media-458164.jpg FRE 10449 The crew of a 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress have a last-minute briefing before they board to take-off. The engineer (standing in the back row) has not been identified; the remainder of the crew are, from left to right: Lieutenant R.L. Caukin, bombardier from Los Angeles, California; Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, tail gunner from Cisco, Texas; Lieutenant John H. Perkins, co-pilot from Chicago; Lieutenant H.B. West, navigator from Fall River, Massachusetts; Staff Sergeant Gerald W. Brookman, waist gunner from Wichita Falls, Texas; Technical Sergeant Homer B. Ramsey, radio operator from Bakersfield, California; and Lieutenant Charles O. Cramer, pilot. Stooping in front - left to right: Staff Sergeant Lyle F. Horton, ball gunner from Morgrantown, West Virginia; and Staff Sergeant W.L. Jameson, waist gunner from Lima, Ohio. Passed for publication 21 Apr 1943.

Printed caption on reverse: 'No. 9. Fortress Pilot talks to his crew. Lieut. Charles O. Cramer (Right) giving last-minute instructions to his men. Left to right: Lieut. R.L. Caukin, Los Angeles Cal. (bomber); S/Sergt. James L. Stafford, Cisco Texas (Tail Gunner); Lieut. John H. Perkins Chigago[sic] (Co-Pilot); Lieut. H.B. West, Fall River, Mass. (Navigator); S/Sergt. Gerald W. Brookman, Wichita Falls, Texas (Waist Gunner); T/Sergt. Homer B. Ramsey, Bakersfield, Cal. (Radio). Stooping in front - left to right: S/Sergt. Lyle F. Horton, Morgrantown, West Virginia (ball gunner); and S/Sergt. W.L. Jameson, Lima, Ohio (waist gunner).' Censor no: 259778. On reverse: Planet News Ltd., US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection