BOOTS IV B-17F 42-37850
96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb
Squadron
Whether the original "Boots" was an aircraft or a person is not yet known
but 96BG had at least three B17s which sported this title. "Boots II" was the
first known and was originally assigned to 381BG where it was first called
"Messie Bessie" and later "Carol Jane". This latter title was embellished
with a raunchy half nude torso painted by an unknown artist. It also
carried a smaller emblem featuring cowboy boots in a circle positioned
below the pilot's windows. This may have been the source of White's later
nose art painting. Transferred into 96BG on 6th July '43, this
B17F crashed on take off on 5th January 1944.
"Boots III" (42-30227) arrived in 96BG in mid
June '43 and seems to have also carried the title "Wabbit Twacks". The latter name
is mentioned in a news article relating to the raid on LeBourget airfield in France on 10th
July 1943. On that occasion, it lost an engine and in the sustained fighter attacks the crew claimed
nine enemy aircraft shot down or damaged. The B17 was transferred to 401BG in mid December of the same year.
"Boots IV" reached Snetterton in early October 1943 and Johnnie White
painted an enlarged motif displaying the cowboy boots and (curiously)
a red and white striped top hat. Mission symbols were added in a circle around the outer rim of the design.
More than 22 missions were completed and at least five of these sustained battle
damage, the last so far recorded being from Berlin flak on 24th May '44. At some
time after this date, "Boots IV" was transferred out of 96BG and sent to the
Mediterranean area. No record has been found of combat flying with
any of the 15AF's 5th Bomb Wing units and it is assumed that the veteran Fort was
taken off operations and used as a liaison plane. In whatever role it was, "Boots IV"
outlasted the war by many months and did not return to the USA until January 1947.
© Ray Bowden
