554th Bomb Squadron

Squadron
A-26 Invaders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission. A-26 (RU-S, serial number 43-22366) is visible on the left. Printed caption on reverse: 'b-70171 AC- Formations of Douglas A-26s , attached to the 386th Bomb Group, enroute to bomb enemy installations somewhere in Germany on 20 April 1945. US Air Force Photo Detachment-5 Hq AAVS (mac).' Handwritten caption on revese: '554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group.' media-380185.jpg FRE 1454 A-26 Invaders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission. A-26 (RU-S, serial number 43-22366) is visible on the left. Printed caption on reverse: 'b-70171 AC- Formations of Douglas A-26s , attached to the 386th Bomb Group, enroute to bomb enemy installations somewhere in Germany on 20 April 1945. US Air Force Photo Detachment-5 Hq AAVS (mac).' Handwritten caption on revese: '554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1454 - A-26 Invaders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission. A-26 (RU-S, serial number 43-22366) is visible on the left. Printed caption...

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Great Dunmow

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14102783 and O-804892
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-713989
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36178693
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34336613
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38511822
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Airplane Armorer Gunner 612

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Texas Tarantula
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
Technical Sergeant John P. Spottiswoode and Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Pakulski of the 386th Bomb Group load ammunition into the waist guns of their B-26 Marauder (RU-Q, serial number 41-34971) nicknamed "Pay Off". 

Passed as censored 30 Sep 1943, Passed for publication 2 Oct 1943. 

Handwritten caption on reverse: '386BG/554BS. RU:Q, 134971 (lost 8/43). "Pay-Off". T/Sgt John E. Spottiswoode R/G, S.Sgt, Joseph R. Pakulski, E/G.' 

Printed caption on reverse: 'America's "Red Devil" Flyers. USP/2247-18
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
A B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Litljo" of the 554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group at Boxted. Printed caption on reverse: '69807 AC - (A) - Martin B-26 "Privy Donna" of the 554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group at its base at Boxted Field, Essex, England. U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: Rene J. Francillon [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Litljo
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Nicknames: The Bad Penny
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (RU-A, serial number 41-31658) nicknamed "Privy Donna". A veteran has handwritten on the reverse: ''Boxted Airdrome, Colchester, Essex, England. August/Sept 1943. Rear row: Left- Co Pilot Robt. L Stevenson, 1st Lt (deceased). Centre- Flight Ldr & Pilot, Capt AL Cane. Right- Navigator, 1st Lt Jos D Watzlavick. Middle Row: Left- Radio Gunner S/Sgt Jos Hough. Centre- Flt Engr/ Gunner "Tex" DE Coffman, T/Sgt. Right: Tail Gunner S/Sgt Cliff Bates.
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Privy Donna
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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Contributorrossingtonj
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Type added.

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ContributorAAM
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Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

554th Bomb Squadron: Gallery (36 items)