Rusty the Spaniel
Mascot
media-379084.jpg
FRE 649
Pilot Officer "Rusty", the mascot of the 44th Bomb Group, stands in front of a B-24 Liberator at Shipdham. Image stamped with Ministry of Information press censor, 25 October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many missions. Pilot Officer "Rusty" - mascot of a liberator operating from this country, was flown to England from the U.S. He has "taken part" in numerous bombing raids including that made on the oilfields at Ploesti. Associated Press Photo Shows: "Rusty" sits nonchalantly on top of a 500lb bomb while waiting to take part in yet another raid on enemy-occupied territory. TET 261676/7 241043Y' NB: The phrase 'including that made on the oilfields at Ploesti' has been crossed out by censor.
Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Pilot Officer Rusty was the Mascot of the 44th Bomb Group. He was flown to England with his owner, Robert C Peterson and even took part in several bombing missions. He is said to have taken part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on the oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania.
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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Navigator
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description: