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Mission Data:
| Date |
34th BG Mission # |
8th AF Mission # |
34th Primary Target |
| March 02, 1945 |
134 |
859 |
Dresden |
| 38 planes dispatched. 38 planes dropped 92.25 tons on the secondary target. 38 Credit Sorties. This was the first mission opposed by enemy fighters, but no losses occurred as a result. 34BG gunners did claim 3 enemy fighters destroyed, 2 probables and 8 damaged. Sturdivan in The Red-Tailed Devils from Mendlesham, p.75, states the claims as 8 destroyed, 7 probables and 5 damaged. Photos of the planes show that "Butch," "Ol'Buddy " and "Sweet Seventeen" each made one enemy fighter claim. |
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Sortie Data:
| Combat Credit | Status | Target Attacked (Mode) |
| Yes |
Mission Completed |
Primary (Visual) |
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Sortie Aircraft Data:
| Type | Serial Number | Squadron | SQ Code | Name |
| B-17G |
44-8605 |
18 |
B/H |
Happy Warrior |
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Sortie Crew Data:
| Position | Crew Member | Unit | Status |
| Pilot |
Morton Abrams |
18th |
Completed |
| Co-Pilot |
Jack D. Whittiker |
18th |
Completed |
| Navigator |
Robert L. Steiner |
18th |
Completed |
| Bombardier |
Jack E. Black |
18th |
Completed |
| Radio Operator |
Walter H. Zell |
18th |
Completed |
| Engineer/Top Turret |
Ernest W. Brown |
18th |
Completed |
| Gunner (Ball Turret) |
Michael J. Derenge |
18th |
Completed |
| Gunner (Tail) |
Fred J. Reo |
18th |
Completed |
| Gunner (Waist/Flexible) |
James C. Langdon Jr. |
18th |
Completed |
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