[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

A little on the introduction of B-17 Armed Transports.

In November 1943 pursuant to conferences between Major General Ennis C Whitehead, Deputy Commander Fifth Air Force Brigadier General Paul H Prentiss, CG 54th TCW and Colonel Victor E Bertrandias, CO Air Service Command at Townsville, a plan was formulated to convert B-17s unfit for combat into troop carrier planes. As troop carrier aircraft these Fortesses would be able to drop supplies to the most forward Allied patrols in enemy territory where unarmed C-47s could not go. They were to be equipped with "dropping hatches" set in the waist and the ball turret was to be removed. They were to carry full crews of gunners as well as extra personnel to assist in reloading the dropping hatches and operating them.

During November 1943 two of these aircraft were in Depot No.2 at Townsville for conversion and on 8 December per Airplane Assignment Memo Number 186, 12 "Troop Carrier B-17s" were assigned to the 54th TCW (see below). The first of these aircraft, B-17E 41-2458, made a drop mission on 17 December 1943 to US army troops on Arawe, New Britain, two days after they had landed there. The B-17 was assigned to the the 39th TCS, 317th TCG, and flown by Captain L Bird and his crew, all transferred from the 43rd Bomb Group (Heavy).

By 31 January 1944 eight converted B-17s had arrived in New Guinea and one had been assigned to each squadron of the 317th and 375th TCGs. Four were also allotted to the 433rd TCG. All had made regular dropping missions, some as far into New Britain as 100 miles from Rabaul.

Fifth Air Force Airplane Assignment Order No.186, assignment of B-17s.

Air Corps Serial No. - - Type - - Assigned to - - Field/Nose No.
-41-2408 - - - - - - - - B-17E - - 46th TCS - - - 97
-41-2432 - - - - - - - - B-17E - - 69th TCS - - - 372
-41-2458 - - - - - - - - B-17E - - 39th TCS - - - 25
-41-2657 - - - - - - - - B-17E - - 56th TCS - - - 143
-41-2662 - - - - - - - - B-17E - - 55th TCS - - - 119
-41-2665 - - - - - - - - B-17E - - 40th TCS - - - 41 & 49*
41-24353 - - - - - - - - B-17F - - 69th TCS - - - 371
41-24357 - - - - - - - - B-17F - - 41st TCS - - - 75
41-24358 - - - - - - - - B-17F - - 68th TCS - - - Unknown.
41-24381 - - - - - - - - B-17F - - 433rd TCS - - - Unknown.
41-24420 - - - - - - - - B-17F - - 58th TCS - - - 176
41-24548 - - - - - - - - B-17F - - 57th TCS - - - 167

* Later mentions of 41-2665 quote only Field/Nose No.41.

See:
Allied Air Transport Operations South West Pacific Area in WWII - Volume Two. 1943 - Year of Expansion and Consolidation.
Kelly,Robert H.
n.p.:Author,2006
p.8

Col.