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A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile" and their dog and monkey mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe".
Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the crew of the Flying Fortress "Honey Chile" piloted by 2nd. Lieut. Robert W. Biesecker, (of Lexington, North Carolina) at an 8th A.F. Bomber Command Station, in England.
'Scrappy" was presented to the crew while training in U.S. and accompanied the boys on their transatlantic flight to England. "Joe", a pint-sized number, gets around the base on Scrappy's back, was picked up by crew at another station here. Both these mascots have a good number of flying hours to their credit. Photograph shows - The Dog and Monkey mascots of the Fortress "Honey Chile".
FOX OCTOBER 43. 35. '
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Sergeant Milton C Schwermer and Staff Sergeant Willis P Roy of the 390th Bomb Group pass their new dog mascot "Eager" through the waist gun position of their B-17 Flying Fortress to their fellow airman Sergeant Swen A Zetterberg.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '280607.' [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: 'REGENSBURG RAIDERS RETURN FROM NORTH AFRICA - BOMBING BORDEAUX EN ROUTE. United States Eighth Air Force Flying Fortresses, returning from Africa after bombing Regensburg, Germany, on August 17, attack an assembly plant in Bordeaux during daylight yesterday, August 24. Good bombing results were reported , and opposition was not severe. Seven enemy aircraft were destroyed by the heavy bombers. When the crews landed at their British bases they carried souvenirs obtained during their six-day stay in Africa including Fezzes, Arab knives, battle trophies from the North African campaign and a pet terrier renamed "EAGER".
Associated Press Photo shows: "Eager a terrier mascot “picked up" in Africa by airmen of U.S.A.A.F. who made the heavy raid on Regensburg and bombed Bordeaux on the return flight to Britain, wears an appropriate sphinx-like expression as he is handed down from a Fortress bomber which participated in the two-way raid. In the cabin of the Fortress are Sgt. Milton C. Schwermer, 19, Ball turret gunner, of Michigan city, Ind., (left )and S/Sgt. Willis P. Roy, 23-year-old Radio Operator from ST. Paul, Minn. receiving "Eager" is SGT. Swen A Zetterberg, 19 Waist-gunner, whose home is in Rookford, Ill. 259968 25843 U.’
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A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group pets their mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe" a dog and monkey, who fly in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile".
Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the crew of the Flying Fortress "Honey Chile" piloted by 2nd. Lieut. Robert W. Biesecker, ( of Lexington, North Carolina) at an 8th A.F. Bomber Command Station, in England.
'Scrappy" was presented to the crew while training in U.S. and accompanied the boys on their transatlantic flight to England. "Joe", a pint-sized number, gets around the base on Scrappy's back, was picked up by crew at another station here. Both these mascots have a good number of flying hours to their credit. Photograph shows - The Dog and Monkey mascots of the Fortress "Honey Chile".
FOX OCTOBER 43.'
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Lieutenant John G Winant Jr of the 390th Bomb Group, wearing a Mae West life jacket, with his crew and their B-17 Flying Fortress.
Image stamped on reverse: ‘Planet News.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 15 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘278787.’ [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: ' Photo shows: Lieut. John G. Winant, Jnr. (centre, wearing a "Mae West") of Concord, New Hampshire, with his crew, including
2nd. Lieut. Donald C Arns, of Algona, Iowa;
2nd. Lieut. Robert W Tredinnick, of North Caldwell, N. Jersey:
2nd. Lieut. Richard F. Walker, of Albany, Georgia;
S/Sgt. Walter E. Weidemann, of Amsterdam, New York;
S/Sgt. Paul E Hurles, of Columbus, Ohio;
S/Sgt. Elmer Fjosne, of Cornwall Wisconsin;
Sgt. Alonzo J Swope, of Harlington, Texas;
S/Sgt. Robert V Wirtz, of Baltimore, Maryland;
and S/Sgt. Frank V Malone, of Hones Bath, South Carolina. at their station somewhere in England. G. August 1943. PN.'
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"Scrappy" and "Joe" the dog and monkey mascots of a bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group who fly the B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile".
Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the crew of the Flying Fortress "Honey Chile" piloted by 2nd. Lieut. Robert W. Biesecker, ( of Lexington, North Carolina) at an 8th A.F. Bomber Command Station, in England.
'Scrappy" was presented to the crew while training in U.S. and accompanied the boys on their transatlantic flight to England. "Joe", a pint-sized number, gets around the base on Scrappy's back, was picked up by crew at another station here. Both these mascots have a good number of flying hours to their credit. Photograph shows - The Dog and Monkey mascots on the runway. FOX OCTOBER 43. 35. '
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Nissen huts at the base of the 390th Bomb Group at Framlingham.
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Personnel of the 390th Bomb Group are briefed by Major Louis W Dolan before the first shuttle mission to Russia. Image via Ian Mactaggart. Handwritten caption on reverse: '390 BG (2 photos) Maj Louise W. Dolan Ops officer briefs group for 1st shuttle to Russia Aircraft took off 21/6/44 MACTAGGART'
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A camouflaged gun at Framlingham. B-17 Flying Fortresses (serial number 42-31974) nicknamed "Bomboogie", (serial number 42-3312) nicknamed "Sequatchie" and (serial number 41-31971) of the 390th Bomb Group are visible in the background. Printed caption on reverse: 'SC314553 A Camouflaged 40mm gun in the foreground and a fortress in the background, of an American Antiaircraft Artillery Battery Group in Framlingham , England 4 April 1944.Signal Corps Photo ETO-HQ-44-2936 (Gun) released by Pub. Info Div. 7 Aug 1947. Orig. Neg Let 14132 .'
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Corporal George J. Oelkers of the 390th Bomb Group, examines a German butterfly bomb, dropped on Parham. Originally passed for publication 23 Aug 1943, but then revoked from publication same day. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. Bomber Station Raided Last Night. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Cpl. George J. Oelkers, of Maple Wood, N.J., holding up the outer casing of one of the butterfly bombs. WOR 259912. 23-8-43-Y.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau and Ministry of Information [Stamps].
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Sergeant Donald J Morris of the 390th Bomb Group, points at a German butterfly bomb dropped on Parham airbase by a German raider. Image stamped on reverse: '23 Aug 1943.'[stamp, crossed out by censor], 'Not to be published.' [stamp] and '280037.'[Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. Bomber Station Raided Last Night. A U.S. Bomber Station "somewhere in England" was raided by an anti-personnel raider last night, August 22, who dropped a number of butterfly bombs. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Sgt. Donald Morrie of Streater, Ill., cautiously approaches a butterfly bomb dropped during the raid last night, August 22. WOR 259910. 23-8-43-Y.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau and Ministry of Information [Stamps].
Built for the Eighth Air Force from 1942 to 43, Framlingham was home first to the 95th Bomb Group, before that unit moved to RAF Alconbury. From 1943 to 1945, it was operated by the 390th Bomb Group. The airfield was handed back to the RAF in 1945, and was for two years used as a transit camp to help with the relocation of displaced Polish people . The airfield’s land was returned to agriculture from 1948. In 1981 a museum was opened in the restored control tower, which today tells the story of the 390th Bomb Group.
Footage of the airbase in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qISgcZsO8cs
Detailed history
Not yet known
English Heritage's record description
Not yet known
Service
Units
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Group
The 390th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Framlingham, Suffolk, between July 1943 and the end of the war in Europe. The Group was engaged in strategic missions until the invasion of Europe when its role became more of a tactical one. This...
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Group
The 95th Bomb Group was the only Eighth Air Force Group to be awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations. The first, shared by all four Bomb Wing Groups, was for the bombing of an aircraft factory under intense enemy fire at Regensburg on 17 August...
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Squadron
Browse 18th Weather Squadron photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/60
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People
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 390th Bomb Group
Shot down 18 April 1944 in B-17 #42-37902 'Sure Thing', while performing his duties as the aircraft's Navigator. Became a Prisoner of War, surviving the war.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 390th Bomb Group
Assigned to 568BS, 390BG, 8AF USAAF. 17-Oct-43 crew bailed out of B-17 42-30610 'Red Ass' when a fire in the fuselage developed during a training flight. 25 x missions (13 x aboard 42-3472 "The Vulture").
Awards: DFC, AM, WWII Victory, EAME.
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Military | Engineer/Top Turret | 390th Bomb Group
Crew Number 14
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Military | Corporal | Radio Operator | 390th Bomb Group
Shot down 20 April 1944 in B-17 #42-37890 "Big Friend". Killed in Action (KIA).
