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A B-17 Flying Fortress (LG-W, serial number 41-24511) nicknamed "Wheel and Deal", of the 322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group. One of the aircraft's engines has had its propeller shot off. Passed for publication 24 Mar 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Passed by the Censor - No. 254771. Flying Fortress Reaches Base After Raid On Wilhelmshaven With One Propellor Shot Away. The German naval base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attacked in daylight on March 22 by American Flying Fortresses and Liberators. This was the third heavy raid carried out by U.S. bombers on Wilhelmshaven. Despite strong fighter opposition the bombers battled their way to the target and dropped their bombs. Three bombers did not return. Associated Press Photo Shows: How one Flying Fortress, named "Wheel and Deal" eventually reached its British base after the raid - with one of the propellers shot clean away. With only three engines she limped home sucessfully, and here memebrs of the crew are seen discussing the exploit after their return.' On reverse: Associated Press Ltd. [Stamp]. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Prop shot off "Wheel and Deal", 22/3/43. 91BG, 124511 W-LG.' On reverse: Associated Press and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Print No: 254771
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A bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group stand beneath the damaged engine on a B-17 (LG-W, serial number 41-24511) nicknamed "Wheel and Deal". Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 24 March 1943.' Printed caption on reverse: 'FORTRESSES DAY RAID ON WILHELMSHAVEN The German naval base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attacked in daylight March 22 by American Flying Fortresses and Liberators. This was the third heavy raid for the U.S. bombers on Wilhelmshaven despite strong fighter opposition the bombers battled their way to the target and dropped their loads of explosives. Three bombers were lost. Associated Press Photos show, the crew of a fortress called Wheel and Deal in front of their bomber which had prop of one engine shot away. WCR (16 PIX) 23343. Note to Photo Censor, we have names and home-towns for all men photographed including interrogating officer. If any objection to use of names please advise AP' Handwritten caption on reverse: '91 BG, 22/3/43 "Wheel & Deal"'
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Sgt William E. Roller, 91thBomb Group, 322nd BS. Tailgunner of "Wheel 'N Deal". Went down on Dec 1, 1943.
Sgt William E. Roller is still Missing in Action...
Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-W] Westover 15/8/42; Thurleigh 13/10/42; transferred 322BS/91BG [LG-W] Bassingbourn 4/43; taxi accident with Bill Broley 16/4/43; Missing in Action Solingen 22+m 1/12/43 with John Wennerberg, Co-pilot: Bob Dickson, Navigator: Gene Cohalan, Bombardier: John Temple, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Squire Baker, Radio Operator: Nick Nicoletti, Ball turret gunner: Morris Schendleman, Waist gunner: Stan Kacprzyk, Waist gunner: Bill Cole (9 Prisoner of War),Tail gunner: Bill Roller (Killed in Action); flak hit #3, then another KO’d batteries, crashed River Rhine between Dusseldorf & Duisburg, Ger.. Missing Air Crew Report 1323. WHEEL 'N DEAL.
Service
Units
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Group
The 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated at Harding Field, Louisiana on 15-April-1942 and went to MacDill Field, Florida for the first phase of training from 16-May-1942 to 25-June-1942. The Group was then assigned to 2nd Air Force at Walla...
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People
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Military | Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 1 December 1943 in B-17 #4124511 'Wheel and Deal. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Places
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Military site : airfield
Now home to a museum all about the aifield and its USAAF residents (http://www.towermuseumbassingbourn.co.uk/) , Bassingbourn opened in 1938 as part of the RAF's pre-war expansion programme. The RAF continued to use it until late in 1942 when its long...
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Military site : airfield
Built for RAF use in 1941-42, Thurleigh was initially used by RAF Bomber Command before being handed over to the Eighth Air Force. Its runways and hardstandings were improved, and the B-17s of the 306th Bomb Group began using the base. It was their...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany |
1 December 1943 |