44-8431 Cheri II

A tail gunner of the 91st Bomb Group clears snow from the tail of his B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-W, serial number 44-8431). Printed caption on reverse of print: '56153 A.C.: Freezing fogs and wet snows have crystallized to cover this 8th Air Force base in England with a shroud of white. This has been the severest winter in England in almost a generation. Prior to take-off, this 91st Bombardment Group tail gunner clears the plexi-glass window in front of his gun sights.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Bass media-408231.jpg FRE 3640 A tail gunner of the 91st Bomb Group clears snow from the tail of his B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-W, serial number 44-8431). Printed caption on reverse of print: '56153 A.C.: Freezing fogs and wet snows have crystallized to cover this 8th Air Force base in England with a shroud of white. This has been the severest winter in England in almost a generation. Prior to take-off, this 91st Bombardment Group tail gunner clears the plexi-glass window in front of his gun sights.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Bassingbourn. 48431, OR-W. 91BG. US 8th AF Gunner prepares for take-off - a tail gunner of the 91st Bombardment Group, 8th USAF clears the plexi-glass window in front of his gun sights berfore taking off from a snow shrouded base 'in England'. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 3640 - A tail gunner of the 91st Bomb Group clears snow from the tail of his B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-W, serial number 44-8431). Printed caption on reverse...

Delivered Lincoln 12/9/44; Grenier 6/10/44; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-W] Bassingbourn 4/11/44; 46m Returned to the USA Bradley 5/6/45; Sth Plains 8/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 14/12/45. CHERI II.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.

91st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Arvin Odell Basnight

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13075110 / O-759749
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Robert O Holliday

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Ernest Alma Poulsen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39915521
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Matthew Jerome Templeton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-785017
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Deane Alexander Turner

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributorvppelt68
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Master log

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

44-8431: Gallery (6 items)

A tail gunner of the 91st Bomb Group clears snow from the tail of his B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-W, serial number 44-8431). Printed caption on reverse of print: '56153 A.C.: Freezing fogs and wet snows have crystallized to cover this 8th Air Force base in England with a shroud of white. This has been the severest winter in England in almost a generation. Prior to take-off, this 91st Bombardment Group tail gunner clears the plexi-glass window in front of his gun sights.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Bass

Object number: FRE 3640 - A tail gunner of the 91st Bomb Group clears snow...

Object number: UPL 23799 - B-17G #44-8431 'Cheri II' ; RFC assigned to...

Object number: UPL 27364 - 323rd Bomb Squadron pilots Robert Holliday and Max...

Object number: UPL 31632 - An unknown airman known only as "Mac" and Cpt...

Object number: UPL 46082 - Ernest 'Ernie' Poulsen 323rd Bomb Squadron Ball...

Object number: UPL 46083 - 91st Bomb Group, 323rd Bomb Squadron at Combat...