FRE 4404
IMAGEA bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 2 Feb 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Airmen Who Made First Daylight Raid On Germany. Big bombers of the United States Army Air Force made their first daylight raid on Germany recently when they dropped tons of high explosives on the Nazi naval base at Wilhelmshaven. The bombers, unescorted, met considerable fighter opposition and knocked down 22 for the loss of three bombers. Associated Press Photo Shows:- The crew of the First Flying Fortress to reach the target, with their ground staff. Left to right, top row: Col. Frank Armstrong of Nashville, Tenn., Group Commander; Lt. R.J. Salitrink of Alhambra, Calif., Navigator; Lt. Frank Taussi of Glendale, Calif., Bombardier; Sgt. Joseph E. Collette of N. Chelmsford, Mass., Engineer; Staff Sgt. Charles D. Hill of Baltimore, Maryland, Waist Gunner; Staff Sgt. Donald Tunstall of Darlington, S. Carolina, Tail Gunner; Staff Sgt. Raymond H. Erikson of Chicago, Ill., Ball Turret Gunner; Tech. Sgt. Robert A. Siavage of Eynon, Penn., Radio Operator; Major Claude E. Putnam of Jacksboro, Tex., Co-Pilot. TET 254769. 1-2-43-F.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
Connections
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-17459
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
- Role/Job: Pilot / Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 1105702
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 3630217
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner/Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13050532
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group Headquarters (306th Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-21642
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Role/Job: Pilot
Revisions
Last name misspelt. Spelt as Eriksen, whereas it has been spelt above as Erikson. New name added to the list after the spelling had been solved