Albert E Rummans
Military
media-413633.jpg
FRE 4949
First Lieutenant Albert Rummans of the 385th Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 26 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-13. His ship successfully bombed Regensburg - L/Lt.[sic] Albert Rummans, of Madison, Tenn., about to board his machine at the start of another onslaught on vital enemy targets.' Censor no: 285568. On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Press caption for image series: YOUTH OF THE FLYING FORTRESSES. Little Americas are springing up all over Britain, each notable for the eager enthusiasm of young men typifying the youth of America imbued with the spirit to bomb and fight the Germans until the Nazi Menace is overcome and peace once again restored. Here in these ‘Little Americas’ a great bomber force has been built up and the enemy has felt the weight of this great air might in the daring daylight raids which are carried out almost daily. Rarely a day goes by without a might armada of Flying Fortresses streaming out with a great roar from their bases in Britain to wreck the enemy’s war machine. It is the youth of America that is so capably commanding these formidable new weapons of aerial warfare. Most of the crews were mere schoolboys at the outbreak of war. The spirit of these lads is refreshing- it is one of courage and determination to win out whatever the odds. Our cameraman- American War Correspondent, Samuel Goldstein, paid a visit to the Flying Fortress “Kindergarten” station, which is a complete unit of youth. The principal flying officers of the station are two “old men” of 39- the oldest members. While the “baby”-already a captain is 20. The commanding officer, Col Vandevanter, who has flown Fortresses through the battles over the Philippines, Java and Australia and has led his unit on numerous missions over Germany and occupied Europe, is just 26. His deputy Major Preston Piper of Santa Anna, Calif is 27. Major Piper led this group in the highly successful raid over Regensburg, Germany and heroically rescued most of his crew in the Fortress “Lulu Belle” when he was forced to ditch in the Atlantic, after being damaged over Bordeaux on a return mission from Africa. USP/2241 Keystone Press Agency. 25 Sep 1943.’
Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Assigned to 551BS, 385BG, 8AF USAAF. 25 x Missions.
"After receiving instruction and training on the B-17 aircraft in Walla Walla, Washington, and other areas in the western states, Albert left with his crew for Great Ashfield."
Awards: AM (3OLC), EAME (2BS), WWII Victory.
Connections
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Units served with
- 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: American
- Unit: 551st Bomb Squadron 385th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-680189
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 551st Bomb Squadron 385th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 12075404 / O-753183
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: Australian
- Unit: 551st Bomb Squadron 385th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 35664308
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball turret gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 551st Bomb Squadron 385th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 20834409
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39453390
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fighting Cock
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
21 December 1920 | ||
Enlisted |
Montgomery, Alabama | 24 January 1942 | EnlistedMontgomery, Alabama |
Died |
Fayetteville, North Carolina | 20 April 2008 | BornFayetteville, North Carolina |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
AccidentReports.com / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia