James F Osborne

Military
Lieutenant-Colonel Baskin Lawrence, Lieutenant Chauncey Hicks and Staff Sergeant Willaim Zeigler of the 91st Bomb Group visit Technical Sergeant James Osborne, who was injured when their B-17 Flying Fortress (LL-Y, serial number 42-29797) nicknamed "Old Ironsides" crashed into the Channel on return from a mission over Germany. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 21 Jun 1943 [censor has added 'also passed U.S.']' [stamp] and '271235' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'SAIDMAN. ILLUS. 2 media-379155.jpg FRE 718 Lieutenant-Colonel Baskin Lawrence, Lieutenant Chauncey Hicks and Staff Sergeant Willaim Zeigler of the 91st Bomb Group visit Technical Sergeant James Osborne in hospital, who was injured when their B-17 Flying Fortress (LL-Y, serial number 42-29797) nicknamed "Old Ironsides" crashed into the Channel on return from a mission over Germany. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 21 Jun 1943' [stamp] and '271235' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'SAIDMAN. ILLUS. 23.8.43. U.S.AIR FORCE. O.P.S.2 Wounded Flying Fortress Radio man rescued from the water by R.A.F. Air-Sea Rescue Service Technical Sgt. James F Osborne of Huntingdon, West Virginia, went down into the Channel in his ship OLD IRONSIDES on the return the Huls raid. "Those ol' Spits" Sgt. Osborne tells his Commanding Officer Lieut.Col. Baskin Lawrence, "were a life saver". "They brought the boat right to us in 30 minutes". Standing on the left is the wounded bombardier of Old Ironsides, Lieut. Chauncey Hicks, Huntingdon, West Virginia, still dressed in the R.A.F uniform issued him for dry clothes. On the right is the wounded Tail gunner, S/Sgt. William G. Zeigler, Erie, Pa., also a temporary R.A.F recruit [obscured by censor]' Handwritten caption on reverse: '229797 LL-Y, USAAF. OLD IRONSIDES, Lt Col Baskin Lawrence CO 91BG.' Roger Freeman Collection

FRE 718

Object Number - FRE 718 - Lieutenant-Colonel Baskin Lawrence, Lieutenant Chauncey Hicks and Staff Sergeant Willaim Zeigler of the 91st Bomb Group visit Technical Sergeant...

B-17 #4229797 'Old Ironsides' ditched in North Sea on 22 June 1943. Returned to base.



MISSION TO HULS, GERMANY 22 June 1943



FLAK: Meagre, inaccurate flak reported on the way in and way out. Heavy accurate flak in the target area.



ENEMY AIRCRAFT: Worst E/A opposition experienced to date, by far. 150 E/A composed of

FW 190’s, Ju 88’s attacked this formation from all around the clock. Some crews reported

receiving as many as 50 to 60 separate attacks. E/A pressed home their attacks singly, and in groups from 3 to 15. The attacks came after leaving the target area.



CASUALTIES:

A/C # 797 – S/Sgt. E. Linberg – Drowned in North Sea.



SPECIAL NOTE: A/C #797 was heavily damaged by flak, and received heavy and constant attacks from E/A, finally forcing it down into the Channel. The crew was in the water for about 30 minutes when it was picked up by the Air-Sea rescue. All crew members were safe, except for minor injuries with the exception of S/Sgt. E. Lindberg, who was drowned. The crew was composed of: Lt. B.Peek (P), Lt. F. A, Porada (CP), Lt. G. B. Williams (N), Lt. C. H. Hicks (B), T/Sgt. R. R. Thompson, S/Sgt. N. F. Swierz, T/Sgt. J. F. Osborne, S/Sgts. R. D. Hatton, E. Lindberg, W. G. Zeigler.



1 Lts. Peek, Porada, 2 Lts. Hicks, G. B. Williams duty to leave at Stanbridge Earl’s Rest Home per Par 2; T/Sgts. Osborne, Thompson, S/Sgts. Hatton, Zeigler duty to leave at Moalsford Manor per Par 3, SO 111, AAF station 121, July 1, 1943.



June 22, 1943 - 2nd Evac Hospital

July 1, 1943 - Moalsford Manor

July 12, 1943 - Leave to Duty

USAAF Station 121

Bassingbourn, England



POW: #113369 - 27 Months

Rank: Techn.Sgt on Fortress KU 111

Captured: 27.08.1943 in France "gesund" after parachute drop

Internment: 27.08.1943 POW in German hands

11.09.1943 transferred from Dulag Luft to Stalag VII A; Stalag XVII B

Source: 3 - German authorities

1 - American Camp Leader

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

Lieutenant-Colonel Baskin Lawrence, Lieutenant Chauncey Hicks and Staff Sergeant Willaim Zeigler of the 91st Bomb Group visit Technical Sergeant James Osborne, who was injured when their B-17 Flying Fortress (LL-Y, serial number 42-29797) nicknamed "Old Ironsides" crashed into the Channel on return from a mission over Germany. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 21 Jun 1943 [censor has added 'also passed U.S.']' [stamp] and '271235' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'SAIDMAN. ILLUS. 2
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Old Ironsides
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributor7thWarrior
Changes
Sources

Gary L. Osborne, son of James F. Osborne
Information taken from my father's honorable discharge and from the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva

Date
Contributor7thWarrior
Changes
Sources

Gary L. Osborne, son of James F. Osborne
Information taken from my father's honorable discharge and from the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva

Date
Contributor7thWarrior
Changes
Sources

Gary L. Osborne, son of James F. Osborne
Information taken from my father's honorable discharge and from the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Roll of Honor

James F Osborne: Gallery (1 items)