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This contains information written on the back of the original print and some of it may be inaccurate.
Sergeant Thomas J. Zettervall, of the 353rd Fighter Group, chalks the message 'The bolt from Yanks' onto a 500 lb bomb that will be dropped by one of the group's P-47 Thunderbolts. Probably taken at Metfield air base where the 353rd Fighter Group was based between 3 August 1943 and 12 April 1944. First passed for publication 28 November 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. Fighter Now Carry Bombs. U.S. Army Air Force fighters recently sprang a surprise on the Luftwaffe when they carried bombs for the first time, the P.47 Thunderbolt, America's fastest fighter plane hitherto used mainly as escort for day bombers, has now been adapted to carry 500 lb bombs. The bomb is carried under the fuselage where if necessary, the extra "belly" fuel tank is carried. Photo shows: Putting the "Bolt" in a Thunderbolt. Sgt. Thomas Zetterval of Portland, Virginia [actually Oregon], chalks a message on a 500 lb bomb before bombing up at U.S. Army Air Force station in Britain. G. November 1943. PN.'
Group
The 353rd Fighter Group was assigned to the Eighth Air Force on 7 June 1943. The group flew P-47 Thunderbolts, and from October 1944, P-51 Mustangs, as escorts for bombing missions across occupied Europe and to strafe targets on the ground. Tactical...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Ground crew
Assigned to 353FG, 8AF USAAF.
Military site : airfield
Built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, Metfield had three concrete runways, 39 pan plus 15 loop hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. It was first occupied by the 353rd Fighter Group, equipped with P-47s, from August 1943 to...
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 08 September 2014 15:41:15 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection |
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