FRE 723
IMAGEA bomber crew led by First Lieutenant Harold Beasley (centre) of the 91st Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (LG-T, serial number 42-5172) nicknamed "Thunderbird" after a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication Apr 1943' [stamp].'256838' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse is damaged, what remains reads: 'Photo shows:-1st Lieut. Harold Beasley [centre] and his crew on their return from the Antwerp raid. They also took part in the previous days raid on Paris when they shot down four enemy fighters. On Sundays raid their plane "Royal Flush"[LL-E, serial number 42-5132] was attacked seven times and was so badly damaged that for Monday they had a new plane "Thunderbird". Members of Lieut. Beasleys crew are- S/Sgt Nick Sandoff (waist gunner) from Toledo, Ohio. T/Sgt J.M. Franklin (radio) from Kansas City, Missouri. S/Sgt E.G Jedinak (waist gunner) from Pittsburg. Lieut Harry D Sipe (navigator) from Pittsburgh Pa. Leiut R B Walker (co-pilot) from Somerset, Pa. [S/Sgt James L. Branch] (ball turret), from... Arkansas. S/Sgt Mark L. [Schaefer (top turret gunner)], from Grantsville, [Maryland]. 1st Lieut [Jack] Fisher (Bombardier)from Detroit... and S/Sgt [Everett Creason]... from... Oregon. April 6 1943 PN.' (Crew names in parenthesis have been gathered from 91BG roster) Press caption for image series: ‘EXCLUSIVE PICTURES AS CREWS RETURN FROM RAID. Night and Day air blitz of enemy continues. “Forts” smash Axis factories at Antwerp. Raid carried out by crews who took part in Paris raid previous day. The greatest air offensive in history is being carried out by the Anglo-American air forces. For 72 hours bombs have been crashing down on Hitler’s Europe in the West almost nonstop. Axis Factories, ports and shipping have felt the weight of allied bombs. On Sunday American Fortresses raided the Renault works at Billancourt, near Paris with telling effect. On Monday the same crews took part in a smashing attack on the Erla plane engine works at Antwerp, where Minerva car engines used to be made. In addition to the great damage inflicted by the heavy weight of the bombs a number of German Fighters were shot down by the bombers. One of the American Fortresses piloted by 1st Lieut Harold H Beasley of Andalusia, Alabama shot down four German fighters in the Paris raid and another one during the Antwerp Raid. NOTE TO CENSOR: This is the general story for the series of pictures herewith. Each of which bears its individual descriptive caption. Planet News. USAF Facility Visit. 6 Apr 1943.’
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Units
- 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
- Service Numbers: O-379237
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot