| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-1-BO: 42-31032 to 42-31131 |
| Delievered: | Cheyenne |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 388th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 562nd Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | S |
| MACR: | 2348 |
| German Document: | KU-840 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (10 February 1944) |
| Missions: | 18 |
History of
B-17 42-31115 / Hell’s Bells
Delivered Cheyenne 21/9/43; Gr Island 6/10/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 25/10/43; Missing in Action Brunswick 10/2/44 with Jim Feeney{not found till 25/2/44}, Radio Operator: Norman Kajut, Waist gunner: Marion Forbis,Tail gunner: Lou LeFevre (4 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Sam Gundy, Navigator: Sam Simon, Bombardier: John Drickson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Ball, Ball turret gunner: Walt Lennons, Waist gunner: Joe Smith, foto-Oscar Land (7 Prisoner of War); flak, on return crashed 3 km south-east of Heemskerk, Netherlands . Missing Air Crew Report 2348. HELL’S BELLS.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-31115 / Hell’s Bells Details
Very little is definitely known of this aircraft. It is believed thought by some crews that while over the target the aircraft received a flak hit, in the wing, and apparently punctured the Tokyo tanks as they saw gas streaming out. Other crews report that this aircraft in the target area was thought to be straggling and blew up as results of enemy aircraft attacks.
Source: MACR 2348
B-17 42-31115 / Hell’s Bells Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | James Robert Feeney | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Samuel Charles Gundy | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Samuel Irving Simon Jr. | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | John Carpenter Dirickson | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Charles William Ball | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Norman Frank Kajut | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Walter James Lennous | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Marion Boyd Forbis | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Joseph Francis Smith | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Louis Martin Le Fevre | KIA | - |
| PHOTO | T/SGT | Oscar Owen Land | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 07 June 2026
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Help preserve the archive: I invest a lot of time into these research results. If my work helps you, I would appreciate a small tip!
07. November 2021 access_time 19:26
I adopted the grave of Norman Frank Kajut in Margraten.
If anyone has information about this brave young man please let me know
Thank you
Aldwin van der Velden
06. April 2026 access_time 15:36
the attached image appears to be an uncamouflaged later Seattle B-17G-BO judging by the finish and data stenciling.
Camouflage removal on ETO first line AAF Flying Fortress was extremely rare and as such calls for a review of this identication!
07. April 2026 access_time 20:00
Agree! Also can’t be a B-17G-BO-1 block, because of cheek gun installation. B-17G-BO-1 block doesn’t have cheek gun on pilot’s side of the nose.
07. June 2026 access_time 8:08
I have removed the image from this B-17.