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In early 1944, Squawkin’ Hawk suffered some
serious damage - on January 21st over St. Omer
and on February 25th during the mission to Re-
gensburg – just another mission that could have
again proven fateful for this aircraft. A nearby
burst of flak severely lacerated the vertical tail
surfaces and damaged the steering. Lt. Gossage
considered turning the damaged plane towards
Switzerland. He had already had one unpleasant
incident on board this plane - he was the co-pi-
lot who returned in November of the previous
year with pilot Lt. Flesh, and an otherwise empty
Squawkin’ Hawk, from Gelsenkirchen. Gossage
thought carefully. But since most of the men in
his crew were nearing the completion of their
operational tour, they decided to try to return.
After completing 50 missions,
Squawkin Hawk became
a popular subject for
photography.
Soon, Squawkin Hawk was adorned with countless autographs and messages from both local
and visiting personnel.
T/Sgt. Donald W. “Duck” Bradley, from the 350th Bomb Squadron
photo lab, flew 29 combat missions as an aerial photographer.
Here he is pictured standing on the wing of Squawkin Hawk near
his signature (“Duck Bradley” next to his left hand).
Squawkin Hawk, adorned with hundreds of signatures,
became a major attraction for local children from
surrounding farms and villages, who often visited the
base both secretly and openly. It’s possible that they
even added their own messages for the journey back
to the USA. Left is Neville Slade, Right is John Bartram.
B-17F 42-30088 XR
-
D Squawkin‘ Hawk,
Lt. Sumner H. Reeder crew, 349th Bomb Squadron,
100th Bomb Group, Thorpe Abbotts, April 1944
Speciál B-17F / The Bloody Hundredth 1943 INFO Eduard
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June 2024