media-16581.jpeg UPL 16581 Link Crew (later Austin's Crew) - 602nd Squadron - 1 August 1944

Back Row (left to right)
2nd Lt. Robert Tobman, Navigator
2nd Lt. Alexander J. Link, Pilot
2nd Lt. Richard M. “Dick”Austin, Co-Pilot
S/Sgt. John W. Walker, Flight Engineer

Front Row (left to right)
S/Sgt. L. C. Wilkerson, Togglier
S/Sgt. F. J. Peterson, Waist Gunner, Asst. Radio
Sgt. Charles W. Shirk, Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. James B. Sams, Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt. Fred B. Rolfe, Radio Operator


Note this crew became the . Richard M. Austin Crew after 2nd Lt. Alexander J. Link, Pilot, was seriously wounded on his 8th mission over Rouen, France on 12 August 44. The rest of the crew completed 35 missions.
Dick Austin indicated that the crew never flew combat missons with the bombardier that they had trained with. Toggliers flew instead for all their missions. He also believes the photo was taken after a local training mission on 1 August, the day after their first mission on 31 July 1944.

Photo taken by 602nd squadron Photographer at Nuthampstead - Station 131
Nuthampstead Airfield Museum collection

Associated to Robert Tobman from information in the image caption.