Crew of the Boeing B-29 "20th CENTURY UNLIMITED
at A-1, advanced China Base of the 40th Bomb Group
after completion of a raid on Anshan, Manchuria.
Back row, left to right:
2nd Lt. William L. Gardner, Metamora, Ind, bombardier
1st Lt. Jamez V. Decoster, Portland, Oregon, oo-pilot
Capt. Jack C. Ledford, Zanesville, Ohio, pilot
M/Sgt. Harry E, Miller, Denver, Colo., flight engineer
2nd Lt. Harold T. Oblender, Lancaster, Pa., navigator
Front row, left to right:
Sgt.. Gilbert H. Rodencol, Berlin, Wisc., radar operator
Sgt. Thomas A. Clark, Los Angeles Calif., senior gunner
S/Sgt. Charles D. Bacon, New Castle, Pa., right gunner
S/Sgt. D..L. McCullough, Webb City, Mo., radio man
S/Sgt. Russell F. Elwell, Suncook, N.H., left gunner
T/Sgt. Enrico Pisterzi, Arvados, Colo,, tail gunner
|
S/Sgt. Charles D. Bacon, New Castle, Pa., right gunner
of Boeing B-29 "20th CENTURY UNLIMITED",
of the 40th Bomb Group,XX Bomber Command,
on lookout for enemy planes en route to Mission 9,
enemy target at Anshan, Manchuria, China |
Sgt. Thomas A. Clark, Los Angeles, Calif.,
Gun Captain of Boeing B-29 "20th CENTURY UNLIMITED"
of the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
on the alert for enemy planes
while en route to Mission 9
bombing raid on Japanese steel and coke
industries at Anshan, Manchuria, China. |
1st Lt. James V. DeCoster, Portland, Ore.,
co-pilot of "20th CENTURY UNLIMITED"
at controls during return trip
following mission 9. |
At his littered desk in the fore cabin,
Lt. Harold T. Oblender, navigator from Lancaster, Pa.,
computes an "ETA" for Anshan,
thrice the target of XX Bomber Command raids.
"20th CENTURY UNLIMITED" |
Flight Engineer, M/Sgt. Harry C. Miller (Denver, Colorado)
at engineer's instrument panel
on the return trip to base in China
after Mission 9 bombing raid on Anshan.
"20th CENTURY UNLIMITED" |
Capt. Jack C. Ledford ( Zanesville, Ohio),pilot
and 2nd Lt. William L. Gardner (Metora, Indiana), bombardier,
talking things over after the successful
accomplishment of Mission 9, Anshan, Manchuria.
"20th CENTURY UNLIMITED" |
|
Very primitive methods are used by Chinese laborers
who are working on a taxi strip at A-1,
a 20th Bomber Command field in China.
A Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" of the 45th Bomb Squadron,
40th Bomb Group, is in the background. December 1944. |
Mechanics at A-1 working on a Boeing B-29
Superfortress "Katie" (A/C No. 298),
which nosed over into a ditch alongside
the runway when a tire blew out
as it landed. China. |
|
|
The scattered remains of Boeing B-29 "Superfortress"
(A/C No. 42-24582), 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command, at Chakulia, India,
that was demolished as a result of an accident
that occurred when bombs were being unloaded,
14 January 1945.
Boeing B-29 "LAST RESORT", parked in the same dispersal
area,was riddled by fragments from the explosion. |
The smoking remains of the tail section of
Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" (A/C 42-24582),
40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command at Chakulia, India,
that was demolished as a result of an accident
that occurred when bombs were being unloaded,
14 January 1945. |
|
Col. William H. Blanchard, Commanding Officer
of the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
describing formation Boeing B-29s will use
in flying Mission 9 to Anshan, Manchuria, China. |
|
Col. William H. Blanchard, Chelsea, Massachusetts,
C.O. 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
explains a point in the enemy ground positions
at the briefing for the raid on Okayama, Formosa
of 14 October 1944 at a China airbase. |
Col. William H. Blanchard presenting cluster to Air Medal
to 1st Lt. Ralph S. Braley, Waterville, Maine.
Lt. Donald W. Barton and Lt. Robert Hagenbush
awaiting their awards.
INDIA - 20th Bomber Command. |
Col. William H. Blanchard and General Roger M. Ramey
presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to
1st Lt. Mansel R. Clark, Ontario, Oregon.
Capt. F. W. McWalthers reading orders in the background.
20th Bomber Command. INDIA. |
|
Col. William H. Blanchard and General Roger M. Ramey
presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to
1st Lt. John C. Harvell, Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama.
and F/O Elmo Gray awaiting his award.
20th Bomber Command, INDIA. |
Col. William H. Blanchard presenting
the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to Air Medal to
Lt. Col. Henry P. Luna, Port Washington, New York.
The other men awaiting their awards are:
Major John N. Sanders and Lt. Col. Henry R. Sullivan.
20th Bomber Command. INDIA |
Col. William H. Blanchard presenting
Cluster to Air Medal to
Major George T. Weschler, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Other officers awaiting their awards are:
Capt. William R. Schaal and Capt. Clark S. Thomas.
20th Bomber Command. INDIA. |
Crew of the Boeing B-29, "Eddie Allen" of
the 45th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command: left to right, back row:
Major Ira V. Matthews, Lafayette, Alabama, pilot;
1st Lt. Robert A. Winters, Wichita, Kansas, co-pilot;
1st Lt. Herbert C. Hirschfeld, navigator, Chicago, Illinois;
2nd Lt. Charles Behrle, bombardier, New Haven, CT;
Flight Officer Louis F. Grace, engineer,
S/Sgt John J. Mahli, crew chief, Ambridge, Pennsylvania,
Sgt. Claude L. Bolin of Newton, Kansas, assistant crew chief.
Left to right, front row:
T/Sgt Fred H. Thompson, Ft. Worth, Texas, radio operator;
S/Sgt S. V. Sienkiewicz, Cook County, Illinois;
S/Sgt L. E. McBride, Springfield, Massachusetts;
S/Sgt. Samuel P. Winborne, top turret gunner, Raleigh, NC
and Powers. |
Major Ira V. Matthews, Lafayette, Alabama,
pilot of the Boeing B-29 "Eddie Allen",
45th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command. |
The Boeing B-29 "Eddie Allen" at a China airbase.
This plane was named after Eddie Allen,
a chief test pilot at Boeing Aircraft Co.,
Wichita, Kansas, who built and presented the plane
to the Army Air Forces,
The test pilot was killed
in the second experimental B-29. |
|
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress "EDDIE ALLEN"
of the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
nears the target at Rangoon, Burma,
on 3 November 1944. |
Capt. John C. Ivory of Clinton, Iowa,
a navigator with the 45th Bomb Squadron,
40th Bomb Group, 20th Bomber Command,
at his position in the Boeing B-29 "EDDIE ALLEN". China. |
Right Gunner S/Sgt. Leo E. McBride, Springfield, MA
at his position in the Boeing B-29 "Eddie Allen"
during the 14 October 1944 raid on Formosa. |
Part of the Boeing B-29 "Eddie Allen" crew,
Left to right, back row:
S/Sgt. Thomas J. Love, left gunner;
T/Sgt John J. Stockton, radio operator;
T/Sgt William H. Burnett, top turret gunner.
Front row: Sgt. Marcellus B. Vogel, right gunner;
S/Sgt. William R. Trace, tail gunner. |
Radar Operator, S/Sgt. Stanley V. Sienkiewicz
of Chicago, Illinois, at his position
in the Boeing B-29 "Eddie Allen". China. |
Radio Operator, T/Sgt. Fred H. Thompson, Ft. Worth, TX,
at his position in the Boeing B-29 "Eddie Allen"
during the 14th October 1944 raid on Formosa. China. |
Lt. Robert A. Winters, Wichita, Kansas,
co-pilot of the Boeing B-29 "Eddie Allen",
45th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command. |
Air crew and ground crew of the 45th Bomb Squadron,
40th Bomb Group, pose beside a Boeing B-29 "Superfortress"
at a 20th Bomber Command base in China, 7 December 1944.
Back row, left to right:
Capt. G. A. Woolsey, pilot of Weatherford, Texas
S/Sgt. Frederick Drummond, of Watterville, Maine, senior gunner
T/Sgt. Jack Halpern of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, tail gunner
S/Sgt. Raymond L. Doddridge of Traskwood, ARK, left gunner
2nd Lt. George J. Jameson of Creswell, Oregon, flight enginner
M/Sgt. Floyd F. Park, crew chief
PFC. George Rice, Jr. Mechanic
Front row, left to right:
Lt. D. F. Clendenen of Los Angeles, California, pilot
Lt. Sam J. Duva of Detroit, Michigan, navigator
S/Sgt. James T. Smith of Hilham, Tennessee, radio operator
S/Sgt. Frederick T. Kestelroot of Muskegon, MI, right gunner
Sgt. Walton D. Steward of Seattle, Washington, radar operator
Cpl. E. A. Patterson of Corsicana, Texas, mechanic
Lt. Lloyd G. Davis of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, bombardier |
Colonel Alva L. Harvey,
Group Commander |
Sgt. R. H. Archer of Medford, Oregon,
points to a chart showing the correct procedure
for fitting and regulating oxygen masks.
The chart is posted in the War Room
of the 40th Bomb Group
at a 20th Bomber Command base in India. |
T/Sgt. Dearon Bailey, Corpus Christi, Texas,
works on Boeing B-29 Superfortress engine
at 20th Bomber Command base in Western China. |
1st Lt. Charles E. Biehle, of North Vernon, Indiana
is bombardier of "Black Magic", plane no. 276,
of the 45th Squadron, 40th Bomb Group,
20th Bomber Command, which participated in the
21 November 1944 bombing raid on Omura, Japan.
Lt. Biehle has been awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal,
and the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal. |
Crew of Boeing B-29 (A/C #26276 "Black Magic")
pose beside their plane at an air base
in China. 10 May 1944. |
Crew of the B-29 "Black Magic", plane no. 276,
40th Bombardment Group at the end of mission #13 to Omura, Japan.
Back row, left to right:
2nd Lt. Jack L. Riggs, co-pilot
Capt. Silvia D. Lanzoni, pilot
F/O O. O. Townsend, flight engineer
1st Lt. Herbert C. Hirschfeld, navigator
1st Lt. Charles E. Biehle, bombardier
Front row, left to right:
Sgt. Allen R. Read, radio operator
Sgt. W. N. Zalabak, top gunner
Sgt. W. J. Yoder, radar operator
Sgt. Clarence Evans, tail gunner
S/Sgt. Irving Sussenwein, left gunner
Sgt. Walter E. Stambaugh, right gunner. |
Sgt. W. J. Yoder, radar operator of Richland, Iowa.
Sgt. Yoder was radar operator on the "Black Magic",
plane No. 276, of the 45th Squadron,
40th Bomb Group, 20th Bomber Command,
which participated in the 21 November 1944
bombing raid on Omura, Japan. |
Crew of Boeing B-29
(A/C 42-6313 "Ding How")
pose beside their plane at
an air base in China. 10 May 1944. |
Crew of Boeing B-29
(A/C 26308 "Feather Merchant")
pose beside their plane at
an air base in China. 10 May 1944. |
Boeing B-29 (A/C 42-6331 "Gone with the Wind")
at an air base in China. |
Crew of Boeing B-29
(A/C 42-6319 "Himalaya Hussy")
pose beside their plane at
an air base in China, 10 May 1944. |
McGlinn Crew of Boeing B-29 (A/C 42-6291)
pose beside their plane
at an air base in China, 10 May 1944. |
After the new engine has been installed
in Boeing B-29 Superfortress "OUIJA BIRD",
the men work rapidly to connect
wiring and engine lines. China. |
The "OUIJA BIRD"…"Ain't it good." |
Crew of Boeing B-29
(A/C 42-6306 "Pampered Lady")
pose beside their plane at
an air base in China, 10 May 1944. |
Tail section of Boeing B-29
(A/C 42-6342 "Sister Sue")
of the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
with Sgt. Calvin Brown (Kimball, Minnesota) at guns,
and T/Sgt. Jerry M. Bamburg (Tacoma, Washington)
checking dope and fabric on rudder
in preparation for Mission 9
to Anshan, Manchuria. |
Crew of Boeing B-29 (A/C 42-6303 "Typhoon McGoon III")
pose beside their plane
at an air base in China, 10 May 1944. |
Woodruff crew of Boeing B-29
(A/C 42-6326) pose beside their plane at
an air base in China. 10 May 1944. |
Zamry Crew of Boeing B-29 (A/C 42-6304)
pose beside their plane
at an air base in China, 10 May 1944. |
Before leaving on Mission 9 to Anshan, Manchuria
a Boeing B-29 with the 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command, has crew members
attaching fin to one of its 500-lb. bombs.
Fin keeps bomb on course. China. |
Shackling a 500-lb. bomb to load it
in a Boeing B-29 of the 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command, before taking off
for Mission 9 to Anshan, Manchuria.
Bomb is slung on straps, then raised
to position by two hand winches. China. |
Captain Brandon, gunnery officer of the
20th Bomber Command's 40th Bomb Group,
talking to gunners on fire control
at the briefing for the raid on
Bangkok, Thailiand, 27 November 1944. China. |
Sgt. Calvin Brown, Kimball, Minn.,
covering tail guns of a Boeing B-29
of the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
to keep them clean preparatory for
Mission 9 to Anshan, Manchuria.
The cover is removed just before take-off. China. |
War Chart showing progress of the war
in the Pacific is kept up to date by
Lt. Francis J. Cahill, Intelligence Officer
of the 40th Bomb Group.
Various wall panels in the war room
at this 20th Bomber Command base keep
the men abreast of the latest developments
in all theatres of the war. India. |
Topped by the control tower, is the building
housing the offices of Operations and S-2
at the 40th Bomb Group's advance China base.
At right, is seen the section devoted to briefing rooms.
20th Bomber Command instructions to the B-29s
of this Group were directed from this office
during the 11 November 1944 bombing raid on
Omura, Japan, and on Nanking and Shanghai,
in China. |
Crew of one of the Boeing B-29s of the 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command, who took part in the Mission 9
bombing raid on Anshan, Manchuria,
enjoying refreshments before interrogation. |
Members of Beoing B-29 crew,
attached to the 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command, eating chow after their return
from Mission 9 bombing raid on Anshan, Manchuria.
Pouring coffee is Sgt. Robert Easter, Syracuse, NY,
while Lt. Fjkulick, Greenville, Miss,. holds his cup. China. |
An "Evasion Escape" vest with all of the equipment
that it holds in its pockets is displayed
on one of the wall panels
at the 40th Bomb Group War Room
at a 20th Bomber Command base in India. |
Officers and enlisted men of the 40th Bomb Group
in China work together to get finished
the job of transporting empty gasoline drums. |
Men attached to the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
talking things over in the interrogation room
after the Mission 9 bombing raid of Japanese
steel and coke industries at Anshan, Manchuria, China.
They are left to right:
S/Sgt. Charles D. Bacon, New Castle, PA, right gunner
S/Sgt. D. V. McCullough, Webb City, Miss., radio operator
Sgt. Gilbert H. Rodencal, Berlin, Wisc., radar operator
Standing:2nd Lt. Harold T. Oblender, Lancaster, PA, Navigator |
Crew of a Boeing B-29 "Superfortress"
of the 40th Bomb Group beside their plane
at a 20th Bomber Command base in India.
