Following recent government announcements the museum is currently closed, there is plenty to explore in our online archive.
The American Air Museum is a charity - Find out how you can support us
By downloading this image, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions
Hudson crew, 447th bomb group, 711th squadron. Photo taken at Rattlesden, England, early 1944. Individuals unidentified in photo. Crew consisted of Lt. Wesley G. Hudson, Lt. Willard B. Corley, Lt. Norman Bishusky, Lt. Joseph C. Hendrix, S/Sgt. Edward J. Kelly, S/Sgt. Donald M. Jungenburg, Sgt. Leo A. St. Laurent, Pvt. Burton L. Wilson, Sgt. Charles E. Gorman, Sgt. James E. Penwell
Group
The 447th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses on strategic bombardment missions out of Rattlesden, Suffolk. With their first mission coming on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1943, their main focus was hitting sites that would weaken enemy forces...
Squadron
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military
Assigned to Wesley Hudson's crew and served on B-17 42-31088 nicknamed "Heaven Can Wait"
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner
Killed in Action on 27 March 1944, in B-17G #42-38085. His aircraft crashed near Bullswood Lane, Cockfield shortly after takeoff in poor weather. His aircraft was seen burning before it dove into the ground, causing the bombs on board to explore, and...
Military
Military site : airfield
Built for the Eighth Air Force in 1942, Rattlesden had three concrete runways, 50 hardstandings and two dispersed T2 hangars. Intended to be a twin-engine B-26 bomber base, it was originally a satellite for nearby Rougham, and first occupied from...
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 07 June 2020 22:12:42 | timothymotz | Changes to caption and person associations |
| Sources | ||
Timothy Motz, from Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/41056; identifications from 447bg.com |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 07 June 2020 22:08:24 | timothymotz | Created entry with collection, caption, unit associations, person associations and place associations |
| Sources | ||
Timothy Motz, from Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/41056; identifications from 447bg.com |
||
