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"Knockout Dropper"
50th Mission
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Photo taken on 16 November 1943 following the 303rd BG(H) mission #82 to Knaben, Norway. This was the 50th combat mission of Knockout Dropper which was, on this occasion, the first 8thAF B-17 to fly 50 combat missions. The Pilot was 1stLt John P. Manning and CoPilot and Aircraft Commander was Captain George T. Mackin.
(Crewmen L-R) Sgt Leroy L. Mace - Ball Turret Gunner, Pekin Illinois
S/Sgt Robert I. McKenna - Waist Gunner, Cambridge Mass.
T/Sgt George Keesling - Engineer, Plevna Kansas
Capt George Mackin - co-pilot, Portland Oregon
S/Sgt Albert Santella - Tail Gunner, Fredrickstown PA
Lt John P. Manning - Pilot, Minneapolis Minnesota
T/Sgt Kenneth Fitzsimmons - Radio Operator, Big Falls Minnesota
Lt Matt Schreidell - Bombardier, Detroit Michigan
Sgt C. R. Horton - Penn Yan, N.Y
T/Sgt E.A. Howell - Photographer
Behind Keesling, Lt. Jack Antman - Navigator, New York

41-24605 Knock-Out Dropper Mission List:
2, 3, 5, 7(A), 8(A), 9(AS), 10, 11(A), 12(A), 13(A), 14, 15(AS), 17, 18(A), 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28(A), 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 38(A), 39, 40, 41, 43, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51(AS), 52, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61(AS), 63, 64, 65, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72(AS), 73, 77, 78, 79(AS), 80(A), 81, 82(50th mission-1st 8th AF B-17),

83, 84, 85, 86(spare), 87, 88, 90(AS), 91(AS), 92(AS), 93, 95, 96(A), 98, 99, 101, 102, 103(A), 104, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 123(spare), 128, 129(75th mission-1st 8th AF B-17))

  • (A) Aborted - no credit
  • (AS) Aborted sortie - credited
  • (spare) no credit

88 total missions dispatched
11 aborts
9 aborted sorties
2 spares

[photo courtesy of Steven L. Mace]