Roscoe Ann the Bear

Mascot
"Roscoe Ann" the bear Mascot of the 390th Bomb Group sits atop crates of ammunition. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], '278516.' [Censor no.] A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '13-8-43.' media-380365.jpg FRE 1560 "Roscoe Ann" the bear Mascot of the 390th Bomb Group sits atop crates of ammunition. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], '278516.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: "Bear cub mascot of American bomber squadron - 'Roscoe' who became 'Ann'. The 'Bombing Bruins', an operational squadron of the American bomber force in Britain, have as their mascot, a bear cub originally named 'Roscoe'. It was later found to be a female of the species and has consequently been renamed 'Ann'. 'Roscoe Ann' always accompanies the crews to the take off, riding on the bonnet of a jeep. Photo shows: 'Roscoe Ann' sits on a pile of ammunition as ground crews load up a bomber for an operation (SEA-POOL August 14 1943)." (Passed for publication - General Section, Press & Censorship Bureau, 13 August 1943) Handwritten caption on reverse: '13-8-43.' Roger Freeman Collection

Updated with caption from photograph.

Object Number - FRE 1560 - "Roscoe Ann" the bear Mascot of the 390th Bomb Group sits atop crates of ammunition. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], '278516.'...

Roscoe was gifted to Lt George Nelson by a park ranger when "he" was a cub, after Nelson, and 11 other officers were inducted into the Blackfeet Indian Tribe.



Roscoe travelled to England in the radio room of Lt Beckers B-17 Flying Fortress, and became the official mascot of the 569th Bomb Squadron. "He" enjoyed life at Parham, having free run of the base, and choice of the bunks to sleep in. Eventually it was discovered that Roscoe was actually female, so she was renamed Roscoe Ann!



As she grew older and more adventurous Roscoe Ann would wander into local villages, where she would delight the local children and terrorised the local church. Unfortunately she developed a love for sweets which led to health problems. Six months after joining the 390th at Parham she had to be put down, the officer who had the unfortunate job of doing this, claimed it was the toughest assignment he ever had.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.

390th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

George B Nelson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Ground Echelon

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman Collection

8th in the East Learning Pack

Roscoe Ann the Bear: Gallery (2 items)

"Roscoe Ann" the bear Mascot of the 390th Bomb Group sits atop crates of ammunition. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], '278516.' [Censor no.] A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '13-8-43.'

Object number: FRE 1560 - "Roscoe Ann" the bear Mascot of the 390th Bomb...

A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group disembark from a Jeep with their bear mascot "Roscoe Anne" before a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Planet News.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 13 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘278518.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'BEAR CUB MASCOT OF AMERICAN BOMBER SQUADRON. "ROSCOE" WHO BECAME "ANN". The "Bombing Bruins" an operational squadron of the American Bomber force in Britain, have as their mascot a bear cub, originally

Object number: FRE 1567 - A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group disembark...