42-29797 Old Ironsides
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FRE 718
Lieutenant-Colonel Baskin Lawrence, Lieutenant Chauncey Hicks and Staff Sergeant Willaim Zeigler of the 91st Bomb Group visit Technical Sergeant James Osborne in hospital, who was injured when their B-17 Flying Fortress (LL-Y, serial number 42-29797) nicknamed "Old Ironsides" crashed into the Channel on return from a mission over Germany. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 21 Jun 1943' [stamp] and '271235' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'SAIDMAN. ILLUS. 23.8.43. U.S.AIR FORCE. O.P.S.2 Wounded Flying Fortress Radio man rescued from the water by R.A.F. Air-Sea Rescue Service Technical Sgt. James F Osborne of Huntingdon, West Virginia, went down into the Channel in his ship OLD IRONSIDES on the return the Huls raid. "Those ol' Spits" Sgt. Osborne tells his Commanding Officer Lieut.Col. Baskin Lawrence, "were a life saver". "They brought the boat right to us in 30 minutes". Standing on the left is the wounded bombardier of Old Ironsides, Lieut. Chauncey Hicks, Huntingdon, West Virginia, still dressed in the R.A.F uniform issued him for dry clothes. On the right is the wounded Tail gunner, S/Sgt. William G. Zeigler, Erie, Pa., also a temporary R.A.F recruit [obscured by censor]' Handwritten caption on reverse: '229797 LL-Y, USAAF. OLD IRONSIDES, Lt Col Baskin Lawrence CO 91BG.'
Roger Freeman Collection
FRE 718
Delivered Cheyenne 19/2/43; Will Rogers 5/3/43; Assigned 401BS/91BG [LL-Y] Bassingbourn 18/5/43; Missing in Action 2m Huls 22/6/43 with Buster Peck, Co-pilot: Francis Porada, Navigator: Gerry Williams, Bombardier: Chauncey Hicks, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ray Thompson, Radio Operator: Jim Osborne, Ball turret gunner: Russell Hatton, Waist gunner: Norbert Suierz, Waist gunner: Bill Ziegler (9 Returned to Duty);Tail gunner: Evert Lindberg (KIA-body washed up near Alkmaar 17/7/43); enemy aircraft KO’d #4 and some controls, ditched Channel, crew rescued by RAF Air Sea Rescue boat. OLD IRONSIDES.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735197
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15 105 226
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Role/Job: Mid-Ship Radio Operator, Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield