IWM catalogue record
This contains information written on the back of the original print and some of it may be inaccurate.
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24361) of the 301st Bomb Group prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '2-10-42. Chelveston, 301BG.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Flying Fortress Raid French Factory. Associated Press Photo Shows:- A Flying Fortresses takes off for the raid on Meaulte. AP 252181. 5-10-42-N.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].
Connections
Units
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Group
Activated 3-February-1942 at Geiger Field, Washington and equipped with B-17s. On 27-May-1942 the ground unit moved to Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, and the aircraft went to Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base), California for...
Aircraft
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B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned RAF [FA676] but transferred 301BG Westover 18/7/42; Podington 6/8/42; Tafaraoui, Alg 24/11/42; 96BS/2BG Massicault, Tun {38m} 348BS/99BG Oudna, Tun 28/3/44 {52m}; 840BS/483BG Tortorella, It 31/3/44; {98m in total} Returned to the USA 11/6/44;...
Missions
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30 September 1942
31FG despatches 42 Spitfires on a practice sweep along the Channel coast of England.
Locations
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Military site : airfield
Chelveston was adapted and expanded in preparation for the arrival of American forces. Rather than heavy bombers, the first aircraft to fly from its runways were C-47 Skytrains that were flown by the 60th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. The first...