384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

Welcome to the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Photo Gallery. This gallery makes available the photographic and documentary portion of the 384th BG record. All content on this gallery is visible to all visitors. Those wishing to enter a comment or contribute images will need to register and log in (links at left of Home page). Please register for an account when you need access beyond viewing gallery content. For additional information about the 384th BG, visit the 384th Bomb Group website⇗.

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B-17F 42-5838 was one of the original 36 B-17's assigned to the 384th in May 1943. it was originally assigned to the crew of Horace Frink, and was coded SO*P (547th BS). It was the last of the Group's original aircraft to go Missing In Action. Shot down on January 4, 1944, mission to Kiel, Germany. All 10 crewmen became POW's. MACR 1483.
Aircraft was hit by flak over target, and tried to escape to Sweden. The aircraft left formation 5 minutes past Kiel, dropped blazing bomb-bay tank, then dropped his wheels on the turn from the target and left formation with 2 E/A attacking with unobserved results.Two engines were lost over Fyn, and the plane was spotted by a Ju 88 night fighter (on a day mission), piloted by Leutenant Stock and assisted by Flight Mechanic Uffz. Philipp. After 3 attacks, Kaczaraba made a perfect belly landing on the Asnaes Peninsula in Denmark, southwest of Kalundborg, and the crew set the plane on fire. The crew were taken prisoner of war by the Germans at approx. 1415 hours, and all 10 airmen were transferred to Dulag (Luft) at Oberursel on the 5th January by Air Base detachement A54/ II (Værløse).

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