The Writing 69th

media-6994.jpeg UPL 6994 War correspondents of the Writing 69th during their training for bombing missions in 1943.

Left to right: Gladwin Hill, William Wade, Robert Post, Walter Cronkite, Homer Bigart, and Paul Manning.

Image found at Writing 69th

Object Number - UPL 6994 - War correspondents of the Writing 69th during their training for bombing missions in 1943. Left to right: Gladwin Hill, William Wade, Robert...

In February 1943 the Eighth Air Force sponsored a group of eight American civilian and military journalists and a number of British newsreel cameramen to undergo training to fly missions aboard bombers for promotional purposes. A week long training session took place at Bovingdon, where the journalists were taught to adjust to high altitude, identify enemy planes, and parachute. They were trained to shoot weapons, though were forbidden to do so whilst in combat. The group of American journalists named themselves The Writing 69th in reference to the Fighting 69th.

On 26 February 1943 the Writing 69th flew its first and last mission over Wilhelmshaven. Six of the eight journalists boarded B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses to bomb the submarine pens. The mission saw heavy losses for the participating groups, the aircraft of Andy Rooney of the Stars and Stripes was damaged by flak and Robert Post of the New York Times was killed in action when his B-24 exploded. Whilst the other aircraft returned safely, Post's death brought an end to the Writing 69th flying missions with the Eighth Air Force. The journalists disbanded but continued their work as war correspondents. Post's death highlighted to the public the dangers that the airmen of the Eighth Air Force faced during missions.

The eight American journalists were:
Paul Manning, CBS Radio
Robert Post, New York Times
Walter Cronkite, United Press
Andy Rooney, Stars and Stripes
James Denton Scott, Yank magazine
Homer Bigart, New York Herald Tribune
William Wade, International News Service
Gladwin Hill, Associated Press

The British cameramen were:
Ken Gordon, Pathe Gazette News
Jim Wright, British Paramount News
Jack Ramsden, British Movietone News
George Oswald, Universal
Harold Morley, Gaumont British News

Ronnie Noble of Universal and William Wyler also undertook training with the Writing 69th

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Established

Bovingdon

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron The Writing 69th
  • Role/Job: War Correspondent
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron The Writing 69th
  • Role/Job: War Correspondent United Press
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: The Writing 69th
  • Role/Job: War Correspondent
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: The Writing 69th
  • Role/Job: Cameraman
Captain Bernard Thompson of the 387th Bomb Group and War Correspondent Gladwin Hill of the Associated Press, in the cockpit of a B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 8 May 1944.' [stamp] and '319310.' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AP War Correspondent Pays A Visit To A Marauder Base "Somewhere In England". Associated Press Photo Shows:- Left, Gladwyn Hill, A.P. War Correspondent sits in the cockpit of a Marauder, right pilot Capt. Bernar
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: The Writing 69th
  • Role/Job: War Correspondent

Revisions

Date30 May 2023 18:41:28
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to Unit History Highlights and Unit Hierarchy
Sources

Removed an extra "the" in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date19 Aug 2019 19:14:28
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Corrected a typo in the "Unit history highlights" section.

Date2 Jun 2015 13:52:37
ContributorCorrespondent
ChangesChanges to stations
Sources

Jim Hamiltons book and website .. 'The Writing 69th' .. Green Harbor oublications

Date2 Jun 2015 10:22:08
ContributorCorrespondent
ChangesChanges to unit encompassing associations
Sources

Jim Hamiltons book and website 'The Writing 69th' Green Harbor publications

Date2 Jun 2015 09:57:53
ContributorCorrespondent
ChangesChanges to insignia
Sources

Jim Hamiltons book, 'The Writing 69th', Green Harbor publications

Date1 Dec 2014 11:37:13
ContributorEmily
ChangesCreated entry with type, category, name, nicknames, description, air forces, person associations and stations

The Writing 69th: Gallery (3 items)