B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-39853 / Papa’s Passion

 Delivered: Long Beach 18/9/43; Scott 21/10/43; ass 401BG Deenethorpe 4/11/43; Transferred: 510BS/351BG [TU-P] Polebrook 18/11/43; {25m} MIA Sorau 29/5/44 Pilot: Alf Neal, Co-Pilot: Bill Long, Navigator: Dave Rucker, n/g-Sgt Fred Hale, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Willis Hickman, Radio Operator: Bill Gough, Ball Turret Gunner: Jose Jiminez, Waist Gunner: Gene Ingraham, Tail Gunner: John Sado (9RTD); flak ko’d two engines and was forced to head home, then lost another the load being too much. Crossing the coast flak hit the fourth engine, and Neal, on his first mission as first pilot forced to ditch in the Channel, where the ship floated for 20 minutes, the crew picked up by ASR; PAPA’S PASSION.