41-34913 Flounder Gus

Lieutenant Richard H Lightning, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associate media-379993.jpg FRE 1197 Lieutenant Richard H Lightfine, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo shows 2nd Lieut. Richard. H . Lightfine of Garden City N.Y. with the Marauder pilots mascot, "Trea", the Great Dane who accompanies them all on practice missions.' Roger Freeman Collection

JMF

Object Number - FRE 1197 - Lieutenant Richard H Lightfine, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on...

The B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34913) "Flounder Gus" was flown by pilot Richard H Lightfine of the 454th Bomb Squadron of the 323rd Bomb Group, as part of the 9th Air Force. The aircraft was originally based at Earles Colne and took part in the first mission of the 323rd Bomb Group to the Abbeville Marshaling Yards on July 16, 1943.

Connections

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Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Lieutenant Richard H Lightning, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associate
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Mascot
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 454th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Flight Surgeon/Pet
Second Lieutenant Richard H. Lightfine of the 323rd Bomb Group with a "Trea" a dog mascot in the cockpit of a B-26 Marauder, 24 July 1943. Not To Be Published 24 Jul 1943, Passed for publication 10 Aug 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fastest Medium Bomber In Use Now Operating From This Country. One of the fastest and best-proteted medium bombers in use - fitted with two 2,000 h.p. engines and heavily-armoured - the B-26, known as the Marauder, is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 454th Bomb Squadron 455th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12052529
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Revisions

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ContributorJMF
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Sources

JMF

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Contributorrossingtonj
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IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

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Contributorrossingtonj
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Sources

323rd Bomb Group Association Website, 454th Bomb Squadron Aircraft List: http://www.323bg454bs.org/Assets/PdfFiles/454th%20Aircraft.pdf

41-34913: Gallery (3 items)