FRE 4823
IMAGEHollywood actors Lawrence Olivier and Vivien Leigh with Lieutenant Mary Churchill and Colonel Harry Lebar, commanding officer of the 381st Bomb Group during a visit to Ridgewell to christen a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Stage Door Canteen", 21 April 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '21/4/44, 216.' Press caption from reverse: '316941' [ censor no].' MSR231990' [written annotation].'MARY CHURCHILL CHRISTENS A FORTRESS. The London Stage Door Canteen will open in the near future at Picadilly, London on the same lines as similar organisations in America, and which is solely for the use of the United Nations Armed Forces. In conjunction with the new canteen a Flying Fortress was christened on Friday , April 21 by subaltern Mary Churchill, who smashed a bottle of "Champagne" on the chin turret guns and named it "Stage Door Canteen". Other well known people attended the ceremony, including Vivian Leigh, Lawrence Olivier, Alfred Lunt, and a representative of The Royal Air Force. GLE 267025,6,7,8,9, AND )£). 22?44U.' On reverse: Associated Press and damaged US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].
Connections
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: British
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group Headquarters (381st Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-21388
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: British
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: British
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Stage Door Canteen
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron