42-99990 Short Snorter
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FRE 8008
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Short Snorter" of the 392nd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '37. 392nd BG.'
Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Nicknames Origin - A short snorter is either:
a/ A drink of liquor, usually swallowed in one quick gulp. A "short snorter" is a drink of liquor that's not quite full.
b/ A banknote inscribed by people traveling together on an aircraft. The tradition was started by Alaskan Bush flyers in the 1920s and spread through the military and commercial aviation. During World War II short snorters were signed by flight crews and conveyed good luck to soldiers crossing the Atlantic. Friends would take the local currency and sign each other's bills creating a "keepsake of your buddy's signatures".
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 299990
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-416988
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
Manston, Ramsgate, Kent CT12, UK | 2 August 1944 | MISSION#142, Target: Corbie. Returning from target, when hit by Flak approaching French coast, lost 3 engines and crash landed 1/4 mile short of Manston. Single casualty St/Sgt Arthur L Abshier, Flight Engineer KIA. |