A Boeing B-17F-95-BO Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30275) nicknamed "Vibrant Virgin" GX-P of the 548th Bombardment Squadron, 385th Bombardment Group in flight.
<p>It failed to return from a mission to the shipyards at Bremen, Germany on 8 October 1943 (10 aircrew became POWs).  The formation was met with stiff resistance by German fighters and flak crews on the ground the entire way, from the Dutch coast all the way into the German heartland, and back again. In addition, a large force of German fighters launched vicious attacks sgainst the planes. Over the target, the formation encountered intense flak. Damaged by flak, it crashed near Quakenbrück, Germany.  MACR 825.  
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Handwritten caption on reverse: 'HH. Vibrant Virgin, 1/Lt. John Pettenger.'
United States Army Air Forces
1943
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