41-24610 | American Air Museum

41-24610 Joe Btfsplk II

Lieutenant Fort W. Lipe of the 303rd Bomb Group, signals 'V for Victory' from the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-T, serial number 41-24610 ) nicknamed "Joe Btfsplk II". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Fort W. Lipe, of the Air Corps, of Irving, Illinois was with the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. He is 23 and is engaged to Miss Edith Kesinger, of 314 North-St., Normal, Illinois. His greeting is silent, optimistic and emphatic. As O.P.S. he sends it in the V sign.' On

media-407549.jpg FRE 4178 Lieutenant Fort W. Lipe of the 303rd Bomb Group, signals 'V for Victory' from the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-T, serial number 41-24610 ) nicknamed "Joe Btfsplk II". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Fort W. Lipe, of the Air Corps, of Irving, Illinois was with the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. He is 23 and is engaged to Miss Edith Kesinger, of 314 North-St., Normal, Illinois. His greeting is silent, optimistic and emphatic. As O.P.S. he sends it in the V sign.' On reverse: Current Affairs Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4178 - Lieutenant Fort W. Lipe of the 303rd Bomb Group, signals 'V for Victory' from the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-T, serial number 41-24610 )...

Assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-T] Bangor 5/10/42; Molesworth 25/10/42.
Missing in Action St Nazaire 1/5/43 with Vince Walsh, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dave Lee, Waist gunner: Tony Peklinsky (3 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: John Franklin, Navigator: Ed Zieminski, Bombardier: John Walker, Radio Operator: Emery Knotts, Ball turret gunner: Jim Carithers, Waist gunner: Joe McMahon, Tail gunner: Leroy Moyer (7 Killed in Action).
AA hit, crashed St Nazaire, Fr.
Missing Air Crew Report 15727.

Connections

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Units served with

People

James H Carithers

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 37069700
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Hudson Choice

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 20906856
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Staff Sergeant Clarence S. Commes of the 303rd Bomb Group, examines the machine-gun on his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 9 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'When we asked S/Sgt Clarence S. Commes of 3612, Bret Hark Court, Sacramento, California, what he did in private life he answered "Whatever I could find to do." Today with the U.S. Air Force in Britain he has a man-size job as a gunner who has taken part in 16 raids. For this he has been awarded the Air Medal and 2 clusters. Aged 25

Clarence S Coomes

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 19012491
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

Albert W Diffenbach

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron 359th Bomb Squadron 360th Bomb Squadron 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-742149
Highest Rank: Captain
Role/Job: Bombardier

Paul D Ferguson

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 18016388
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Missions

B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group fly over countryside. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 16 Feb 1943.' [stamp] Printed caption on reverse: '7-12 Liberator planes of U.S. Bomber Command in flight at the start of an operational patrol from their base "somewhere in England". And February 17th 1943 PN'

VIII Bomber Command 36

Date: 16 February 1943

VIII Bomber Command 34

Date: 14 February 1943

VIII Bomber Command 33

Date: 4 February 1943

VIII Bomber Command 32

Date: 2 February 1943

The crew of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23778) nicknamed "Jenny", of the 44th Bomb Group, return to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 29 January 1943.

The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored.

Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first r

VIII Bomber Command 31

Date: 27 January 1943

Revisions

Date8 Apr 2024 20:41:40