Aircraft History
This bomber served with the 19th BG and was nicknamed "Tojo's Jinx".

Wartime History
On February 23, 1942 one of three B-17s that took off from Madioen Airfield at 5:30am piloted by Lt. Preston, along with B-17E "El Toro" 41-2461 and a third aborted. The two remaining B-17s bombed Denpasar Airfield from 27,000' through thick clouds.

On August 7, 1942 this B-17 participated in a bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield.

Edward M Jacquet, pilot of B-17E 41-2462 recalled:
"[Pease was on his right wing] We hollered and screamed for the formation to slow down to protect Harl. We borke silence on our radios but of course they were very unreliable radios. Later the other pilots said they never heard us."

Repaired, it became the personal transport of General Kruger and nicknamed "Billy".

Scrapped in New Guinea in 1945.

References
Fortress Against The Sun page 107, 111, 178, 144, 149, 385, 410, 414

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Last Updated
November 9, 2009