Surplus Warplane Transfers to Schools 1945-1948

[Steve Birdsall]

Further to the above, the 'error' note on the card refers to the movement of '9095 with the 97th to the UK in May 42; the move was made in July so that part now makes sense. The 'error' seems to stem from the 97th receiving Special Order No.67 on 10 May, which the Group historian described as, "The first lap of the flight echelon to the Theater of Operations". It was a premature statement, with most B-17s going instead to the Middletown Air Depot for repairs, new engines and armament upgrades. The first men of the ground echelon arrived in the UK on 9 June and the first aircraft on 6 July.

Regarding Baugher's entry, the 97th mission on 6 September 1942 was to the Potez factory at Meaulte and no aircraft were lost. The only casualty was the tail gunner in '9021 (Cpl Bungard), killed by enemy gunfire.

Thanks for your informative response. Here’s the card for 41-9097. Condemned in India in June 1943, and the written notation seems to match the hand that made the final entry on the 41-9095 card.



By the way, what’s your interpretation of “Y-Y” on these cards?

[quemerford]

I don't know for sure, but I assumed that Y - Y indicated a move from one theater to another. However I've never seen it explained fully.

Incidentally, though the 97th BGp record narrative states that no aircraft were lost on 6 September, the Group history also includes the attached combat loss information. All very confusing.

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