Bert B Bessellieu

Military

B-17G 42-31202 turned back at mid-channel on an operational mission on 29 Mar 1944 and the a/c ran off the runway upon landing. All crew safe and returned to duty.

Connections

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Units served with

People

A bomber crew of the 401st Bomb Group, who have returned to operational duties following a crash in their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 12 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '296493.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FLYING FORTRESS CREW BACK IN ACTION FOLLOWING CRASH ON ENGLISH VILLAGE. Photo shows: The crew of the Fortress bomber which crashed on the village of Deenthorpe. L-R. T/Sgt William D Woodward, top-turret gunner, of Georgetown, Sout
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
A bomber crew of the 401st Bomb Group with their new B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 12 Dec 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'RF.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Flying Fortress Crew Back In Action Following Crash On English Village. Photo Shows:- Some of the crew walking from their new ship at a station "somewhere in England". L.-R.:- T/Sgt. William D. Woodward, top-turret gunner, of Georgetown, South Carolina; Sergeant Waldon D. Cohen, Ball-turret gunner, of Altoona, Pennsylvania; Sgt. H
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13095360
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20321945
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

20 January 1920 Mississippi

Enlisted

23 December 1942 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi

Died

10 September 1976

Buried

Bert Bessellieu rests at the Lee Cemetery, Pearl River County, Mississippi

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment Records
Veterans BIRL database

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia ;
- / http://www.401bg.org/Main/History/Members/Details.aspx?ID=501

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces