Eager the dog
Mascot
media-380423.jpg
FRE 1618
Sergeant Milton C Schwermer and Staff Sergeant Willis P Roy of the 390th Bomb Group pass their new dog mascot "Eager" through the waist gun position of their B-17 Flying Fortress to their fellow airman Sergeant Swen A Zetterberg.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '280607.' [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: 'REGENSBURG RAIDERS RETURN FROM NORTH AFRICA - BOMBING BORDEAUX EN ROUTE. United States Eighth Air Force Flying Fortresses, returning from Africa after bombing Regensburg, Germany, on August 17, attack an assembly plant in Bordeaux during daylight yesterday, August 24. Good bombing results were reported , and opposition was not severe. Seven enemy aircraft were destroyed by the heavy bombers. When the crews landed at their British bases they carried souvenirs obtained during their six-day stay in Africa including Fezzes, Arab knives, battle trophies from the North African campaign and a pet terrier renamed "EAGER".
Associated Press Photo shows: "Eager a terrier mascot “picked up" in Africa by airmen of U.S.A.A.F. who made the heavy raid on Regensburg and bombed Bordeaux on the return flight to Britain, wears an appropriate sphinx-like expression as he is handed down from a Fortress bomber which participated in the two-way raid. In the cabin of the Fortress are Sgt. Milton C. Schwermer, 19, Ball turret gunner, of Michigan city, Ind., (left )and S/Sgt. Willis P. Roy, 23-year-old Radio Operator from ST. Paul, Minn. receiving "Eager" is SGT. Swen A Zetterberg, 19 Waist-gunner, whose home is in Rookford, Ill. 259968 25843 U.’ Roger Freeman Collection
Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '280607.' [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: 'REGENSBURG RAIDERS RETURN FROM NORTH AFRICA - BOMBING BORDEAUX EN ROUTE. United States Eighth Air Force Flying Fortresses, returning from Africa after bombing Regensburg, Germany, on August 17, attack an assembly plant in Bordeaux during daylight yesterday, August 24. Good bombing results were reported , and opposition was not severe. Seven enemy aircraft were destroyed by the heavy bombers. When the crews landed at their British bases they carried souvenirs obtained during their six-day stay in Africa including Fezzes, Arab knives, battle trophies from the North African campaign and a pet terrier renamed "EAGER".
Associated Press Photo shows: "Eager a terrier mascot “picked up" in Africa by airmen of U.S.A.A.F. who made the heavy raid on Regensburg and bombed Bordeaux on the return flight to Britain, wears an appropriate sphinx-like expression as he is handed down from a Fortress bomber which participated in the two-way raid. In the cabin of the Fortress are Sgt. Milton C. Schwermer, 19, Ball turret gunner, of Michigan city, Ind., (left )and S/Sgt. Willis P. Roy, 23-year-old Radio Operator from ST. Paul, Minn. receiving "Eager" is SGT. Swen A Zetterberg, 19 Waist-gunner, whose home is in Rookford, Ill. 259968 25843 U.’ Roger Freeman Collection
Edits to caption for legibility
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment