42-31228 London Avenger

B-17 Flying Fortresses nicknamed "London Avenger", nicknamed "Bermondsley Battler", nicknamed "Rotherhithe's Revenge" and nicknamed "Bermondsley" of the 379th Bomb Group, 15 February 1944. Passed for publication 16 Feb 1944. Censor no: 305411. Handwritten caption on reverse: '16/2/44.' Printed caption on reverse: ' CHRISTENS U.S. FORTRESS BOMBER. Feb. 16th, 1944. As an appreciation of £800,000 raised during Bermondsey's Wings for Victory Week., the people of Bermondsey christened a U.S. Fortress bomber " media-413437.jpg FRE 4753 B-17 Flying Fortresses nicknamed "London Avenger", "Bermondsey Battler", "Rotherhithe's Revenge" and "Bermondsey", 16 February 1944. Passed for publication 16 Feb 1944. Censor no: 305411.

Handwritten caption on reverse: '16/2/44.'
Printed caption on reverse: ' CHRISTENS U.S. FORTRESS BOMBER. Feb. 16th, 1944. As an appreciation of £800,000 raised during Bermondsey's Wings for Victory Week., the people of Bermondsey christened a U.S. Fortress bomber "Rotherhithe Revenge" at a U.S. bomber in England . Three other bombers were named by their crews also in honour of Bermondsey. The picture shows:- The four Bermondsey U.S. Fortress bombers lined up at the christening ceremony. They are "LONDON AVENGER", "BERMONDSEY BATTLER", "ROTHERHITHE REVENGE" & "BERMONDSEY SPECIAL".
On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Corrections to caption from information in aircraft records/Freeman images.

Object Number - FRE 4753 - B-17 Flying Fortresses nicknamed "London Avenger", "Bermondsey Battler", "Rotherhithe's Revenge" and "Bermondsey", 16 February 1944. Passed for...

Delivered Denver 4/10/43; Gr Island 17/10/43; Romulus 24/10/43; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-G] Kimbolton 22/11/43; with Keith Phinney crash landed into Duxford base quarters, 4 CREW & 5 EM killed 21/1/45; Salvaged 2 SAD Lt Staughton 25/1/45. LONDON AVENGER.



Confirmation of date of crash and any casualties is sought as the only matching incident recorded by Duxford's firefighting team states: 'On the 20th of January a B-17 crash landed off base, all the crew were safe and no fire was noted.'

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19179290
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19162066
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36644083
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-694353
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Landing accident

Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QR, UK 21 January 1945

Other

Salvaged

Little Staughton, Bedford MK44, UK 25 January 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Copy of Duxford's firefighters daily reports held at IWM Duxford.

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbaat.asp?theAT=B-17&offset=1950

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-31228: Gallery (3 items)