media-408512.jpg FRE 3878 The fire damaged nose of a B-17G Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31289) nicknamed "Belle of Maryland" of the 410th Bomb Squadron, 94th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "2067-FRU. 1-14-44. Rougham. B-17G-42-31289. FA-FSAD." Handwritten caption on reverse: '11/1/44. 410th Sqdn.' Printed caption on reverse: 'On 11 Jan 1944 the 94th BG was leading the 4th CBW on a mission to Braunschweig (Brunswick) Germany. Because the target was partially obscured by clouds, the 94th decided to do a 360 over the target for a better bomb run. The other two groups in the Wing did not follow the 94th, leaving them all alone over enemy territory, however the 94th continued on & successfully hit the target. For this action the 94th was awarded its second Presidential Unit Citation, but not without heavy losses. Seven a/c of the 94th were shot down and another 94th a/c flying with the 447th in a composite squadron was also lost. The a/c in this picture #42-31289 the "Belle of Maryland", Pilot George Kacsuta, Co-Pilot Cliff C. Hatcher, sustained[sic] heavy hits by German fighter 20mm cannon fire, but was able to make it back to Rougham with one engine on fire and electrical equipment fires in the nose section also still burning when landing. Miraculously the Bombardier[sic], Kenton H. Trimble and the Navigator, Truman Ball, escaped injury. The fire was finally fully extinguished after landing, but the "Belle of Maryland" never flew again, bringing the total losses of the 94th Bomb Group for that one mission to 9 aircraft.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection