FRE 3455

IMAGE

By downloading this image, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions

First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson in the cockpit of the B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23788, Avenger, with the aircraft's dog mascot : Pilot Officer Rusty. 'Printed caption on reverse : 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many missions. Pilot Officer "Rusty" - mascot of a Liberator operating from this country, was flown to England from the U.S. He has taken part in numerous bombing raids including that on the oilfields at Ploesti.' Associated Press Photo Shows : 'Rusty' with his owner, 1st. Lt. Robert. C. Peterson, of Ogden, Utah, navigator of the Liberator. TET 261673/4/5 251043Y Handwritten caption on reverse of print : '44 BG B-24 Liberator, Avenger, showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse : Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story : 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many missions. Pilot Officer "Rusty" - mascot of a Liberator operating from this country, was flown to England from the U.S. He has "taken part" in numerous bombing raids including that made on the oilfields at Ploesti.'

Connections

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

Units

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson, a navigator of the 44th Bomb Group, sits inside the B-24 Liberator he serves on with the aircraft's dog mascot: Pilot Officer "Rusty". 

Image stamped with Ministry of Information press censor, 25 October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many missions. Pilot Officer "Rusty" - mascot of a liberator operating from this country, was flown to England from the U.S. He has "taken part" in numerous bombing raids including that made on the oi
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Pilot Officer "Rusty", the mascot of the 44th Bomb Group, stands in front of a B-24 Liberator at Shipdham. Image stamped with Ministry of Information press censor, 25 October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many missions. Pilot Officer "Rusty" - mascot of a liberator operating from this country, was flown to England from the U.S. He has "taken part" in numerous bombing raids including that made on the oilfields at Ploesti. Associated Press Photo Shows: "Rusty" sits noncha
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Mascot
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Pilot Officer
  • Role/Job: Mascot

Aircraft

First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson of the 44th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23788) with the aircraft's dog mascot: Pilot-Officer "Rusty". A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: '44BG B-24 Liberator Avenger showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many mi
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Avenger
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron

Mission

Revisions

Date:
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

Caption update

Date:
ContributorKickapoo
ChangesChanges to caption and mission associations
Sources

Black Sunday-Ploesti - Michael Hill

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection