Poltava

Airfield
Sergeant George Mondale, Lieutenant Ernest Demaray, Sergeant John McCallum and Lieutenant Roger Soth of the 452nd Bomb Group with Russian personnel. Image via William C Gaither. Letter from Gaither enclosed with print: ‘These photographers were taken at Poltava, Russia on June 22 1944. On June 21st my group, the 452d and others flew from England to Poltava en route hitting oil refinery at Rhurland, Germany. That night after landing German dive bombers bombed the field destroying ninety or more B-17 airc media-380648.jpg FRE 1832 Sergeant George Mondale, Lieutenant Ernest Demaray, Sergeant John McCallum and Lieutenant Roger Soth of the 452nd Bomb Group with Russian personnel. Image via William C Gaither. Letter from Gaither enclosed with print: ‘These photographers were taken at Poltava, Russia on June 22 1944. On June 21st my group, the 452d and others flew from England to Poltava en route hitting oil refinery at Rhurland, Germany. That night after landing German dive bombers bombed the field destroying ninety or more B-17 aircraft. Our P-51 fighter escort which has landed at another field were denied permission to take off and intercept the German attack planes. My crew and I were assigned to the 730Sq. My aircraft “Borrowed Time”. Was hit by an ME-109 over Yugoslavia. No 4 engine was knocked out and feathered, a hole was put in horizontal tail and hydraulic system damaged. Without brakes I ground looped on landing to stop the ship. There it remained isolated from the other ships which were destroyed that night. PHOTO NO 8- "Borrowed Time" crew. L to R Sgt George Mondale gunner, Lt Ernest Demaray co-pilo, Sgt John McCallum gunner, Lt Roger Soth bombardier. The Germans directed their attack at the B-17s and not at the crew’s bivouac area. Only later did we learn that we were also a target- butterfly bombs were found in the tent area. Young Russians were used to search and destroy these bombs.’ Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1832 - Sergeant George Mondale, Lieutenant Ernest Demaray, Sergeant John McCallum and Lieutenant Roger Soth of the 452nd Bomb Group with Russian personnel....

Connections

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Detailed History

The airfield at Poltava was constructed between April and May 1944. Recon flights began by 7th PRG in late May 1944. Following the end of shuttle bombing operations in September 1944, Poltava remained in operation with a reduced staff mostly to evacuate American air crews who were downed behind Soviet lines in Poland and repair or salvage American aircraft down in Poland. ESCOM Headquarters (at Poltava) remained in operation until June 1945.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 0816243
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group
  • Service Numbers: O-17852
  • Highest Rank: Brigadier General
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Bill Gaither and Lieutenant Bill Stull of the 452nd Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43-3778) of the 96th Bomb Group that was destroyed by German dive bombers. Image via William C Gaither. Letter from Gaither enclosed with print: ‘These photographers were taken at Poltava, Russia on June 22 1944. On June 21st my group, the 452d and others flew from England to Poltava en route hitting oil refinery at Rhurland, Germany. That night after landing German dive bombers bombed th
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-14903
  • Highest Rank: General
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Inside Man
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Bugs Bunny
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have Poltava in their biography fields.

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

Beyond The Call by Lee Trimble

Date
ContributorPete
Changes
Sources

452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

Date
ContributorSam_Martin
Changes
Sources

Sam Martin, Reference Specialist, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Date
ContributorSam_Martin
Changes
Sources

Sam Martin, Reference Specialist, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.
Primary textual source: RG 334, National Archives, College Park, MD.

Poltava: Gallery (20 items)