RickFlackI have added three new Appendices with a forth one coming soon. The Good news is I have now merged the “main” book and the 18 Appendices into one PDF document (3,810 pages, 2GB file size). I made minor updates to the “main” book and added three new images on “main” Book/PDF page numbers 302/382 and 1227/1307, which are most likely of interest to family members and close friends.
To obtain a copy this updated all-in-one book and read related details, go to the following Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
RickFlackI completed my last remaining, and long awaited, Appendix N (The Hour Has Come – The 97th Bomb Group in World War II book). Also, I added two new Appendices, which are Rudy’s junior and senior high school yearbooks. From these scanned yearbooks, I captured and added 14 new images (pages) to the “main” book’s Chapter 3 (Rudy’s 1st Flying Lesson and His Education 1931-1937) found on Book/PDF pages 55/135 thru 119/199, which is likely of interest mainly to family members and close friends.
As a result of adding the two new Appendices noted above (Rudy’s junior and senior high school yearbooks), I have re-sequenced and renumbered all 14 appendices chronologically. To access the updated “main” book and all 14 completed Appendices (A thru N) go to the following Facebook link for all details:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
RickFlackI have completed the following three of my last four remaining Appendices with only Appendix H (The Hour Has Come – The 97th Bomb Group in World War II book) remaining. This resulted in updates to the entire “main” book’s Chapter 3 (Rudy’s 1st Flying Lesson and His Education 1931-1937) between “main” Book/PDF pages 55/135 thru 105/185 (includes 14 new images, most with photos), which is likely of interest to mainly family members and close friends.
Having the following three Appendices completed provides historical value to all and having Appendix K and L available as searchable PDF’s is invaluable:
Appendix I – New York Times Magazine – Sunday – September 6, 1942
Appendix K – The CADET 1936 – San Diego Army and Navy Academy (SDANA)
Appendix L – The CADET 1937 – Brown Military Academy – Successor of SDANA
To access the three completed Appendices noted above and the updated “main” book, go to the following Facebook link for all details:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
RickFlackLet’s honor Memorial Day. I added 12 very interesting new images (photos and documents), which appear on the following Book/PDF pages:
59/137, 60/138, 61/139, 62/140 – 1934 High School Yearbook
71/149, 72/150, 74/152, 75/153 – 1936 SDANA Yearbook
297/375, 298/376, 299/377, 300/378 – 1938 Ship Passenger List
On Book/PDF page number 581/659 I identified six 414th Bomb Squadron members who served with Rudy from 2-Feb-42 thru 5-Mar-43 and who contributed to the writing of “The Hour Has Come Book.” Note the three key 414th BS members/families whose assistance was not solicited, which are identified on Book/PDF page number 584/662.
To access the updated book, go to the following Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the May 25, 2019 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document:
RickFlackI made relevant updates to the “main” book’s PREFACE. I added 20 very interesting new images (photos and documents), which appear on the following Book/PDF(x) page numbers (the “x” identifies the number of new images on each page):
289/367(1), 378/456(1), 836/914(2), 837/915(1), 964/1042(1), 966/1044(1), 1206/1284(1), 1207/1285(1), 1233/1311(2), 1234/1312(2), 1261/1339(2), 1262/1340(2), 1263/1341(2), 1266/1344(1).
To access the updated book, go to the following Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the May 19, 2019 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document:
RickFlackI had to make three corrections to yesterday’s 1/30/19 posting so I added one new full-page photo. To access the updated book, go to the following Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the January 31, 2019 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document:
RickFlackI just finished reading the 425-page “The 12 O’Clock High Logbook.” As a result, I updated my entire write-up, which added 4 pages to my book. It is a fabulous read with many online links for accessing comprehensive material. I just added two new pages to my book with two MPEG4 video file links of Rudy and his Family. All of these details are summarized in the following Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stor…2118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the January 30, 2019 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document:
RickFlackI added 13 new pages, which includes 10 images to the “main” book and starts on book page number 572 (PDF page 650) and runs through book page number 584 (PDF page 662). These 13 new pages provide an in-depth look at the Twelve O’Clock High 1948 book and the 1949 movie as detailed in The Twelve O’Clock High Logbook published in 2005. It a fabulous read with many online links for accessing comprehensive material. These details are summarized in the following Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/ Once there, follow the instructions for the January 24, 2019 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document: https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ap83jlCuE2S-o0eijKjmkmUeSqTG
RickFlackI added two new pages to the “main” book (Book 92►93, PDF 168►169) as a result of reviewing and updating Appendix A – Rudy’s High School & Junior College Scrap Book (1932-1937), which was created back in 2010 (read Book pages 92 through 100 for a more complete picture). In addition, I have provided “updated” individual links to each of my eight completed Appendices. All of these details are summarized in the following Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the December 19, 2018 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document:
RickFlackFirst B-17 Combat Bombardment Group to Europe & North Africa
I have added eight new pages to my book (Book pages 768►775 — PDF pages 844►851), which provides a detailed accounting of Operation Flagpole, a precursor to Operation Torch (read Book pages 767 through 778 for a more complete picture). In addition, I have provided individual links to eight of my completed Appendices. All of these details are summarized in the following Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the December 14, 2018 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document:
RickFlackFirst B-17 Combat Bombardment Group to Europe & North Africa
I have added two new full-page photos to my book. In addition, I updated text pertaining to the 22-Feb-43 (Mission #62) and 23-Feb-43 (Mission #64), which was the successful bombing of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s Fifth Panzer Troop Concentrations located in Kasserine Pass, Tunisia. Rudy and his 414th Bomb Squadron were the Fortresses that successfully bombed their assigned target on 22-Feb-43, in spite of the cloud cover; and were the key Fortresses that successfully bombed the same target the next day on 23-Feb-43.
These attacks by the 97th were the start of a series of blows by the Allied air forces that were to tip the balance in the struggle and force the retreat of the Axis armies. Marshall Rommel, whose forces bore the brunt of these blows reported, “In every battle to come the strength of the Anglo-American air force was to be the deciding factor.”
The details of these updates are summarized in the following Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the December 6, 2018 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document (see related details in original posting above):
RickFlackI have made important updates as a result of my continued research and refinement of the Operation BOLERO Atlantic Ocean crossing during June/July 1942, which was a WWII military historical first, filled with many challenges and includes in-depth stories from those who made the treacherous crossing. The details of these updates are summarized in the following Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stor…2118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the November 17, 2018 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document (see related details in original posting above):
RickFlackFor those who have or will be downloading a copy of the book associated with this original posting above, I have made informative updates in Chapter 7, the details of which are summarized in the following Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Once there, follow the instructions for the November 15, 2018 posting, which states: Click on the following Microsoft OneDrive link and “Save As” a copy of this book to a location of your choice on your PC for viewing this document (see related details in original posting above):
RickFlackI am responding to this seven year old posting just in case anyone may still be interested. But first I must present relevant historical information pertaining to the B-17’s and their assigned Flying Fortress Bomb Groups/Squadrons so the readers are provided with a complete and accurate picture of this discussion.
First, the three B-17F’s referenced above (41-24376, 41-24419 and 41-24473) are detailed as follows in both Roger A. Freeman’s book titled “The B-17 Flying Fortress Story” and David A. Osborne’s Master Edit Copy titled “B-17 Fortress Master Log”, both of which are considered the most complete accounting of every B-17 manufactured; unfortunately not 100% correct, but pretty close (note both Roger’s and David’s date format used is dd/mm/yy):
41-24376 Assigned 92BG Bangor 14/7/42; 341BS/97BG Polebrook 8/42; Maison Blanche 13/11/42; bombed by Luftwaffe on takeoff 20/11/42 w/Art Hughes, Bone, Peklenk, Cogdill, Cooper, Faith, Richardson, Hagan, Evans, Hinson (10KIA).
41-24419 Assigned 92BG Bangor 14/7/42; 341BS/97BG Polebrook 8/42; Maison Blanche 13/11/42; Tafaraoui 22/11/42; Biskra 25/12/42; bombed on base by Luftwaffe 10/1/43; Salvaged.
41-24473 Assigned 92BG Bangor 2/8/42; 414BS/97BG Polebrook 24/8/42; Maison Blanche 13/11/42; Tafaraoui 22/11/42; Biskra 25/12/42; Chateau-du-Rhumel 8/2/43; Pont-du-Fahs 1/8/43; De Pienn 15/8/43; Cerignola 20/12/43; Amendola 16/1/44. Salvaged 1/8/45. KISS-ME-KOWBOY.
