Information source….Please.

As a Newbie, I’d first like to say hello to all forum members and to ask for your help.

I am interested in the information quoted below, as I am currently researching this aircraft myself. I have a personal connection to this aircraft, as my Grandfather was Norman Bradley, one of the waist gunners. I was always lead to believe that the aircraft was HB779 so would be eternally grateful if someone could tell me where this information came from and if it is reliable.

I think there’s some confusion between HB779 and HB799, both of which were Fortress III’s (B-17G).

HB779 flew as ‘BU-K’ on 33 ops from 14/10/1944 to 21/2/1945.
HB799 then flew 5 ops as ‘BU-K’ from 27/2/1945 to 14/4/1945.

I think the latter date is the one you’re interested in, when F/L Wynne brought the Fort back alone after he baled his crew out and unfortunately five of them were subsequently murdered. The a/c was damaged which is why I guess it then disappears from the records for a while.

Both a/c then reappear for one final op with 214, on 2/5/1945 – HB779 as ‘BU-P’ and HB799 as ‘BU-L’.

Cheers. M@