My Devotion

B-17F-BO. 42-30863. 563rd Bomb Squadron 388th Bomb Group.

 

Assistant Crew Chief Bill Farnesi was the youngest member of his ground crew and so he was allowed to name their plane. "My Devotion" was a Glenn Miller song that he liked. Farnesi actually painted the lettering on the plane with white outlines were added later. Completed 7 missions.

 

Damaged on November 5th 1943 near Gelsenkirchen Germany with the Bohne crew. Target, near the vicinity of Frankfurt (1225 hrs) the formation was attacked by about 75 enemy aircraft. This attack lasted for 35 minutes and one additional B-17 was shot down. My Devotion was too damaked by flak with two damaged engines, oupon return it crash landed near College Farm, Elmham St Cross, Suffolk and was subsequently scrapped.

 

Pilot: R. E. Bohne RTD

Co-pilot: Major Bill Chamberlain RTD

Navigator: H. D. Bellmer RTD

Bombardier: W. L. Bangum RTD

Radio Operator: L. L. Southam RTD

Engineer: W. J. Hannigan RTD

Ball Turret: J. C. Arthur RTD

Waist Gunner: S. J. Cavallaro RTD

Waist Gunner: R. L. Allman RTD

Tail Gunner: M. W. Carlson RTD

Command Pilot: W. L. Chamberlin RTD

 

Done