Warbird Information Exchange

need info on a ww 2 b-17 that operated in the european theater nicknamed the "fightin hebe". all i know is it was commanded by captain nathan mazer. crew & aircraft combat history is needed. thanks!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

According to Wallace Forman's "B-17 Nose Art Name Directory" there was a "Fightin' Hebe" with the 305th BG, no squadron or S/N listed and he did have a picture. Then he lists a "Fightin' Hebe" with the 384th BG, 544th Sq, S/N 42-98000 and he did not have a picture.
Roger Freeman's "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" says: " Delivered Dallas 27/4/44; Hunter 7/6/44; Dow Field 27/6/44; assigned 544BS/384BG [SU-J] Grafton Underwood 15/7/44; MIA Kyllburg, Germany 8/1/45 with DeFrancesso; flak, crashed Rochefort, France; 1 KIA 8 POW; MACR 11579.

Hope that helps.

Dave

Edit: Apologies for the repeat info from above, but I guess I type too slow...

The ship in question is B-17G 42-98000 (Lockheed/Vega-built Fort), coded SU-J of the 544th BS, 384th BG.

This Fort was lost on January 8, 1945 on a mission to Kyllburg, Germany.

MACR 11579

Mazer did not command the aircraft, nor was he regular flight crew. He was a squadron armaments officer and would go along on missions from time to time... a total of 17 missions. They were all non-official flights, so I guess they named the ship after him because of his willingness to put his life on the line when he didn't really have to.

You can find a small blurb at the very end of THIS page...

His Obit can be found HERE...


Fade to Black...

that's him, thanks all!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Steve & Dave,

Would either of you have a picture of a B-17 (42-31135) named "Susy Sag Tits" which flew with the 388th B.G., 562nd B.S.?? I've been trying to do some research on the person shown below (S/SGT. Robert F. Davis). He flew in several different aircraft during his 31 missions to include, "Lil One", "Shack Rabbits", "Mister Yank II", "Quarterback", "Snafu", "Veni Vidi Vici", "The Princess Pat", "Little Willie", and "Tom Paine". However, most were flown in "Suzy Sag Tits" which was shot down just 3 days after Davis flew his last mission. Any help with pics would be much appreciated...THANKS!

John

John,
I'll look in my books and see what I can find. I don't remember seeing a picture of "Suzy", but that doesn't mean much. CRS, you know.
Wallace Forman doesn't list that he had a picture in his book, but maybe by now he's found one. You might try contacting him. Best of luck.

Dave

Thanks Dave!!!

No joy yet on photos of Suzy Sagtitz, (that's the spelling in Forman's book) but I've got more to look through.

Unfortunately, Wallace Forman passed away fairly recently but I've heard that his son has taken up where he left off. I've also heard that his son is a bit less cooperative in working with researchers and historians than his Dad. I don't know if this is true or not but, if so, it's a shame because Wally was always a very helpful fella and had no problem in sharing his collection with others.

Anyhoo, I'll keep looking...


Fade to Black...

Thanks Steve!!!