Second, the 97th Bomb Group consisted of four Bomb Squadrons (340th, 341st, 342nd and 414th). I am well versed on the early history of the 97th Bomb Group as my father, Colonel Rudolph “Rudy” Emil Flack, was the first Squadron Commander of 414th from its activation on 3-Feb-42 (and the 97th Bomb Group’s). Colonel Rudy Flack served as the 414th Squadron Commander through 5-Mar-43 when he was promoted and appointed as the Assistant Operations Officer of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) and as a Staff Bombardment Officer (A-3) with the XII Bomber Command both under the Command of Major General Jimmy Doolittle. A detailed history of Colonel Rudy Flack’s life filled with photos is accessible via the following Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Third, the following is the early history of the 92nd Bomb Group, which consisted of four Bomb Squadrons (325th, 326th, 327th and 407th). The following is from the 92d Operations Group Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/92d_Operations_Group):
The 92d Bombardment Group was activated on 1 March 1942 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. After training at Sarasota Army Airfield, Florida from May–July 1942, the Air Echelon left for Westover Army Airfield, Massachusetts and moved to Dow Army Airfield, Maine on 29 June 1942. In August, the squadrons flew to Newfoundland and then direct across the Atlantic to Prestwick, Scotland. … on 18 August 1942. This was the same day the first aircraft of the 326th Bomb squadron arrived in Bovingdon. The last squadron – the 407th – arrived on 28 August 1942.
The group was assigned to VIII Bomber Command and allocated RAF Bovingdon as its base. The group was assigned to the 40th Combat Bombardment Wing at RAF Thurleigh. The 92d flew a few two combat missions in September and October 1942, then was withdrawn from combat and its B-17F bombers exchanged for the older B-17E bombers being flown by the 97th Bomb Group.
The last sentence above is incorrect as the 97th Bomb Group swapped most of its B-17E aircraft with the 92nd Bomb Group’s newly arrived B-17F’s in late August 1942 not in October 1942. The exact date each newly arrived B-17F was assigned to each 97th Bomb Group’s squadron may be verified in both Roger A. Freeman’s book titled “The B-17 Flying Fortress Story” and David A. Osborne’s Master Edit Copy book titled “B-17 Fortress Master Log”.
Lastly, a major element of the 92nd Bomb Group’s “General Orders” was to fly from the USA mainland to England and deliver their newly assigned B-17F aircraft to their newly assigned base at RAF Bovingdon, England to be exchanged with the 97th Bomb Group’s B-17E aircraft. The 97th Bomb Group (constituted on 28-Jan-42) was the first Heavy Bombardment Group assigned to the VIII Bomber Command and the first to arrive in England at two different RAF bases in July 1942; Polebrook and Grafton-Underwood. They were also the first Heavy BG to fly combat missions over German occupied territory in Europe beginning on 17-Aug-42. The exchange of most, if not all, of the B-17F’s from the 92nd Bomb Group for most of the 97th Bomb Groups B-17E’s occurred on 24-Aug-42. This was definitely the case for the 414th Bomb Squadron as documented in Colonel Rudy Flack’s Individual Flight Record log books and as detailed his book found in the Facebook link noted above.
Now that the table is set, the following are a couple of clarifying comments regarding the Forum posting titled “B-17F 41-24419: A Short Story” as recounted above:
It is possible, but not likely, the B-17F’s delivered to England by the 92nd Bomb Group were “named” by their assigned Pilots. If photos exist to show otherwise, please provide for historical sake. According to both Roger A. Freeman’s book titled “The B-17 Flying Fortress Story” and David A. Osborne’s Master Edit Copy book titled “B-17 Fortress Master Log” the only B-17F of the three discussed in the Forum’s posting, which was ever named, was the B-17F 41-24473. It was named KISS-ME-KOWBOY on 24-Aug-42, or shortly thereafter, by its newly assigned 414th Bomb Squadron Pilot 1st Lt. Clarence L. Thacker who was from 1108 Mabbette, Street / Kissimmee, Florida. You will find a photo of the B-17F KISS-ME-KOWBOY (41-24473) on Book page number 922 (PDF page number 998) in the 11/11/18 posting of Colonel Rudy Flack’s book found in the Facebook link noted above with then Major Flack in the photo.
The following is in response to the four Flying Fortresses with the names (or partially containing the name), HELLZAPOPPIN, HONEY CHILE II, VIRGIN STURGEON and EXTERMINATOR.
The following B-17E was named HELLZAPOPPIN:
41-9219 Delivered Cheyenne 23/5/42; Assigned 98BS/11BG Hawaii 5/6/42; transferred 13AF Poppy 22/7/42; Ditched at sea, no fuel 13/9/42 w/Major Philip M. Rasmussen. HELLZAPOPPIN.
