379th Homeward Bound
by Pat Speirs
Title
379th Homeward Bound
Artist
Pat Speirs
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Art Print
Description
B17 Series
379th Homeward Bound
The 379th BG of the US 8th Air Force was one of the earliest units activated during WW2. Base at RAF Kimbolton in Cambridgeshire the 379th arrived in the UK, from Sioux City Iowa, on 21 May 1943. Carrying various markings during it�s operational life the unit became known as the �Triangle K� from the fin markings carried by the various Mks of B17 they flew on operations.
Flying more missions than any other US Group and achieving individual fame with one aircraft �Ole Gappy� which completed 157 sorties, also another B17, �Swamp Fire� was the first heavy bomber to carry out 100 missions without an abort - quite remarkable statistics. Operational until VE day the unit was then transferred to Morocco and disbanded there in July 1945 - sic transit gloria.
The image shows a section of 379 B17s heading for home in the last of the light after another WW2 sortie - a lone P47 tags along, happy to have the navigation home taken care of.
Uploaded
December 20th, 2011
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