FRE 4404

IMAGE

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A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 2 Feb 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Airmen Who Made First Daylight Raid On Germany. Big bombers of the United States Army Air Force made their first daylight raid on Germany recently when they dropped tons of high explosives on the Nazi naval base at Wilhelmshaven. The bombers, unescorted, met considerable fighter opposition and knocked down 22 for the loss of three bombers. Associated Press Photo Shows:- The crew of the First Flying Fortress to reach the target, with their ground staff. Left to right, top row: Col. Frank Armstrong of Nashville, Tenn., Group Commander; Lt. R.J. Salitrink of Alhambra, Calif., Navigator; Lt. Frank Taussi of Glendale, Calif., Bombardier; Sgt. Joseph E. Collette of N. Chelmsford, Mass., Engineer; Staff Sgt. Charles D. Hill of Baltimore, Maryland, Waist Gunner; Staff Sgt. Donald Tunstall of Darlington, S. Carolina, Tail Gunner; Staff Sgt. Raymond H. Erikson of Chicago, Ill., Ball Turret Gunner; Tech. Sgt. Robert A. Siavage of Eynon, Penn., Radio Operator; Major Claude E. Putnam of Jacksboro, Tex., Co-Pilot. TET 254769. 1-2-43-F.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

Connections

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Units

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Colonel Frank A. Armstrong of the 97th Bomb Group in the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Photographed by US Army Air Air Forces.' [caption], 'US Official Phot No. USB 230. (WA) Distributed by the Ministry of Information.' [caption] 'USAA(BRI)CCC:TYPE.' [written annotation] Printed caption on reverse: 'LEADER OF THE US BOMBING ATTACK ON WILHELMSHAVEN. Photo shows:- Col. Frank A. Armstrong of Asheville N.C. who led the bombing attack on Wilhelmshaven- the first American air a
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-17459
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Commanding Officer
An airman of the 306th Bomb Group with the top turret guns of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten on reverse: '306BG. 246558.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 1105702
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 2 Feb 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Airmen Who Made First Daylight Raid On Germany. Big bombers of the United States Army Air Force made their first daylight raid on Germany recently when they dropped tons of high explosives on the Nazi naval base at Wilhelmshaven. The bombers, unescorted, met considerable fighter opposition and knocked down 22 for the loss of three bombers. Associated Press Photo S
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 3630217
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner/Ball Turret Gunner
Staff Sergeant Charles D. Hill, a waist gunner of the 306th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image via BL Davies. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 2 Feb 1943.' [stamp] and '246557.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN AIRMEN WHO MADE FIRST DAYLIGHT RAID ON GERMANY. Associated Press Photos shows: Staff Sgt. Charles D. Hill of Baltimore, Maryland, The waist Gunner of the First Fortress to bomb Wilhelmshaven. TET 254771/2. 1243
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13050532
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Princess Elizabeth and an airman of the 306th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102547) nicknamed "Rose of York", that has been named in her honour, 6 July 1944. Written on slide casing: 'Rose of York.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group Headquarters (306th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-21642
  • Highest Rank: Brigadier General
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Revisions

Date:
ContributorLucy May
ChangesChanges to caption and person associations
Sources

Associated airmen from information in the image caption.

Date:
Contributorjrugman
ChangesChanges to person associations
Sources

Last name misspelt. Spelt as Eriksen, whereas it has been spelt above as Erikson. New name added to the list after the spelling had been solved

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection