stevepb

For a comparative photo, see http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html

You're right about 41-24515 beating Memphis Belle to the 25-mission mark. On checking, I had the name of that B-17 as Marie Jane in some 91st wartime records but relied on a faulty memory in my comment. I've never seen a photo showing that name. However, the B-17 in the photo is definitely Lt Robert J. Nolan's 41-24539 Jersey Bounce of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group. That damage was received on the December 12, 1942 Rouen mission. ...more

No, Jersey Bounce was not 41-24515, and not 91st Bomb Group . . . the aircraft shown is 41-24539 from the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, and the battle damage was received on the December 12, 1942 Rouen mission. The B-17F 41-24515 was a 91st Bomb Group aircraft named Mary Jane - she was shot down with Lt Philip S. Fischer and his crew on May 21, 1943. I see no reason to believe that she flew 25 missions before Memphis Belle did. ...more