819th Engineer Aviation Battalion

Battalion
Engineers work to complete the runway, in time for the first B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3123) nicknamed "Ron Chee" of the 381st Bomb Group to touch down. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Reviewed and passed 21 May 1943.' [stamp] and '265190.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- American Engineers completeing the last piece of the aerodrome - as the first "Flying Fortress" bomber arrives on the new field. AND, 21 May 1943. PN-s.' Handwritten caption on reve media-380067.jpg FRE 1270 Engineers work to complete the runway, in time for the first B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3123) nicknamed "Ron Chee" of the 96th Bomb Group to touch down at RAF Andrews Field.

Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Reviewed and passed 21 May 1943.' [stamp] and '265190.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- American Engineers completing the last piece of the aerodrome - as the first "Flying Fortress" bomber arrives on the new field.

Handwritten caption on reverse: '381BG Gt Saling.' Roger Freeman Collection

42-3123 was originally assigned to the 96th BG and was an original aircraft with the group.

The 381st BG did not arrive in England until June 1943 and was assigned to RAF Ridgewell.

Object Number - FRE 1270 - Engineers work to complete the runway, in time for the first B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3123) nicknamed "Ron Chee" of the 96th Bomb Group...

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Honington 26 August 1943 - 26 January 1944

Based

Cokethorpe

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 819th Engineer Aviation Battalion
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Instrument Mechanic
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 819th Engineer Aviation Battalion
  • Service Numbers: 11038377
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Mechanic
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 849th Bomb Squadron 819th Engineer Aviation Battalion
  • Service Numbers: 13033719
  • Role/Job: AAF Gunnery Instructor

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

819th Engineer Aviation Battalion: Gallery (1 items)