Dec 1941 or Jan 1942
Former Assignments
7th BG
88th BS
Aircraft History
Accepted to US Army November 29, 1941 and ferried by Frederick Eaton from Boeing Field.
Ferry Flight to Hawaii
One of the B-17s being ferried to Hawaii from the west coast. Ferried by Deacon Rawls, and arrived arrived at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941 during attack, fired on by USN
anti-aircraft guns, tried to land at Hickam Field, then Wheeler Field, but both were buring from attacks.
It then landed at Hickam, and was fired on by a Zero while landing. One
of the crew fired back with only his pistol. On the ground the crew ran
from the plane as Zeros straffed, but none were wounded.
Ferry Flight to Australia
Ferrried overseas from Hawaii
on February 8, 1942 and arrived at Townsville on February 19, 1942.
First Combat Mission
Damaged on takeoff
during the night of February 22, when its left wingtip collided with B-17E 41-2416 wing and
#4 engine. This
plane got a replacement wingtip from 41-2416 and was back to flying condition
the next day, but missed the Feb 22/23 mission to Rabaul.
Wartime Service
On a March 13, 1942 mission
to Rabaul, this bomber claimed one Zero. This bomber was scheduled to be used to evacuate
General MacArthur, but was unable to start due to mechanical problems.
Charmichael did fly MacArthur on last leg of journey from Bachelor to inland
where he took a train.
On a June 2, 1942 mission flown by Frederick Eaton and Tower was not able to land at Horn Island due to an air raid and put down in field at Coen, Australia, tail wheel smashed in landing. Captain Spieth flew in replacement tail wheel assemby, two days to clear a runway, and Spieth flew it back to Garbutt, Townsville. July 3, 1942 mission two Zeros claimed south of Lae and plane hit by bullets but no one injured.
Mission History
While piloted by 1st Lt. Dean C. Hoevet, this bomber was testing flares. Crashed near shore at Yorkeys Knob, north of Cairns, at least six aboard were killed.
B-17
