Thomas Hurley Borders

Military
Film star turned Intellegence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.', '216129' [ Censor no] and 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT Associated Press photo shows: Gene Raymond ex-Hollywood film star now intelligence office in the U.S. Army Air Corps questions Sgt. Kent West of West Blocton, ALA. Rear Gunner who shot down a

Object Number - FRE 880 - Film star turned Intelligence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen. NOTE by L2M2: Pictured...

Lt Thomas Borders graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa before enlisting in the Air Corps in July 1941. Assigned as a Pilot in the 97th Bomb Group/414th Bomb Squadron, he was sent overseas. He was Pilot of "Birmingham Blitzkrieg" on VIII Bomber Command's first Heavy Bomber raid to Rouen, France on 17 August 1942. Transferred to North Africa with the 97thBG, he was pilot of 41-24413, also named "Birmingham Blitzkrieg" when it was lost to Flak and exploded in mid-air on a mission to Biskra, Tunisia, 26 December 1942. Tom Borders and all nine other men on board were killed. To this day, all ten are still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Connections

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Units served with

Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im

97th Bomb Group

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

People

Edward T Du Paul

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11041054
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class (6th Grade)
  • Role/Job: Photographer/Gunner

Henry R Eaton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6149246
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer

Jack C Elliott

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17019902
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Fleming Clark Goolsby

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13032505 at enlistment, then O-412797
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Theodore R Hokenstad

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-659014
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

41-24413

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Birmingham Blitzkrieg
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
An airman of the 379th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: '161.' Press caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].

41-9100

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Birmingham Blitzkreig
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron 525th Bomb Squadron

Missions

A bomber crew of the 97th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. They are from left to right: Lieutenant Frank R. Beadle, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Sergeant Chester Love, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Sergeant Richard Williams, of Utica, New York; Lieutenant Levon Ray, of Poolville Texas; Glen V. Leland, of St. Petersburg, Florida; Sergeant Frank Rebello, Tiverton, Rhode Island; Sergeant Joseph Cummings, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; and Sergeant Zane Gemmill, of St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Image stamped on reverse: 'Pas

VIII Bomber Command 1

  • Date: 17 August 1942
  • Official Description: 12 B-17’s of 97th Bomb Group, escorted by Spitfires, launch first Army Air Force Heavy Bomber attack from UK against Western Europe. Target is Rouen-Sotteville Marshalling Yard. Sergeant Kent R West shoots down German fighter, thus becoming the first...

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States 19 June 1917 the son of Robert Henderson Borders Sr and Susan Jane (Tatum) Borders

Enlisted

Montgomery, Alabama, United States 12 July 1941 as an Aviation Cadet in the Air Corps

Died

Tunisia, North Africa 26 December 1942 in the loss of B-17 41-24413
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States as a student at the University of Alabama

Other

Memorialized

North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial on the Tablets of the Missing

Revisions

Date4 Dec 2017 16:18:44
ContributorED-BB
Sources

Associated media and chose Key Image

Date4 Dec 2017 13:58:23
ContributorED-BB
Sources

MACR 16150
Research on crew of 41-24413
US Census 1940
NARA WWII Enlistment Records
WWII USAAF Casualties for Jefferson County, Alabama
ABMC website

Thomas Hurley Borders: Gallery (2 items)

Film star turned Intellegence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.', '216129' [ Censor no] and 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT Associated Press photo shows: Gene Raymond ex-Hollywood film star now intelligence office in the U.S. Army Air Corps questions Sgt. Kent West of West Blocton, ALA. Rear Gunner who shot down a

Object number: FRE 880 - Film star turned Intelligence Officer Gene Raymond...