Frank Corser

Military
media-19388.jpeg UPL 19388 1st Lt Ashcraft and crew of the 305th Bomb Group, are shown beside a B-17 Flying Fortress. 29 November 1942. England.
41-24617 "Southern Comfort" WF-J, badly damaged mission to Rotterdam, 31 march 43, crew abandoned A/C over UK, 1 x KIA, 9 x RTD. Pilot managed to stagger back to belly landing at Beacon Hill, near Wickham Bishops, Witham, Eng.

Rear L-R – 2Lt William J Lakey[Copilot], 2Lt James Alfred Moberly[Nav], Lt Hugh Ashcoft[Pilot], 2Lt Bert M Wells[Bomb], S/Sgt James Patterson[Waist].
Front L-R – T/Sgt Stephen L Gogolya[TT/Eng], T/Sgt Douglas Glover[Radio], S/Sgt Frank Hern Hilsabeck[TailGun], S/Sgt Ray Armstrong[Ball Turret], S/Sgt Frank Corser[Waist].

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Object Number - UPL 19388 - 1st Lt Ashcraft and crew of the 305th Bomb Group, are shown beside a B-17 Flying Fortress. 29 November 1942. England. 41-24617 "Southern Comfort"...

Assigned to 364BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. Waist Gunner - B-17 41-24617 Fire & severe battle damaged over Rotterdam shipyards 31-3-43. Baled out over England. RTD.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.

305th Bomb Group

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

People

Hugh Gustavus Ashcraft

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14049827 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

An airman of the 305th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Southern Comfort". Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '305BG. 16-2-43.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

41-24617

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Southern Comfort
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
The top of the fuselage of a 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-49319) piloted by Lieutenant Ashcraft in February 1943 at Chelveston airbase. Nearest the camera is the radio-room machine-gun, manned by the radio operator, and in the background (towards the aircraft's nose) is the twin-machine-gun top-turret manned by the engineer. Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '249319. 2/43. 305BG. Ashcraft crew.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortress Crew. Associ

42-49319

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Baled Out

Vicinity Tolleshunt Major, UK 31 March 1943 B-17 41-24617 Fire & severe battle damaged over Rotterdam shipyards 31/3/43. Baled out over England. RTD.

Based

Grafton Underwood Assigned to 364BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Removed # from A/C serial No. to aid clarity and consistency

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Removed # from A/C serial No. to aid clarity and consistency

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added punctuation to the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.

Frank Corser: Gallery (3 items)

Lieutenant Ashcraft of the 305th Bomb Group watches Sergeant Patterson and Sergeant Corser put on their flying gear. Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '305BG.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortress Crew. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Lt. Ashcraft wearing his Mae West watches Sgt. Patterson and Sgt. Corser (right) don their high altitude suits. ASH.' Censor no: 249308. On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bu

Object number: FRE 10452 - Lieutenant Ashcraft of the 305th Bomb Group...

Object number: UPL 19388 - 1st Lt Ashcraft and crew of the 305th Bomb Group...

Object number: UPL 29168 - B-17F 42-29508 'Southern Comfort Jr' 364BS, 305BG...