![Douglas Newton Taylor was born in New Haven, CT on 19 February 1915. His mother passed away when Doug and his brother Howard were young. Their father, Albert, was an engineer working in the Central Americas, so Doug and Howard lived with their aunt in Columbus, OH. They attended Ohio State University and served with Ohio National Guard, Doug reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. Doug had obtained his private pilot’s license and began Aviation Cadet training 9 December 1941, then was assigned the B-26 Operational Training Unit, McDill Field, Tampa, FL.
In early 1943 he met Quinnelle Bass [nickname Quinney] in nearby Lakeland; she was in the U.S, Army working on recruiting campaigns and considered a radio pioneer, the first women in broadcasting in the Southern US. They married on 2 February prior to Doug’s deployment to the 320th Bomb Group in North Africa.
On March 12 he departed Mobile, Alabama crossed the Gulf of Mexico, flew over Tarpon Springs, Florida and dropped a note tied to a rock [See photo: Object number UPL 45125]. He eventually flew the South Atlantic Air Route to join the 320th Bomb Group in Tafaraoui, Algeria. Doug he served with the 444th Bomb Squadron, and then pilot of the Group’s courier service aircraft until end of the War.
He flew 20 Combat missions, 4 as Group lead, with the 444th Bomb Squadron until he suffered a back injury in the crash landing of 41-17792 “NANA” [See Photo: Object number UPL 45122] on 8 July 1943. He remained with the Group as pilot of their courier aircraft [See photo: Object number UPL 45132 “Li'L Woman”, tail number: 43-49203] until War’s end.
At the end of the war, Doug landed near Barth, West Pomerania, Germany to transport freed POWs from Stalag Luft I. One of the former prisoners was
Francis Stanley](http://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/media/media-45139.jpeg?itok=wrqTcq38)
![Quinnelle Bass [nickname Quinney] was born in Leslie, Georgia and later moved to Lakeland, FL with her mother and stepfather. She was a radio pioneer, the first on-air female in broadcasting in the Southern US, as well as established new radio stations. She joined the Women's Army Corps and worked on regional in-person, print and radio recruiting campaigns. While in Lakeland, she met 1LT Douglas Newton Taylor, marrying him the month prior to his deployment to the 320th Bomb Group in North Africa.
She was away on assignment when he departed the US ferrying a B-26 along South Atlantic Air Route. Doug diverted his route to Tarpon Springs, FL dropping a note tied to a rock [See photo: Object number UPL 45125] in the yard of his father and stepmother.
After 20 combat missions Doug was injured in a crash landing, upon return to service he became the pilot of the Group's courier aircraft C-47 43-49203. Doug named this aircraft](http://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/media/media-45140.jpeg?itok=8wAxK7nf)
441st Bomb Squadron
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320th Bomb Group
Group
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B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-107783) nicknamed "Thumper II" of the 320th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force in flight.
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1LT Douglas Newton Taylor
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Li'L Woman, tail number: 43-49203 the courier aircraft of the 320th Bomb Group, unknown date and location. The pilot is Douglas Newton Taylor, copilot is 1LT Jasinowski, first name unknown It is thought that this is the aircraft that Doug landed near Barth, West Pomerania, Germany to transport freed POWs from Stalag Luft I. One of the former prisoners was Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski of the 56th Fighter Group.
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Li'L Woman, courier aircraft of the 320th Bomb Group, piloted by Douglas Newton Taylor from late 1943 until the end of the war. It is thought that this is the aircraft that Doug landed near Barth, West Pomerania, Germany to transport freed POWs from Stalag Luft I. One of the former prisoners was Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski of the 56th Fighter Group.
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Written on back of the photograph "Loading copter" Douglas Newton Taylor is left center, on the right is the copilot "Jas" 1LT Jasinowski, first name unknown, other individuals are unidentified. Date and location are unknown
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![Douglas Newton Taylor was born in New Haven, CT on 19 February 1915. His mother passed away when Doug and his brother Howard were young. Their father, Albert, was an engineer working in the Central Americas, so Doug and Howard lived with their aunt in Columbus, OH. They attended Ohio State University and served with Ohio National Guard, Doug reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. Doug had obtained his private pilot’s license and began Aviation Cadet training 9 December 1941, then was assigned the B-26 Operational Training Unit, McDill Field, Tampa, FL.
In early 1943 he met Quinnelle Bass [nickname Quinney] in nearby Lakeland; she was in the U.S, Army working on recruiting campaigns and considered a radio pioneer, the first women in broadcasting in the Southern US. They married on 2 February prior to Doug’s deployment to the 320th Bomb Group in North Africa.
On March 12 he departed Mobile, Alabama crossed the Gulf of Mexico, flew over Tarpon Springs, Florida and dropped a note tied to a rock [See photo: Object number UPL 45125]. He eventually flew the South Atlantic Air Route to join the 320th Bomb Group in Tafaraoui, Algeria. Doug he served with the 444th Bomb Squadron, and then pilot of the Group’s courier service aircraft until end of the War.
