Wardlaw McGill Hammond Jr
MilitaryImage stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 12 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '296491.' [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo shows: The pilot and co-pilot talking with Captain RJ White.
Left to right: Lieut Wardlaw Hammond, co-pilot of Philadelphia, Penn: Lieut Walter B Keith, pilot, of Hodgeville, Kentucky: and Capt RJ White of Kingsport, Tenn, who rescued the navigator from the burning plane. G. 11th December 1943. PN.'
Press caption for image series: 'FLYING FORTRESS CREW BACK IN ACTION FOLLOWING CRASH ON ENGLISH VILLAGE. All but two of the crew of a Flying Fortress which crashed on the village of Deenethorpe, Northamptonshire, and exploded with its cargo of bombs following the fire which broke out inside the bomber, are back on operational duties with the Eighth Air Force. The navigator and bomb-aimer are still in hospital, recovering from injuries. They were rescued from the blazing Fortress shortly before the explosion. Gai. December 11 1943. Note to censor: This story covers the set of four pictures under the above title.’ Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
B-17 PILOT. 31 COMBAT MISSIONS IN EUROPE INCLUDING NORMANDY. B-17G #42-31202 turned back at mid-channel on an operational mission on 29 Mar 1944 and the a/c ran off the runway upon landing. RTD.
Earlier, had flown on 5 December 1943 as copilot to Walter B. Keith AC B-17#42-39825 'Zenobia El Elephante 2' stalled and exploded on ground 20 minutes later. Crew had escaped and villagers warned so there were no civilian casualties and the crew could return to duty.
DFC w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, AM w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, PUC
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32577472
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34611769
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Togglier/Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron 615th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 29 March 1944
- Date: 5 December 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Benefield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / WW II Memorial website, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, Losses of 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey pp. 409-10 w/ crew pix,
href="http://www.401bg.org/Main/History/Members/Details.aspx?ID=120">http://www.401bg.org/Main/History/Members/Details.aspx?ID=120>