FRE 10449

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The crew of a 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress have a last-minute briefing before they board to take-off. The engineer (standing in the back row) has not been identified; the remainder of the crew are, from left to right: Lieutenant R.L. Caukin, bombardier from Los Angeles, California; Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, tail gunner from Cisco, Texas; Lieutenant John H. Perkins, co-pilot from Chicago; Lieutenant H.B. West, navigator from Fall River, Massachusetts; Staff Sergeant Gerald W. Brookman, waist gunner from Wichita Falls, Texas; Technical Sergeant Homer B. Ramsey, radio operator from Bakersfield, California; and Lieutenant Charles O. Cramer, pilot. Stooping in front - left to right: Staff Sergeant Lyle F. Horton, ball gunner from Morgrantown, West Virginia; and Staff Sergeant W.L. Jameson, waist gunner from Lima, Ohio. Passed for publication 21 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'No. 9. Fortress Pilot talks to his crew. Lieut. Charles O. Cramer (Right) giving last-minute instructions to his men. Left to right: Lieut. R.L. Caukin, Los Angeles Cal. (bomber); S/Sergt. James L. Stafford, Cisco Texas (Tail Gunner); Lieut. John H. Perkins Chigago[sic] (Co-Pilot); Lieut. H.B. West, Fall River, Mass. (Navigator); S/Sergt. Gerald W. Brookman, Wichita Falls, Texas (Waist Gunner); T/Sergt. Homer B. Ramsey, Bakersfield, Cal. (Radio). Stooping in front - left to right: S/Sergt. Lyle F. Horton, Morgrantown, West Virginia (ball gunner); and S/Sergt. W.L. Jameson, Lima, Ohio (waist gunner).' Censor no: 259778. On reverse: Planet News Ltd., US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

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The crew of a 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress have a last-minute briefing before they board to take-off. The engineer (standing in the back row) has not been identified; the remainder of the crew are, from left to right: Lieutenant R.L. Caukin, bombardier from Los Angeles, California; Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, tail gunner from Cisco, Texas; Lieutenant John H. Perkins, co-pilot from Chicago; Lieutenant H.B. West, navigator from Fall River, Massachusetts; Staff Sergeant Gerald W. Brookman, wai
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group
A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group walk past their B-17 Flying Fortress. From left to right, they are: Staff Sergeant Lyle F. Horton, from Morganstown, West Virginia (ball gunner); Lieutenant Charles O. Cramer, from Akron, Ohio (pilot); Staff Sergeant Gerald W. Brookman, from Wichita Falls, Texas (top-turret gunner); Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, from Cisco, Texas (tail gunner); Lieutenant R.B. West, from Fall River, Massachusetts, (navigator); Lieutenant R.L. Caukin, from Los Angeles, California (
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group
Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, tail gunner of the 305th Bomb Group, from Cisco, Texas, standing in the centre, shows his girlfriend's freshman school cap, which he wore as a good-luck charm on raids under his steel helmet. With him from left to right are Staff Sergeant Gerald W. Brookman, from Wichita Falls, Texas; Staff Sergeant B.B. Cropp, from Justin, Texas; and Technical Sergeant Lyle F. Horton, from Morganstown, West Virginia. Passed as censored 21 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'No. 13. Ph
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661862
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group walk past their B-17 Flying Fortress. From left to right, they are: Staff Sergeant Lyle F. Horton, from Morganstown, West Virginia (ball gunner); Lieutenant Charles O. Cramer, from Akron, Ohio (pilot); Staff Sergeant Gerald W. Brookman, from Wichita Falls, Texas (top-turret gunner); Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, from Cisco, Texas (tail gunner); Lieutenant R.B. West, from Fall River, Massachusetts, (navigator); Lieutenant R.L. Caukin, from Los Angeles, California (
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

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Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection