Lieutenant Lester A. Gibson, Colonel Maurice A. Preston and Major Otis E Parks of the 379th Bomb Group enjoy a meal after returning from a mission. Handwritten caption on reverse: '47.'. Censor no: 298752. On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'THE LEADERS TALK IT OVER. Associated Press Photo Shows: The leaders of yesterday's ( January 4) raid on Germany - Berlin Radio said that Kiel was the target - Exchange experiences as they enjoy a hot meal on their return. They are (Left to Right): Lt Lester A. Gibson, tailgunner and observer in lead plane over the target, of 8214 Tumet St., Detroit, Mich; Col. Maurice A. Preston, Pilot and C.O. of the lead ship of the combat wing, of Tulare, Calif., and Major Otis E. Parks, of 1225 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, Georgia, who led the low group of the combat wing which was first over the target. Col. Preston Flew the ship, "RAGIN RED II" and Major Parks the "Stump Jumper". IRV 263666 5144Y.' [ caption].

Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group study official bomb strike photos following a raid. Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and Passed 22 Feb 1944.' [stamp], '307063.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '2,000 planes strike at Reich again. For the first time, an all-American air force numbering 2,000 bomber and fighter aircraft took the air on Monday Feb 21st when they launched a massive raid on German air factories and aerodrome repair depots at Brunswick and North West Germany. Photo shows:- Viewing the strike photos of the raid. Left to right:- Lt. Col. Louis W. Rohr, Teaneck JN, group operations officer; Colonel Maurice A. Preston, Tulare, California, Commanding Officer of the Fort Group; and Major Marcus M. Elliott, Los-Angeles, group leader, viewing the official bomb strike photos shortly after returning from the highly successful raid over Germany. US Pool/ FP/H Keystone.'

A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group return to base after a raid on Kiel in their B-17 Flying Fortress. Identified are Major Marcus M Elliott with his back to camera, Lt. Col. Louis W. Rohr (centre), Col. Maurice A Preston (wearing overcoat). Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Jan 1944.' [stamp] ad '298987.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'BACK FROM RAID IN KIEL. Ninety-five German fighters were shot down during heavy, widespread raids by Forts and Liberators yesterday, January 5, when the big bombers spread their blows from Kiel, on the Baltic to Bordeaux, near France's southern coast- 900 miles apart. Over Kiel, swarms of rocket firing planes met the big US bombers which attacked in clear visibility. The Germans hurriedly laid a smoke-screen in an effort to conceal the target, but the bombs were sunk squarely home, starting many fires and causing explosions. Associated Press Photo Shows: Lt. Col. Louis W. Rohr (centre wearing electrically heated monkey suit), of 844 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, NJ, reports on the raid to Col. Maurice A Preston (wearing overcoat), of Tulare, Calif, base commander. "It was tough getting to the target, said Rohr, "But after we got our bombs away we stopped working for Uncle Sam and started working for ourselves- fighting off the Jerry fighters".'

Colonel Maurice "Mo" Preston Commander of the 379th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Aircraft was his personal "Hack" and later became an assembly ship. Aircraft # 41-9100 "The Birmingham Blitzkrieg" Squadron fuselage code was FR-U. Handwritten caption on reverse: '161.' Press caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].

Colonel Maurice A. Preston talks to a bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, led by Major William C Sipes, after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Ragin' Red", 1 Jan 1944. Passed for publication 1 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- Colonel Maurice A. Preston, of Tulare, California, C.O. of the bomb group, on left, greeting the leader of the group, Major William C. Sipes, of Tuscan, Arizona (third from right) and other members of his crew after the mission. On right, Major Ralph E. Wise, of Rochester, Minnesota, the flight-surgeon who accompanied the crew as observer; third from left, Captain Frank N. Ashley, of St. Paul, Minnesota, co-pilot; second from left, Lt. Charles A. Moore, of Lewisville, Texas, tail gunner; and Captain Joseph G. Wall, of Lynn, Mass., navigator, and Captain Edwin H. Millson, of Seattle, Washington, bombardier. And. January 1st, 1944. PN.' Censor no: 298289. On reverse: Planet News and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

"A crew of the 379th Bomb Group poses beside a Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" at an 8th Air Force base in England, 29 June 1943." Rear L-R: Maj Andrew K. Dutch III, Unkn. Col Louis W Rohr, Unkn. Lt Col Joseph A. Brown, Col Maurice A. Preston Front L-R: Garland H Morgan. Harold E Forrest. Robert J Redmon. Robert H Fernstaedt. Unkn.