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The crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-T, serial number 42-5077) nicknamed "Delta Rebel No II" at Bassingbourn. Image stamped on reverse: ’Reviewed and Passed U.S Army 24 Mar 1943 Press Censor No 21 E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]. 'Passed for publication 24 MAR 1943 INTLD 32 Central Section Press Censorship Bureau' [stamp on appendage]. 'Associated Press' [stamp]. '254760' [Censor no]. 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: Crew of the Delta Rebel which had just completed its 21st operational flight WCR (6 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.'
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The 'Delta Rebel' lived through 32 raids with relatively little serious damage. None of her crew was seriously injured. Her engines seemed to catch most of the flak and bullets and during her lifetime she underwent 11 engine changes.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A13286-A27293AC.
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Ground crew of the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Delta Rebel' overhaul one of the engines at the 91st Bomb Group Base in Bassingbourne, England. 16 March 1943.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A13328-69450AC.
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Capt George P Birdsong and crew of the 323rd Bomb Sqn, 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, beside a Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Delta Rebel'. England, 16 June 1943.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A10603-C62755AC.
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A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Delta Rebel' of tThe 323rd Bomb Group, 91st Bomb Group approaches the landing strip at Bassingbourne, England after a successful raid on Nazi installations on 10 July 1943.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A06110-69504AC.
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Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 42-5077 'Delta Rebel' on way to target in Germany. B-17 42-5225 'Stormy Weather' in the background.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A06133-A25549AC.
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Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 42-5077 'Delta Rebel' in England on way to bombing target in Germany.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A06132-25549AC.
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Capt Clark Gable peers out of a waist gunner's window on a Boeing B-17 to answer questions during an interview, 6 June 1943. 351st Bomb Group, England.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A46689-66587AC.
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Actor-turned gunnery instructor Clark Gable, during a well-publicized visit to Bassingbourn, takes time to pose with B-17F 42-5077 "Delta Rebel No. 2" (coded OR-T) of the 323rd Bomb Sq, 91st BG.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A45659-27293AC.
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The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 42-5077 "Delta Rebel" of the 91st Bomb Group, based at Bassingbourne, England, waits for the signal to take-off on a mission over Nazi installations in Europe.
NAR Ref 342-FH-3A05853-B25550AC.
Delivered Tulsa 15/9/42; Bangor 11/10/42; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-T] Bassingbourn 15/10/42; Missing in Action 33m Gelsenkirchen 12/8/43 with Bob Thompson, Co-pilot: Serge Klinkow, Navigator: George Lausted, Bombardier: Mike Couzzi, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Carroll Goodwin, Radio Operator: Bob Brooks (6 Prisoner of War); Ball turret gunner: Wayne Kienberger, Waist gunner: Bob Ziernicki,Tail gunner: Chas Blonstein, Waist gunner: Micky Lengyel (4 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft set ship ablaze, crashed Brunninghausen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 261. (possibly completed 25 missions before Memphis Belle). DELTA REBEL No. 2.
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 | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Flew 25 missions on 'Delta Rebel #2'
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Military | Captain | Pilot | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Flew 25 missions as pilot on 'Delta Rebel #2'
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 12 August 1943 in B-17 #425077 'Delta Rebel. ' Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 12 August 1943 in B-17 #425077 'Delta Rebel. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Flew 25 missions on 'Delta Rebel #2'
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Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Flew 25 missions on 'Delta Rebel #2'
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 12 August 1943 in B-17 #425077 'Delta Rebel. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Crew Chief | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
crew chief on 'Delta Rebel #2'
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Shot down 12 August 1943 in B-17 #425077 'Delta Rebel. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars
Show more
Missions
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12 August 1943
This mission is separated into two elements. The first element is a combined force of 183 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division: 91BG (22); 92BG (19); 303BG (20); 305BG (20); 306BG (20); 351BG (21); 379BG (21); 381BG (20); and 384BG (20) are dispatched to bomb...
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...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany |
12 August 1943 |