The Knockout Dropper: 50th Mission

I've been obsessed with the myriad history of World War II.  Specifically the Flying Fortress of the U.S. Eighth Airforce.  Exactly, about a plane that completed 75 missions, The Knockout Dropper.  It was a B-17 that came through the war with little damage, and was scrapped at Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1945.

My father (1st Lt John P. Manning) was the Knockout Dropper's pilot for it's historic 50th combat mission.  He wasn't one to ever speak much about the war so most of what I know has been through research and old newspaper clippings that I am fortunate to have copies of. He also left a journal of his time at Molesworth, England that I found when he was dying.  All my siblings have copies of it, and my mother has the original.

There were many heroes from the men and women who served in WW II.  I don't mean to dismiss any of them.  This particular blog post is just focused on referral to the U.S. Eighth Airforce that mentions the Knockout Dropper.  Here are some books that I have found that mention the B-17.




These two for sure mention the Knockout Dropper's 50th mission.









These look good also:

• USAAF Heavy Bomber Units ETO and MTO 1942-45. Aircam/Airwar No 2
• Great American Bombers of World War II 

My dad's flying history while based in England for the European theatre was probably pretty much like other heroes - it's just that he was my dad, and I have wanted to know more about that plane and that event that seems harder to research as time passes.  Perhaps you would like to know more about it also? There is much more offered in my article, "The Knockout Dropper: 75 Combat Missions," that you may find helpful.