James L Branch

Military

Shot down 17 April 1943 in B-17 #425172 'Thunderbird. ' Target was Bremen, but a/c was attacked by fighters before target and caught fire. Bailed out from back section to become Prisoner of War (POW)s. first in Stalag 7A then moved to work camps with the last 48-11 in Munich. Prisoner of War (POW).



POW

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.

91st Bomb Group

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

Aircraft

First Lieutenant Harold Beasley and his crew from the 91st Bomb Group, return to Bassingbourn after flying a raid on Antwerp in a B-17 Flying Fortress (LG-T, serial number 42-5724) nicknamed "Thunderbird". Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright by Planet News Ltd 3 Johnson's Court London E.C.4.’[stamp], 'Passed for Publication 6 Apr 1943' [stamp].'256837' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo shows:- 1st Lieut Harold Beasley (centre) with members of his crew on their return from the Antwerp raid

42-5172

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Thunderbird, Marnita
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Germany 17 April 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 15521 / MACR 15521, Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces Vol. 1 p. 105 by Bishop and Hey, The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingborn p. 38 by Havelaar, NARAh. / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database