Ralph Jean BRADBURY

Source : JP Gentil & Angy

3 December 1921 Little Cook Pulaski County ARKANSAS

Spouse : Virginia Hilliard BRADBURY

Parents : Troy J & Lillian M BRADBERY

Siblings : Robert, Jane & Ruth

8 September 1942 Little Cook ARKANSAS 

Source : Angy

Maison Lafitte, Avenue Albine  Yvelines

B-17 Fortress - type G-30-BO - s/n 42-31732 BI*D Carré-J

"Paper Doll II"

Macr : 5231
Mission : Achères (78) Installations ferroviaires

Transportation Plan (Voir explication)

Décollage station 153 Framlingham, Suffolk

Shot down by the flak

Aircraft partially evacuated before the in-flight explosion with the rest of the crew

 CEMTERY TEMPORARY of  Solers Melun N°3568

Story of Cemetery Temporary 

Map of Epinal American Cemetery

In 1922, the Second Lieutenant lived at 1524 College Avenue in Little Cook, his father was a manager for a large refrigerator company.

in 1940, he lived at 916 S Mapple Street still in Little Cook. His father is then an accountant and Ralph is a supervisor in a newspaper.

The 390th Group entered into action in July 1943, its role was adapted to the needs of the terrestrial troops, for example, the Group bombed the coast near Caen 4 days before the landing on June 6, 1944.

On June 2, 1944, the Papper Doll takes off from Framlingham station in England, it is shot down by the DCA, engine on fire, the B17 turns around and docks near Lafitte house in France.

To note

Paper Doll was a hit song by the Mills Brothers in the United States, it held first place on the Billboard chart for 12 weeks, from November 6, 1943 to January 22, 1944.

Source : Andy

Source : Andy

Second Lieutenant Ralph J. Bradbury, born in 1922, was the son of Troy J. and Lillian J. (Martin) Bradbury of 1323 Pine Valley Rd., Little Rock, Arkansas. He left a wife, Virginia W. Bradbury at 1104 North Tyler Street in Little Rock.

In the 1930 census 8 year-old Ralph is living with his parents and 5 younger siblings at 1524 College Ave., in Little Rock. His father is a credit manager for a wholesale refrigerator company. In the 1940 census 18 year-old Ralph is living with his parents and 5 younger siblings at 916 S Maple Street in Little Rock. His father is a bookkeeper for a storage warehouse. Ralph is a supervisor at a newspaper.

Ralph enlisted in the air corps 8 Spe 1942 at Little Rock and was assigned to the 568th Bomb Squadron of the 390th Bomb Group.

The 390th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Framlingham, Suffolk, between July 1943 and the end of the war in Europe. The Group was engaged in strategic missions until the invasion of Europe when its role became more of a tactical one. This tactical role was more attuned to the needs of ground forces. For instance, the Group bombed the coast near Caen fifteen minutes before the landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

Lt Bradbury was the bombardier on B-17 #42-31732 “Paper Doll II” piloted by Lt Robert Evey Crouch. Paper Doll II was shot down 2 Jun 1944 when flak hit and set the #3 engine on fire, the ship spun in and crashed near Maisons-Laffitte, ten miles NW of Paris. 7 KIA, 3 POW.

Missing Air Crew Report 5231. "Paper Doll" was a hit song for The Mills Brothers. In the United States it held the number-one position on the Billboard singles chart for twelve weeks, from November 6, 1943, to January 22, 1944. 

Source : Andy

Source : Andy

DU 2 MARS AU 5 JUIN 1944 MISE EN OEUVRE DU "TRANSPORTATION PLAN" ALLIÉ

 Etude réalisée par Michel Coste

Source : Francecrashes39-45.net

Crew of B-17 Fortress - type G-30-BO - s/n 42-31732 BI*D Carré-J

"Paper Doll II"