UPL 18729

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During off duty hours members of the 379th Bomb Group participate in a spirited game of football at an 8th Air Force Base in England, 20 April 1944. All named and Identified are Ground Crewmen/Personnel of "Swamp Fire" 42-32024 524th BS, 379th BG L-R: Quarterback-Unknown; Sgt Jim Mike Tolleson-Mechanic, T/Sgt Berj Bejian-Engineer/TTG, Unidentified (Back to Camera), Sgt Seymour Romoff-Mechanic/Eng, Rube Cohn-Armorer, Sgt Joseph Simmonette-Mechanic/Asst. Ground Crew Chief, Unidentified- (Thought to be Henry Gerhart Mechanic but unconfirmed as of yet.). B-17 Flying Fortress to right of bell tent is (serial number 42-38141) nicknamed 'Pansy Yokum', to left of tent is (serial number 42-39828) nicknamed "Penny Ante"

Connections

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Units

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.

379th Bomb Group

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

People

A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, and their mascot "Scragg", with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp Fire". Image via Byron Clark. A printed caption has been attached to the reverse: 'Swamp Fire First Crew. Kimbolton, May 1 1944 [handwritten annotation to this says: 'Photo Taken.']. Rear Row, L to R. Berj Bejian- Engineer & Top Turret, Roy Avery- Waist Gunner, Andrew Stroman- Ball Turret, John Rose- Waist Gunner, Elijah Lewis- Tail Gunner, Edward Pryzybyla- Radio Gun

Berj G Bejian

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12005752
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Seymour Romoff

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12027790
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ground crew
An airman of the 379th Bomb Group paints the 100th mission marking onto a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp Fire". Official caption printed on image: '(GPR-214-6-379)(1-11-44).' Image via Merle Olmsted

Joseph Simonette

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ground crew

Jim Mike Tolleson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18137300
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ground crew

Aircraft

42-38141

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pansy Yokum
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron

42-39828

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Penny Ante
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date:
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to caption, unit associations, person associations and aircraft associations
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/38264409?terms=Seymour%20Romoff

Date:
ContributorEmily
ChangesChanges to caption and aircraft associations
Sources

Amended aircraft associations as per information provided by Mervyn Wilson, former assistant Historian of the 379th Bomb Group Association. Mervyn pointed out that B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5828) nicknamed "Sweater Girl" was lost on 22 February 1944, so could therefore not be depicted in an image from April 1944. Airmen depicted in the image however did serve aboard "Sweater Girl", but were not flying it when it was missing in action.

Mervyn also identified that B-17 "Pansy Yokum" shared hardstand #9 with B-17 "Penny Ante"

Added official caption from Fold3

Date:
Contributorcody1947
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

Research of records; photo recognition and verification from family

Date:
ContributorShazbott1540
ChangesCreated entry with aircraft associations
Sources

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