There were two B-17’s (one F and one G) named HONEY CHILE but none were named HONEY CHILE II:
42-31027 Delivered Cheyenne 4/9/43; Gr Isle 3/10/43; Assigned 569BS/390BG [CC-R] Framlingham 7/10/43 MISS LACE, then PINKY III; to HONEY CHILE; transferred RAF [SR387]; 214 Squadron BU-G Sculthorpe, Nfk. 21/1/44; No1699 FLT [4Z-Z]; WO 13/11/46.
43-37857 Delivered Cheyenne 29/5/44; Hunter 9/6/44; Dow Field 28/6/44; Assigned 548BS/385BG [GX- ] Gt Ashfield 1/7/44; MIA Mannheim 21/1/45 w/Capt John McErlane (KIA); Earl Hansen, Jim Pillsbury, Paul Manouvier, J.L. Pence, Bill Rambo, Mike Roppolo, Hunter Dunn, Bob Dennard (8POW); flak, crashed Joehlingen, Ger. MACR 11765. HONEY-CHILE.
The following B-17F was named VIRGIN STURGEON:
42-30334 Del Cheyenne 15/5/43; Geiger 28/5/43; Gt Falls 7/6/43; Chanute 22/6/43; Lewiston 23/6/43; Smoky Hill 2/7/43; Dow Field 13/7/43; Assigned 570BS/390BG [DI-E] Framlingham 15/7/43 EIGHT BALL; MIA Frankfurt 29/1/44 w/Bill Harding, cp-Valdemar Cordova, n-Clint Jacobsen, b-Ed Morgan, ettg-Bill Craven, ro-Mario Lubue, btg-Ralph Ross, wg-Vince Plouff, wg-George Fritz, tg-John Ovadal (10POW); mid-air coll w/42-30325 (390BG) breaking off part of right wing, cr in Lake Constance, nr Friedrichshafen, Ger. MACR 2271. VIRGIN STURGEON.
There were four B-17’s (two B-17E’s and two B-17F’s) containing the name EXTERMINATOR:
41-9022 Assigned 341BS/97BG Polebrook 3/42; Bovingdon 8/42, used as ferry navigation a/c; 546BS/384BG [BR-L] Grafton Underwood 4/6/43 as t/t & hack 8/43; 1 BAD Burtonwood 27/7/44; WO 25/5/45. ALABAMA EXTERMINATOR.
41-9108 Delivered Sarasota 342BS/97BG 15/4/42; Presque Is 31/5/42; from Goose Bay w/John Holmes,cp-Fred Shelton, n-Jones Calloway, b-Ed Branch, ettg-Bob Brennan, ro-John Fellows, g-John Lynn, g-George Witham. cr Edgedaminde, Greenland 26/6/42. All eight crewmen RTD; WO. ALABAMA EXTERMINATOR.
42-30105 Delivered Cheyenne 13/4/43; Tinker 12/5/43; Lincoln 20/5/43; Bangor 23/5/43; Ass 412BS/95BG [QW-R] Framlingham 6/6/43 EXTERMINATOR; Horham 12/6/43; 4m, MIA Le Bourget 10/7/43 w/Jim Sarchet, cp-Ron McMullen, b-Arthur Price, btg-Leon Budnick, wg-John Lutrell, tg-Edwin Harmon (6KIA); ettg-Paul Ruska, wg-Jennings Liller (2POW); cp-Bob McCowen, ro-Don Harding (2EVD); e/a, cr St Didier des Bois, nr Elbent, Fr; MACR 4902. SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS.
42-30150 Delivered Cheyenne 17/4/43; Smoky Hill 24/4/43; Walla Walla 30/4/43; Rapid City 9/5/43; Dow Field 24/5/43; Assigned 412BS/95BG [QW-S] Horham 27/6/43; 9m, MIA Oschersleben 28/7/43 w/Fred Hodges, cp-Jim Peacock, n-Bill Grody, b-Eleazar Moody, ettg-Bill Brown, ro-Bob Shafer, btg-Lloyd Brooks, wg-Dick Porter, wg-Larry Burleigh, tg-Ernie Weaver (10KIA); e/a attacked and then ship exploded, crashed in sea off Lathen, Ger; MACR 214. EXTERMINATOR.
Refer to this link for a listing of all 92nd Bomb Group Missions (one on 6-Sep-42 and two on 9-Oct-42): http://www.8thafhs.com/get_one_acgroup.php?acgroup_id=22.
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