He flew 20 Combat missions, 4 as Group lead, with the 444th Bomb Squadron until he suffered a back injury in the crash landing of 41-17792 “NANA” [See Photo: Object number UPL 45122] on 8 July 1943. He remained with the Group as pilot of their courier aircraft [See photo: Object number UPL 45132 “Li'L Woman”, tail number: 43-49203] until War’s end.
At the end of the war, Doug landed near Barth, West Pomerania, Germany to transport freed POWs from Stalag Luft I. One of the former prisoners was
Francis Stanley](http://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/media/media-45139.jpeg?itok=ecj1jvhA)
Douglas Newton Taylor was born in New Haven, CT on 19 February 1915. His mother passed away when Doug and his brother Howard were young. Their father, Albert, was an engineer working in the Central Americas, so Doug and Howard lived with their aunt in Columbus, OH. They attended Ohio State University and served with Ohio National Guard, Doug reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. Doug had obtained his private pilot’s license and began Aviation Cadet training 9 December 1941, then was assigned the B-26 Operational Training Unit, McDill Field, Tampa, FL. In early 1943 he met Quinnelle Bass [nickname Quinney] in nearby Lakeland; she was in the U.S, Army working on recruiting campaigns and considered a radio pioneer, the first women in broadcasting in the Southern US. They married on 2 February prior to Doug’s deployment to the 320th Bomb Group in North Africa. On March 12 he departed Mobile, Alabama crossed the Gulf of Mexico, flew over Tarpon Springs, Florida and dropped a note tied to a rock [See photo: Object number UPL 45125]. He eventually flew the South Atlantic Air Route to join the 320th Bomb Group in Tafaraoui, Algeria. Doug he served with the 444th Bomb Squadron, and then pilot of the Group’s courier service aircraft until end of the War. He flew 20 Combat missions, 4 as Group lead, with the 444th Bomb Squadron until he suffered a back injury in the crash landing of 41-17792 “NANA” [See Photo: Object number UPL 45122] on 8 July 1943. He remained with the Group as pilot of their courier aircraft [See photo: Object number UPL 45132 “Li'L Woman”, tail number: 43-49203] until War’s end. At the end of the war, Doug landed near Barth, West Pomerania, Germany to transport freed POWs from Stalag Luft I. One of the former prisoners was Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski of the 56th Fighter Group. Doug remained in the Air Force serving tours in the 36th Fighter-Bomber Wing, commanded by BG Robert L. Scott, in Furstenfeldbruk, Germany, later Ashiya Air Field, Japan, and finally in 1963 to Langley Air Force Base where retired.
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![Quinnelle Bass [nickname Quinney] was born in Leslie, Georgia and later moved to Lakeland, FL with her mother and stepfather. She was a radio pioneer, the first on-air female in broadcasting in the Southern US, as well as established new radio stations. She joined the Women's Army Corps and worked on regional in-person, print and radio recruiting campaigns. While in Lakeland, she met 1LT Douglas Newton Taylor, marrying him the month prior to his deployment to the 320th Bomb Group in North Africa.
She was away on assignment when he departed the US ferrying a B-26 along South Atlantic Air Route. Doug diverted his route to Tarpon Springs, FL dropping a note tied to a rock [See photo: Object number UPL 45125] in the yard of his father and stepmother.
After 20 combat missions Doug was injured in a crash landing, upon return to service he became the pilot of the Group's courier aircraft C-47 43-49203. Doug named this aircraft](http://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/media/media-45140.jpeg?itok=gBFyeUA6)
Quinnelle Bass [nickname Quinney] was born in Leslie, Georgia and later moved to Lakeland, FL with her mother and stepfather. She was a radio pioneer, the first on-air female in broadcasting in the Southern US, as well as established new radio stations. She joined the Women's Army Corps and worked on regional in-person, print and radio recruiting campaigns. While in Lakeland, she met 1LT Douglas Newton Taylor, marrying him the month prior to his deployment to the 320th Bomb Group in North Africa. She was away on assignment when he departed the US ferrying a B-26 along South Atlantic Air Route. Doug diverted his route to Tarpon Springs, FL dropping a note tied to a rock [See photo: Object number UPL 45125] in the yard of his father and stepmother. After 20 combat missions Doug was injured in a crash landing, upon return to service he became the pilot of the Group's courier aircraft C-47 43-49203. Doug named this aircraft "Li’L Woman" in honor of Quinnelle. She would no see Doug until after VE Day.
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C-47 43-49203 Li’L Woman, 3rd from left is pilot Douglas Newton Taylor, next is 1 LT Jasinowski, the others are unidentified, date and place are unknown. This may be the aircraft that Doug landed near Barth, West Pomerania, Germany to transport freed POWs from Stalag Luft I. One of the former prisoners was Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski of the 56th Fighter Group.
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Notation on back of this photo indicates that the man in the foreground is Frank Teman, Doug's roommate in flight training, dated February 1942. In early 1942 Doug was stationed at Shaw Field, South Carolina.
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41-17724 444th BS, “Red Hot” crash either on takeoff or return from bombing of the Trapani Milo Airdrome, Sicily - Jun 15, 1943. Unidentified crew Note: This photo was scanned in 2004 from 35mm negatives discovered the Taylor Family collection. Damage due from improper handling and storage.
Constituted as 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 June 1942.
Activated on 23 June 1942. Trained with B-26 aircraft. Most of the group moved to North Africa via England, August-December 1942. Crews flew their planes over the South Atlantic route and arrived in North Africa, December 1942-January 1943. Began combat with Twelfth AF in April 1943 and operated from bases in Algeria, Tunisia, Sardinia, and Corsica until November 1944. During the period from April to July 1943, flew missions against enemy shipping in the approaches to Tunisia, attacked installations in Sardinia, participated in the reduction of Pantelleria, and supported the invasion of Sicily. Then bombed marshalling yards, bridges, airdromes, road junctions, viaducts, harbors, fuel dumps, defense positions, and other targets in Italy. The 320th bomb group supported forces at Salerno and knocked out targets to aid the seizure of Naples and the crossing of the Volturno River. Flew missions to Anzio and Cassino and engaged in interdictory operations in central Italy in preparation for the advance toward Rome. Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support of Allied offensive operations in central Italy, April through June 1944. Received a DUC for a mission on 12 May 1944 when, in the face of an intense anti-aircraft barrage, the group bombed enemy troop concentrations near Fondi in support of Fifth Army's advance toward Rome. From June to November 1944 operations included interdictory missions in the Po Valley, support for the invasion of Southern France, and attacks on enemy communications in northern Italy. Moved to France in November 1944 and bombed bridges, rail lines, gun positions, barracks, supply points, ammunition dumps, and other targets in France and Germany until V-E Day. Received a DUC for operations on 15 March 1945 when the group bombed pillboxes, trenches, weapon pits, and roads within the Siegfried Line to enable a breakthrough by Seventh Army. Moved to Germany in June 1945 and participated in the disarmament program. Returned to the US, November and December.
Inactivated on 4 Dec 1945.
Structure
- Part of
- Not yet known
- Encompassing
- Previously was
- Not yet known
- Became
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Jerome Banicki
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 320th Bomb Group
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Edward Kelley
Military | Sergeant | Engineer/Gunner | 320th Bomb Group
Edward Arthur Kelley was the son of Charles and Susan Kelley, and the brother of Thomas Kelley. He was born 16 Jul 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 2 Nov 1942. He was assigned to the 320th Bombardment Group and was... -
Myron Patzke
Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Radio Operator Gunner | 320th Bomb Group
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Douglas Taylor
Military | Major | Pilot | 320th Bomb Group
Douglas Newton Taylor was born in New Haven, CT on 19 February 1915. His mother passed away when Doug and his brother Howard were young. Their father, Albert, was an engineer working in the Central Americas, so Doug and Howard lived with their aunt in... -
42-95753 'Taboo' 'My Gal'
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 441st BS, 320th BG, 12th AF. It was lost on 23-Dec-44 on diversion mission to gun emplacements near Breisach, Germany. Flak hit over the target cut A/C in two just aft of top turret, rolled over into shallow spin, exploded on hitting ground... -
41-18305
B-26 Marauder
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42-96322
B-26 Marauder
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42-107783 Thumper II
B-26 Marauder
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42-95742 Eight Ball
B-26 Marauder
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41-17845
B-26 Marauder
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41-17792 Nana
B-26 Marauder
On 8 July, 1943 'Nan' 41-17792 of the 444th Bomb Squadron was part of an attack on the Gerbini Airdrome No. 11 in Sicily. The aircraft crashed on takeoff from the airfield at Massicault, Tunisia. The pilot was Robert C. Burns, the copilot was Douglas... -
43-49203 Li’L Woman
C-47 Skytrain
1LT Jasinowski, nickname Jazz, first name unknown. He was Doug's copilot on the 320th courier aircraft C-47 Li'L Woman -
41-17724 “Red Hot”
B-26 Marauder
41-17724 444th BS, “Red Hot Rabbit” crash on return from bombing of the Trapani Milo Airdrome, Sicily - Jun 15, 1943. Unidentified crew ...
Stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based | Tafaraoui | November 1942 – April 1943 |
| Based | Montesquieu | April 1943 – June 1943 |
| Based | Massicault | June 1943 – July 1943 |
| Based | Decimomannu | November 1943 – September 1944 |
| Based | Alto | September 1944 – November 1944 |
Connections
People
Aircraft
Citations
Distinguished Unit Citation - 12 May 1944
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 31 October 2018 21:46:53 | 466thHistorian | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
Chris Brassfield |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 31 October 2018 21:27:59 | 466thHistorian | Changes to stations |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 31 October 2018 21:20:55 | 466thHistorian | Changes to stations |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 31 October 2018 21:00:51 | 466thHistorian | Created entry with type, category, name, motto, citations, description and stations |
| Sources | ||
