FRE 1015

IMAGE

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A bomber crew of the 303rd Bomb Group with their new B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Eight Ball II". Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 23 Dec 1942.' [stamp] and '239808.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ''Photo shows:- Five members of the Fortress crew who each shot down a F.W.190 before having to bale out, photographed in front of their new 'plane "Eight Ball II". They are ( left to right):- Lieut. Robert L. Yonkman ( from Grand Rapids, Michigan)., Lieut, Joseph Strickland ( from Liberty, Miss)., T.Sgt Roman Zaorski ( from Pittfield, Mass.), S.Sgt William C. Mulgrew ( from Brooklyn, N.Y.)., and S/Sgt W.W.Stephens ( from Spokan?, Washington G, December, 1942. PN-S.' Press caption for image series: ‘FORTY FOUR FIGHTERS DESTROYED IN US AIR FORCE RAID ON ROMILLY-SUR-SEINE. Pilot and Co-pilot crash-land Fortress after remainder of crew bale out. Thrilling stories are now being revealed of the big raid on the air park at Romilly-sur-Seine, when Fortresses and Liberators fought their way to and from the target through swarms of enemy fighters. Forty Four of the Nazi planes were destroyed in the air for the loss of six bombers, in some of the fiercest air battles of the war. One of the Fortresses - named “Eight ball” piloted by Capt William R Calhoun, of Birmingham, Alabama, with co-pilot Eugene A. Romig - although badly damaged and riddled by flak managed to struggle back to England, where owing to the danger of an immediate crash the pilot ordered the crew to bale out. Eight men - five of whom are credited with each destroying one Focke Wulf during the return- baled out while Capt. Calhoun and Major Romig continued to earth, finally succeeding in making a crash landing. All the men escaped serious injury and will shortly form the crew of “Eight Ball II”. Blanket caption for Romilly-sur-Seine raid.’

Connections

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Units

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Staff-Sergeant William C Mulgrew of the 303rd Bomb Group climbs through the escape hatch of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943.' [stamp] and '245699.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"I miss the good old American beer and the home town girls" says Staff Sargeant William C Mulgrew of the U.S. Air Force in a message home, but he seems to be cheerful enough as he climbs through the escape hatch of a plane.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32179328
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Staff Sergeant W.W. Stephens a tail gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group admires the emblem "Ace Hi" painted on the tail of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Eight Ball II." Passed for publication 23 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- S/Sgt. W.W. Stephens (from Spokane, Washington) admires the emblem "Ace Hi" painted on the tail of the new "Eight Ball II." after his return. He had the master trump when he shot down a F.W. 190 during the raid. G, December, 1942. P.N.-s.' On reverse: Planet Ne
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39289331
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
A bomber crew of the 303rd Bomb Group with their new B-17 Flying Fortress, after losing their previous aircraft. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Censor date 23/12/42, "Eight Ball II" crew- new plane Lt Joe Strickland & crew. All had to bale out 20/12/42
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-724089
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
A bomber crew of the 303rd Bomb Group with their new B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Eight Ball II". Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 23 Dec 1942.' [stamp] and '239808.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ''Photo shows:- Five members of the Fortress crew who each shot down a F.W.190 before having to bale out, photographed in front of their new 'plane "Eight Ball II". They are ( left to right):- Lieut. Robert L. Yonkman ( from Grand Rapids, Michigan)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-433237
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
A bomber crew of the 303rd Bomb Group with their new B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Eight Ball II". Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 23 Dec 1942.' [stamp] and '239808.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ''Photo shows:- Five members of the Fortress crew who each shot down a F.W.190 before having to bale out, photographed in front of their new 'plane "Eight Ball II". They are ( left to right):- Lieut. Robert L. Yonkman ( from Grand Rapids, Michigan)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11017608
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The 8 Ball MK II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection