FRE 875

IMAGE
Staff Sergeant Joseph Francis Kotlarz, a tail gunner of the 96th Bomb Group, cleans the guns on his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885) nicknamed "Kipling's Error the III". Printed caption on reverse: '.'27330 AC - "Hottest tail in town." Preparing his tail guns in last minute readiness is S/Sgt. Joseph F. Kotlarz, son of Mrs Stella Kotlarz, 2820 F. St. Omaha Nebr. Sgt. Kotlarz reigns over the tail gun position in the Fortress, "Kipling's Error III" which is ready for its bombing raid, taking it
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Staff Sergeant Joseph Francis Kotlarz, a tail gunner of the 96th Bomb Group, cleans the guns on his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885) nicknamed "Kipling's Error the III". Printed caption on reverse: '.'27330 AC - "Hottest tail in town." Preparing his tail guns in last minute readiness is S/Sgt. Joseph F. Kotlarz, son of Mrs Stella Kotlarz, 2820 F. St. Omaha Nebr. Sgt. Kotlarz reigns over the tail gun position in the Fortress, "Kipling's Error III" which is ready for its bombing raid, taking it to Germany and occupied Europe. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO.'

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Units

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.

96th Bomb Group

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

People

Staff Sergeant Joseph Francis Kotlarz, a tail gunner of the 96th Bomb Group, cleans the guns on his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885) nicknamed "Kipling's Error the III". Printed caption on reverse: '.'27330 AC - "Hottest tail in town." Preparing his tail guns in last minute readiness is S/Sgt. Joseph F. Kotlarz, son of Mrs Stella Kotlarz, 2820 F. St. Omaha Nebr. Sgt. Kotlarz reigns over the tail gun position in the Fortress, "Kipling's Error III" which is ready for its bombing raid, taking it

Joseph Francis Kotlarz

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885) nicknamed "Kipling's Error the III" of the 96th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-1-9-96)(11-9-43).' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Neies crew.'

42-5885

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kipling's Error the III
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 413th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection