Production-block:
B-17F-1-BO: 41-24340 to 41-24389
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 301st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 353rd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: FA686
MACR: 16508
Missions: 39
History of
B-17 41-24371 / Devils From Hell
Assigned RAF [FA686] but transferred 353BS/301BG Westover 23/6/42; Podington 7/42; Tafaraoui 26/11/42; Maison Blanche, Alg. 5/12/42; Biskra 16/12/42; Ain M’Lila 17/1/43; St Donat 6/3/43; Missing in Action {39m} Palermo, It. 18/4/43 with Bob Godwin, Co-pilot: Houck, Navigator: Person, Bombardier: Hope, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Hawkins, Radio Operator: Imler, Ball turret gunner: Littreel, Waist gunner: Nelges,Tail gunner: Spatafore (9 Killed in Action); shot down by ME 110s, Missing Air Crew Report 16508. DEVILS FROM HELL.
Last updated: 6. March 2020
B-17 41-24371 / Devils From Hell Details
From MACR 16508
Aircraft B-17F No. 41-24371, piloted by Lt. Godwin on 18 April 1943: Raid was over Marshalling yards and Roundhouse at Palermo, Sicily. Aircraft was attacked by several enemy fighters over target area who knocked out #2 engine. This aircraft was last seen to drop out of formation near target area and immediately enemy aircraft concentrated their attack on this airplane which then went into a steep dive. One parachute was see to open.
B-17 41-24371 / Devils From Hell Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Bobby Mack Godwin | KIA | - |
| CP | 1LT | John W. Houck, Jr. | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | John H. Person | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Virgil E. Hope | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Robert B. Imler | KIA | - |
| RO | SGT | Robert S. Littrell | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Arthur L. Nilges | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Frank Spatafore | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | William M. Hawkins | KIA | - |
08. September 2020 access_time 21:58
re: B-17 41-24371. My uncle, Robert S. Littrell, was a waist gunner on this flight. Thank you for your efforts in identifying his final resting place. I would be interested to know when you discovered the wreckage. Thank you.
29. November 2020 access_time 22:50
My Uncle Virgil E. Hope was the bombarder on this B-17, he was to return to the states to train future bombarders but obviously did not make it.
11. May 2022 access_time 12:41
Mr. Hope, you may be interested in an article I wrote about my uncle, who crewed with your uncle on “Devils from Hell.” https://www.jdlaird.com/bobby.pdf