There is something odd about this: First, the bomb group described was the 306th out of Thurleigh. the referenced Major Bairnsfather was the intelligence officer. The 368th BS did not fly this mission. It was the 369th in the lead squadron, the 423 in the high and the 367th in the low. This (306th Group) was one of the three groups making up the 40th (lead) combat wing. The other two groups comprising this wing was the 92nd from Podington and the 305th from Chelveston. I was the radio operator in B17 #42-3301 which was the only plane in the 367th Sqd. to reach the target. I knew the referenced Mace Fatigati personally. he was in the 369th Sqd, and shot down on the Schweinfurt mission and became a POW. Mace was a member of SSMA and attended several of our reunions. I have a copy of the mission report, and it states the take off time as 10:25, the target at 14:18 and return to base at 17:43. Only five of our 306th group planes completed the mission. There are other statements etc. which differ from my writings and recollections, but keep in mind this was 68 years ago and I have my senior moments
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Hello George, My brother, William Earnest was in the 367th.He flew with Lt. Douglas White. It is said that their plane,Jackie Ellen
42-37720 was first to go down. Could you confirm this if you have knowledge? And by chance did you possibly know William?
Any information would be greatly appeciated...Thank you,, James