42-30793 Tom Paine

Airmen of the 388th Bomb Group climb aboard their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30793) nicknamed "Tom Paine" before a mission. Written on slide casing: 'Tom Paine.' media-395296.jpg FRE 6461 Airmen of the 388th Bomb Group climb aboard their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30793) nicknamed "Tom Paine" before a mission. Written on slide casing: 'Tom Paine.' Roger Freeman Collection

Page 88, The Mighty Eighth in Color, Roger Freeman.

Object Number - FRE 6461 - Airmen of the 388th Bomb Group climb aboard their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30793) nicknamed "Tom Paine" before a mission. Written on...

Named Tom Paine after a famous soldier who served in the American Army during the War of Independence after the airmen of the 562nd after they found out that he had been born in the nearby town of Thetford. Was chosen to promote Anglo-American co-operation through showing links between the two nations though seen as insensitive by many in Thetford where Paine was seen as a traitor against Britain.



Delivered Cheyenne 29/7/43; Dyersburg 8/8/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 3/9/43; Provided navigational assistance for Aphrodite [remote controlled, explosive packed, flying bomber] mission to V1 missile site at Wisternes, France, 4-8-44.

Crashed Ellough, Norfolk, on return from a mission with Bob McWhite; Salvaged 11/4/44. TOM PAINE.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-470766 (14044069 on enlistment)
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-671213
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37429547
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12201690
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Aerial photograph of Beccles airfield, looking south 29 February 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC188. English Heritage (USAAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Ellough

Missions

  • Date: 6 August 1944
  • Date: 4 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

34 Combat missions

Europe 26 September 1943 - 24 December 1944 34 missions (29 credited between 26 sept 43 and 24 dec 44).

Crashed

Ellough, Beccles, Suffolk NR34, UK 11 April 1944 Crashed Ellough, Norfolk, on return from a mission. Pilot Lt Bob McWhite.

Other

Salvaged / Repaired

Ellough, Beccles, Suffolk NR34, UK 12 April 1944

Other

Aphrodite mission

Wizernes, France 4 August 1944 Provided navigational assistance for Aphrodite [remote controlled, explosive packed, flying bomber] mission to V1 missile site at Wizernes, France, 4-8-44.

Assigned

Knettishall, Diss, Suffolk IP22, UK Replacement sent to 562nd Bomb Squadron.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 By Graham Simons

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 By Graham Simons

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 by Graham Simons

Date
Contributorjrugman
Changes
Sources

Page 88, The Mighty Eighth in Color, Roger Freeman

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3983 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-30793: Gallery (5 items)