603rd Over Dresden - 15 February 1945

There are four 398th B-17 aircraft in this photo on a mission over Dresden. The 398th targeted Dresden on February 15 and April 17, 1945. They were also to target Dresden on February 14, 1945, but apparently went to Prague instead. Based on the February date, it is presumed the date of the photo is 15 February 1945.

From the viewer's left to right the aircraft are:

Aircraft No. 1

  1. Aircraft No: 42-97317
  2. Tail Letter: P; Fuselage ID: N7-P
  3. Group/Squadron: 398th, 603rd
  4. Official Name of Aircraft: Little Max
  5. Date of Photograph: 15 February 1945
  6. Photo Location: Over Dresden
  7. Crew at time of Photograph: Unknown
  8. Final Disposition of A/C: Assigned to the 398th on 28 April 1944. Repaired and transferred out of the 398th 2 March 1945.
  9. Interpretive Comments: Six bombs can be seen dropping from this aircraft.

The next 3 aircraft were identified by their tail and fuselage letter:

Aircraft No. 2

  1. Aircraft No: Unknown, records show 2 603rd aircraft with this tail letter but not for 15 February 1945.
  2. Tail Letter: Q; Fuselage ID: N7-Q
  3. Group/Squadron: 398th, 603rd
  4. Official Name of Aircraft:
  5. Date of Photograph: 15 February 1945
  6. Photo Location: Over Dresden
  7. Crew at time of Photograph: Unknown
  8. Final Disposition of A/C:
  9. Interpretive Comments: This aircraft is just to the right of Little Max.

Aircraft No. 3

  1. Aircraft No: presumed to be 43-39146
  2. Tail Letter: N; Fuselage ID: N7-N
  3. Group/Squadron: 398th, 603rd
  4. Official Name of Aircraft:
  5. Date of Photograph: 15 February 1945
  6. Photo Location: Over Dresden
  7. Crew at time of Photograph: Unknown
  8. Final Disposition of A/C: Assigned to 398th 3 Feb 1945; assigned out 26 May 1945
  9. Interpretive Comments: This aircraft is the 2nd to the right of Little Max.

Aircraft No. 4

  1. Aircraft No: presumed to be 43-38631
  2. Tail Letter: T; Fuselage ID: N7-T
  3. Group/Squadron: 398th, 603rd
  4. Official Name of Aircraft: Tondelayo
  5. Date of Photograph: 15 February 1945
  6. Photo Location: Over Dresden
  7. Crew at time of Photograph: Unknown
  8. Final Disposition of A/C: Assigned to 398th 23 Nov 1944,;assigned out 26 May 1945
  9. Interpretive Comments: This aircraft is the 3rd to the right of Little Max.

Source Infomation:

  1. Photo Source: From the collection of Harry J. Dover Sr., Radio Operator, 600th
  2. Photo Reference: HD01
  3. Photographer: Unknown
  4. Information compiled by the 398th Web team with special thanks to Harry Dover, Jr.
  5. If you would like to add information about this photograph, please contact our Aircraft Photo Coordinator. Please include the title.





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