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Military | Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 390th Bomb Group
Killed in Action (KIA) in B-17 #4338665
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Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Bombardier | 401st Bomb Group
Assigned to 614BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. 29 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.
Post war: Remained in USAF, serving in Korean conflicts and rising to Lt Colonel.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 390th Bomb Group
Andrew Archiopoli was Bombardier on the Warren Hawes Crew (Crew Number 18) in the 390th Bomb Group. He flew most missions on B-17 #42-31717 “HELLS BELLS”.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 390th Bomb Group
Shot down 5 June 1944 in B-17 #4297473 'Hap's Hazard. ' Killed in Action (KIA).
PH
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Military | First Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 390th Bomb Group
Darwin Arnold was Co-Pilot on the Warren Hawes Crew (Crew Number 18) in the 390th Bomb Group. He flew most missions on B-17 #42-31717 “HELLS BELLS”.
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Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Bombardier | 390th Bomb Group
James Atkinson got his wings as a 2nd Lt on 5 August 1942 in Miami Beach, Florida. Promoted 1st Lt on 1 March 1943 in England, to Captain in September of that year. Completed six missions as a Bombardier with the 390th from 7 to 22 June 1944, this last...
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Aircraft
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Boeing B-17E
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 340BS/97BG Polebrook 15/4/42; transferred 390BG Framlingham 29/6/42; 407BS/92BG [PY-N] Bovingdon /9/42; 401BS/91BG [LL-X] Bassingbourn 22/7/43; 613BS/401BG [IN-P], then 612BS [SC-X] Deenethorpe, Nth. 6/11/43; /390BG Framlingham, 6/11/43; 600BS...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 3/3/44; MacDill 20/3/43; Kearney 22/3/44; Dow Fd 4/4/44; Assigned 568BS/390BG [BI-K] Framlingham 5/4/44; Missing in Action Magdeburg (12m) 28/5/44 with Walt Weigle, Co-pilot: Chas Richardson Wounded in Action, Navigator: Herman...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 4/3/44; Kearney 22/3/44; Dow Fd 4/4/44; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-A] Horham 6/4/44; with L.J. Price, force landed 4/8/44 sal; with M.S. Roy force landed Framlingham AFB 25/12/44; with H. Rivet force landed France 20/2/45; with J.E....
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 9/3/44; Billings 16/3/43; Gr Island 29/3/44; Grenier 1/4/44; slated 398BG, Assigned 336BS/95BG [ET-A] Horham 8/4/44; 21m, transferred 571BS/390BG [FC-X] Framlingham 1/6/44 ODD BALL; Waist gunner: Bob Kincaid (Killed in Action) on...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 11/3/44; Kearney 29/3/44; Dow Fd 4/4/44; Assigned 96BG Snetterton 8/4/44; transferred 571BS/390BG [FC-N] Framlingham 9/4/44; Missing in Action {4m} Freidrichahafen 29/4/44 with Bob Rayburn, Co-pilot: Henry Crowley, Navigator: Murray...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 11/3/44; MacDill 29/3/44; Bangor 7/4/44; slated 94BG, Assigned 390BG Framlingham 4/4/44; transferred 338BS/96BG [BX-A] Snetterton 5/4/44; Missing in Action Weisbaden 10/11/44 with Art Brodsky, Co-pilot: Art Mortenson, Navigator:...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 11/3/44; Kearney 31/3/44; Dow Fd 8/4/44; Assigned 570BS/390BG [DI-O] Framlingham 11/4/44; Missing in Action Berlin 19/5/44 with Dick Tannehill, Navigator: Bob Horst, Bombardier: Elmer Leggett, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Larry...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 11/3/44; Gr Island 29/3/44; Dow Fd 7/4/44; Assigned 568BS/390BG [BI-F] Framlingham 8/4/44; Missing in Action Munich 13/7/44 with George Spann, Co-pilot: Theo Becker, Navigator: Prospero Demarco, Bombardier: Jim Webb, Flight engineer...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 12/3/44; Kearney 30/3/44; Dow Fd 7/4/44; Assigned 569BS/390BG [CC-L] Framlingham 8/4/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 29/7/44 with Harry Stewart, Co-pilot: Norman Quest, Navigator: Marris Todd, Bombardier: Dan Clark, Flight engineer...
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