The 97th Bomb Group is famous for flying the first All American Flying Fortress bombing mission originating from Grafton Underwood against German occupied territory in Europe on August 17, 1942 by attacking the railway marshalling yards at Sotteville-lès-Rouen in France. The lead aircraft in the first flight group of six B-17's was "Butcher Shop", which was copiloted by the Group Commander Colonel Frank A. Armstrong, and piloted by the squadron commander of the 340th Captain Paul W. Tibbets (who later flew the "Enola Gay" to Hiroshima Japan on the first atomic bomb mission). The lead aircraft in the second flight group of six B-17's was "B-17E Yankee Doodle 41-9023", which was copiloted by 2nd Lt. John R. Dowswell and piloted by Captain Rudolph Emil "Rudy" Flack the squadron commander of the 414th, Grafton Underwood base commander and mission commander (http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/246743), and who carried Brig. General Ira C. Eaker the commander of the VIII Bomber Command as an observer on board his Flying Fortress.