Production-block:
Boeing B-17E: 41-2393 to 41-2669
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 11th Bomb Group
- 5th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 42nd Bomb Squadron
- 431st Bomb Squadron
History of
B-17 41-2661 / Snafu
Delivered Minneapolis 7/3/42; Assigned Hickam field, Hawaii 5th BG 31st sq. 41-2661 named the SNAFU; force landed in a pineapple field wheels up on 5/6/42 on return from Midway Island after two bombing missions with the 1st Lt. Bob Andrews crew; transferred 5AF 21/7/42; Written off 31/10/44. While in transit to the 5th AF reassigned to the 11th BG 42 sq. 13th AF. Later the 431st sq. Andrews killed in unauthorized B17 flight 12/31/42 Espreto Santo with Capt. Jake Levy who died in crash 1/31/42, with Andrews passing 1/1/43.
Last updated: 14. June 2017
29. September 2019 access_time 23:57
I am the son of a B-17 pilot, James W. Hardegree. He flew Air/Sea rescue in the Pacific theater. I have a picture of him by a sign that indicated “Snafu Snatchers.” I googled that and found little mention of B-17s only the plane PBYs. I am curious, one, if I am on the right tract and, two, was my father part of the mentioned group. My dad is no longer with us and am attempting to fill in the blanks of his service. I have numerous pictures and a great deal of the written reports of his and others activities. If someone can help, please respond and thanks.
Doug Hardegree
11. November 2022 access_time 17:54
My uncle flew with your father but under Captain Hall. https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/85726/Stephens-James-C-Jr-Biography.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y
A lot more info can be found at the 11 Bomb Group Association which is run by family members.