6964-4.
  • Hess, William N. B-17 Flying Fortress: Combat and Development History of the Flying Fortress. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbook International, 1994. ISBN 0-87938-881-1.
  • Hess, William N. B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the MTO. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing Limited, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-580-5.
  • Hess, William N. Big Bombers of WWII. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Lowe & B. Hould, 1998. ISBN 0-681-07570-8.
  • 'Hess, William N. and Jim Winchester. ''Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress: Queen of the Skies''. Wings of Fame. Volume 6, 1997, pp. 38–103. London: Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-874023-93-X. ISSN 1361-2034.'
  • Hoffman, Wally and Philippe Rouyer. La guerre à 30 000 pieds[Available only in French]. Louviers, France: Ysec Editions, 2008. ISBN 978-2-84673-109-6.
  • Jacobson, Capt. Richard S., ed. Moresby to Manila Via Troop Carrier: True Story of 54th Troop Carrier Wing, the Third Tactical Arm of the U.S. Army, Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific. Sydney, Australia: Angus and Robertson, 1945. OCLC 220194939
  • 'Johnsen, Frederick A. ''The Making of an Iconic Bomber.'' Archived 19 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Air Force Magazine, Volume 89, Issue 10, October 2006. Retrieved: 14 September 2012.'
  • Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume II: Post-World War II Bombers, 1945–1973. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, 1988. ISBN 0-16-002260-6.
  • 'Ledet, Michel (April 2002). ''Des avions alliés aux couleurs japonais'' [Allied Aircraft in Japanese Colors]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (109): 17–21. ISSN 1243-8650.'
  • 'Ledet, Michel (May 2002). ''Des avions alliés aux couleurs japonais''. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (110): 16–23. ISSN 1243-8650.'
  • Listemann, Phil H. Allied Wings No. 7, Boeing Fortress Mk. I. www.raf-in-combat.com, 2009. First edition. ISBN 978-2-9532544-2-6.
  • Maurer, Maurer. Aviation in the U.S. Army, 1919–1939. Washington, D.C.: United States Air Force Historical Research Center, Office of Air Force History, 1987, pp. 406–08. ISBN 0-912799-38-2.
  • Morison, Samuel Eliot (1950). Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. 6. Boston: Little Brown and Company. ISBN 0-7858-1307-1. OCLC 10310299.
  • Parker, Dana T. Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II. Cypress, California, Dana Parker Enterprises, 2013. ISBN 978-0-9897906-0-4.
  • Parshall, Jonathon and Anthony Tulley. Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books, 2005. ISBN 1-57488-923-0.
  • Ramsey, Winston G. The V-Weapons. London, United Kingdom: After The Battle, Number 6, 1974.
  • Roberts, Michael D. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons: Volume 2: The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and VP(AM) Squadrons. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, 2000.
  • Sakai, Saburo with Martin Caidin and Fred Saito. Samurai!. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1996. ISBN 978-0-671-56310-3.
  • Salecker, Gene Eric. Fortress Against The Sun: The B-17 Flying Fortress in the Pacific. Conshohocken, Pennsylvania: Combined Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-58097-049-4.
  • Serling, Robert J. Legend & Legacy: The Story of Boeing and its People. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. ISBN 0-312-05890-X.
  • Shores, Christopher, Brian Cull and Yasuho Izawa. Bloody Shambles: Volume One: The Drift to War to The Fall of Singapore. London: Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-50-X.
  • Stitt, Robert M. Boeing B-17 Fortress in RAF Coastal Command Service. Sandomierz, Poland: STRATUS sp.j., 2010 (second edition 2019). ISBN 978-83-65281-54-8.
  • Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam, 1963. OCLC 846651845
  • Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London: Putnam, Second edition, 1976. ISBN 0-370-10054-9.
  • Tate, Dr. James P. The Army and its Air Corps: Army Policy toward Aviation 1919–1941. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Air University Press, 1998. ISBN 1-4289-1257-6. Retrieved: 1 August 2008.
  • 'Trescott, Jacqueline. ''Smithsonian Panel Backs Transfer of Famed B-17 Bomber.'' The Washington Post Volume 130, Issue 333, 3 November 2007.'
  • Weigley, Russell Frank. The American Way of War: A History of United States Military Strategy and Policy. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1977. ISBN 0-253-28029-X.
  • 'Wixley, Ken. ''Boeing's Battle Wagon: The B-17 Flying Fortress – An Outline History''. Air Enthusiast, No. 78, November/December 1998, pp. 20–33. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.'
  • Wynn, Kenneth G. U-boat Operations of the Second World War: Career Histories, U511-UIT25. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1998. ISBN 1-55750-862-3.
  • Yenne, Bill. B-17 at War. St. Paul, Minnesota: Zenith Imprint, 2006. ISBN 0-7603-2522-7.
  • Yenne, Bill. The Story of the Boeing Company. St. Paul, Minnesota: Zenith Imprint, 2005. ISBN 0-7603-2333-X.
  • Zamzow, S. L. (2012). Ambassador of American Airpower: Major General Robert Olds. Biblioscholar. ISBN 978-1-28834434-5.; originally issued as an academic thesis OCLC 405724149.
  • Baugher, J Boeing B-17 Fortress, 1999, American Military Aircraft
  • Baugher, Joe (May 13, 2007), 'Boeing B-17G Fortress', American Military Aircraft
  • Baugher, Joe, 'Boeing B-17 Fortress', American Military Aircraft, archived from the original on January 29, 2010
  • Boeing Model 299, Boeing Y1B-17, Boeing Y1B-17A/B-17A, Boeing B-17B Fortress, B-17C, Fortress , Boeing B-17D Fortress, Boeing B-17F Fortress, BQ-7 accessed on January 12, 2005, B-17E, Fortress IIA, Vega XB-38, Boeing YB-40, Boeing C-108, BQ-7, F-9 Photographic Reconnaissance
  • 'B-17G Variants factsheet'. USAF Museum. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008.
  • Model 299 Crash, Army press release, Intercepting the Rex, Y1B-17, Y1B-17A, B-17B, B-17C, B-17D, B-17D 'The Swoose', B-17F, B-17G, B-17E, XB-38, XB-40
  • Freeman, Roger. The Mighty Eighth War Manual (1991) pp. 148–153. ISBN 0-87938-513-8
  • Bishop, Cliff T. Fortresses of the Big Triangle First (1986) p. 51, ISBN 1-869987-00-4
  • Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft Since 1916. London: Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.
  • Hess, William N. Big Bombers of WWII. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Lowe & B. Hould, 1998. ISBN 0-681-07570-8.
  • Hess, William N. and Jim Winchester. 'Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress: Queen of the Skies' Wings Of Fame. Volume 6, 1997, pp. 38–103. London: Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-874023-93-X. ISSN 1361-2034.
  • Hickey, Lawrence J. (with Birdsall, Steve; Jonas, Madison D.; Rogers, Edwards M.; and Tagaya, Osamu). Ken’s Men Against the Empire: The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II (Volume I: Prewar to October 1943, The B-17 Era). International Historical Research Associates, 2016. ISBN 978-0-9135-1107-7.
  • Jablonski, Edward. Flying Fortress. New York: Doubleday, 1965. ISBN 0-385-03855-0.
  • Johnson, Frederick A. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (Warbird Tech Series, Volume 7). Stillwater, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, 2001. ISBN 1-58007-052-3.
  • Listemann, Phil H. Allied Wings No. 7 Boeing Fortress Mk. I. www.raf-in-combat.com, 2009. First edition. ISBN 978-2-9532544-2-6.
  • Lloyd, Alwyn T. B-17 Flying Fortress in Detail and Scale. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, 1986. ISBN 0-8168-5029-1.
  • O'Leary, Michael. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (Osprey Production Line to Frontline 2). Botley, Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-85532-814-3.
  • B-17E 41-2595 History and Restoration
  • Andrade, John M. . U.S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, First edition 1979. ISBN 0 904597 22 9.
  • Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London: Putnam, Second edition 1976. ISBN 0-370-10054-9.
  • Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam, 1963

    Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress further reading:

  • Birdsall, Steve. The B-17 Flying Fortress. Dallas, Texas: Morgan Aviation Books, 1965. OCLC 752618401.
  • Calegari, Robert (December 1976). "A vendre: B-17G" [For Sale: B-17G]. Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (85): 34–36. ISSN 0757-4169.
  • Davis, Larry. B-17 in Action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1984. ISBN 0-89747-152-0.
  • Jablonski, Edward. Flying Fortress. New York: Doubleday, 1965. ISBN 0-385-03855-0.
  • Johnsen, Frederick A. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Stillwater, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, 2001. ISBN 1-58007-052-3.
  • Gansz, David M. B-17 Production - Boeing Aircraft: 4 January 1944 - 26 February 1944 B-17G-35 to G-45 42-31932 - 42-32116 and 42-97058 - 42-97407. New Jersey: First Mountain Belgians, 2020. ISBN 978-1734380606.
  • Gansz, David M. B-17 Production - Boeing Aircraft: 26 February 1944 - 25 April 1944 B-17G-50 to G-60 42-102379 - 42-102978. New Jersey: First Mountain Belgians, 2013. ISBN 978-0692365465.
  • Gansz, David M. B-17 Production - Boeing Aircraft: 25 April 1944 - 22 June 1944 B-17G-65 to G-75 43-37509 - 43-38073. New Jersey: First Mountain Belgians, 2017. ISBN 978-0692859841.
  • Lloyd, Alwyn T. B-17 Flying Fortress in Detail and Scale, Vol. 11: Derivatives, Part 2. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, 1983. ISBN 0-8168-5021-6.
  • Lloyd, Alwyn T. B-17 Flying Fortress in Detail and Scale, Vol. 20: More derivatives, Part 3. Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: Tab Books, 1986. ISBN 0-8168-5029-1.
  • Lloyd, Alwyn T. and Terry D. Moore. B-17 Flying Fortress in Detail and Scale, Vol. 1: Production Versions, Part 1. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, 1981. ISBN 0-8168-5012-7.
  • O'Leary, Michael. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (Osprey Production Line to Frontline 2). Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-85532-814-3.
  • Stitt, Robert M. & Olson, Janice L. (July–August 2002). "Brothers in Arms: A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Crew in New Guinea, Part 1". Air Enthusiast (100): 2–11. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Thompson, Scott A. Final Cut: The Post War B-17 Flying Fortress, The Survivors: Revised and Updated Edition. Highland County, Ohio: Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 2000. ISBN 1-57510-077-0.
  • Wagner, Ray, "American Combat Planes of the 20th Century", Reno, Nevada, 2004, Jack Bacon & Company, ISBN 0-930083-17-2.
  • Willmott, H.P. B-17 Flying Fortress. London: Bison Books, 1980. ISBN 0-85368-444-8.
  • Wisker Thomas J. "Talkback". Air Enthusiast, No. 10, July–September 1979, p. 79. ISSN 0143-5450

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress

USAAF Military History Section

USAAF Chronology and War Diaries 1941-1942 1943 1944 1945

United States Army Air Force - USAAF units

USAAF Combat Units

Visit our site for a tarot reading!

 

Send Mail  
Please help us to improve these articles with any additional information or photo's. 
If you should encounter any bugs   broken links,  or display errors just email us.

If you love our website please donate so we can make this site even better !!

 

This webpage was updated 17th August 2023

-xxx-