FRE 1618
IMAGESergeant Milton C Schwermer and Staff Sergeant Willis P Roy of the 390th Bomb Group pass their new dog mascot "Eager" through the waist gun position of their B-17 Flying Fortress to their fellow airman Sergeant Swen A Zetterberg. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '280607.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'REGENSBURG RAIDERS RETURN FROM NORTH AFRICA - BOMBING BORDEAUX EN ROUTE. United States Eighth Air Force Flying Fortresses, returning from Africa after bombing Regensburg, Germany, on August 17, attack an assembly plant in Bordeaux during daylight yesterday, August 24. Good bombing results were reported , and opposition was not severe. Seven enemy aircraft were destroyed by the heavy bombers. When the crews landed at their British bases they carried souvenirs obtained during their six-day stay in Africa including Fezzes, Arab knives, battle trophies from the North African campaign and a pet terrier renamed "EAGER". Associated Press Photo shows: "Eager a terrier mascot “picked up" in Africa by airmen of U.S.A.A.F. who made the heavy raid on Regensburg and bombed Bordeaux on the return flight to Britain, wears an appropriate sphinx-like expression as he is handed down from a Fortress bomber which participated in the two-way raid. In the cabin of the Fortress are Sgt. Milton C. Schwermer, 19, Ball turret gunner, of Michigan city, Ind., (left )and S/Sgt. Willis P. Roy, 23-year-old Radio Operator from ST. Paul, Minn. receiving "Eager" is SGT. Swen A Zetterberg, 19 Waist-gunner, whose home is in Rookford, Ill. 259968 25843 U.’
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Mascot
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group
- Role/Job: Mascot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16123193
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Locations
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham