SSgt Steve Ukropen, left waist gunner of the B-17 42-29692 “Man O War”, took off from station 468 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK on a bombing mission against Rennes’ maritime warehouses in the ongoing effort against U-boats. After a successful drop with only light flak, the bombers turned for home with a tail of German fighters with some wartime aces at their head. “Man O War” ‘s section had to slow down due to damage sustained by flak, and the German fighters took full advantage of their separation. Coupled with renewed heavy flak, the section suffered, and “Man O War” was shot down by flak. Ukropen is shown in this picture on the left.