19/10/43 Three new B-17Gs are assigned to the 381st, including 42-31075 ‘The Rebel’ and 42-31111 ‘Four Aces Pat Hand’ pic.twitter.com/j1wtNjVhCt
— Paths That Crossed (@RAF_Ridgewell) October 19, 2013
20/12/43 Mission 51: Bremen. 28 bombers take off at 0830 into a beautiful sunrise to bomb the port area of Bremen. They join over 500 others
— Paths That Crossed (@RAF_Ridgewell) December 20, 2013
20/12/43 Temperature is -60° and the weather is clear until the B-17s near the target. The crews can see a wall of flak over Bremen.
— Paths That Crossed (@RAF_Ridgewell) December 20, 2013
20/12/43 42-31075 ‘The Rebel’ is hit by flak and then attacked by Me109s. The B-17, on fire and losing altitude, slips under the formation.
— Paths That Crossed (@RAF_Ridgewell) December 20, 2013
20/12/43 Eight chutes are seen from the stricken ship. However, the co-pilot, Lt Jim Opitz is killed by a 20mm shell while bailing out.
— Paths That Crossed (@RAF_Ridgewell) December 20, 2013