Front row, left to right: Sgt. Joseph V. Daviner
Sgt. Alfred C. Spivey:T/Sgt. Claude E. French;
S/Sgt. Richard T. Thiegs;T/Sgt. Ernest O. Skeen
Second row, left to right:
Lt. Julian T. Brice, Jr;F/O Robert J. Kehrer
1st Lt. Lewis H. Gray;Major Charles R. Mallory, Jr;
1st Lt. Robert Hagenbush;Lt. John L. Middleton |
S/Sgt. Henry J. DeFica uses aerial photographs
and maps as a guide in preparing a chart
of the target area - Rangoon (Burma) Marshalling Yards.
The completed chart will be used for briefing
crews of the 40th Bomb Group, 20th Bomber Command. |
Cpl. George J. Levine of Brooklyn, NY, left
and Cpl. Leonard Louis of New York, NY,
put maps into a navigator's map kit
in preparation for a mission.
The men are working in the map room
of the 40th Bomb Group
at a 20th Bomber Command base in India.
Cpl. Levine was a member of the 45th Bomb Squadron. |
Crew members of a Boeing B-29 "Superfortress"
(A/C no 306) of the 40th Bomb Group
study a map before taking off
from their 20th Bomber Command base in India.
They are, left to right:
Lt. Julian T. Brice, Jr., F/O Robert J. Kehrer,
Lt. Lewis H. Gray, Major Charles R. Mallory, Jr., pilot,
T/Sgt. Ernest O. Skeen and Lt. John L. Middleton. |
Capt. MacAllister of the Ordnance Dept
of the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
removing fuse from an unexploded anti-personnel bomb. India. |
1st Lt. Marshall H. Norton of San Antonio, Texas,
a bombardier with the 45th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group.
20th Bomber Command, at his position
in a Boeing B-29 in China. |
Interrogation of B-29 crew members of the 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command, following 25 October 1944 bombing
raid on Omura, Japan,
by Group Intelligence Officer.
Seated around table, (L to R)
Sgt. David F. Logoy, Plattsburg, NY, S/Sgt. John K. Jenson,
Lt. Bruce Mille, Cpl. William T. Douglas, Kansas City, MO
and S/Sgt. Clifford A. Bell, Cottonwood, Kansas. |
Princess Patsy, a B-29 taking off
the Army's huge new plane, the Boeing B-29 bomber,
is seen taking off for a flight. China. |
Lt. Col. Oscar R. Schaff, pilot, 45th Bomb Squadron,
and Major J.D. White, pilot, 44th Bomb Squadron,
compare notes after the 17 October 1944 raid on Formosa,
over coffee and doughnuts at a China airbase. |
Col. Oscar R. Schaff and crew, 45th Bomb Squadron,
40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
at crew inspections prior to embarking
and taking their positions for takeoff
on the 3rd Formosa raid 17 October 1944,
carried out exclusively by the 40th Bomb Group in China. |
Boeing B-29 crews listening to Major Scherck,
Intelligence Officer
of the 40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command,
describe enemy flak positions and enemy plane dispositions
during briefing for Mission 9 to Anshan, Manchuria. China. |
Major Louis E. Scherck, Houston, Texas,
40th Bomb Group, XX Bomber Command
explains secondary and tertiary targets of opportunity
at the briefing for the raid on Okayama, Formosa
of 14 October 1944 at a China airbase. |
Major Louis E. Scherck, Houston, Texas, 40th Bomb Group,
XX Bomber Command in China, "pitches in" and rolls empty
gasoline drums to trucks waiting to haul them to another area. |
|
Sgt. Calvin Brown, Kimball, Minn.,
cleans the upper forward guns of the 20th Bomber Command
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Sister Sue". China. |
Sgt. Robert N. Archer of Medford, Oregon,
is in charge of the scoreboard
showing Japanese planes destroyed, probably destroyed
or damaged by squadrons of the 40th Bomb Group.
This chart and various wall panels on the War Room
at this 20th Bomber Command base keep the men
informed on the latest developments in all war theatres. India. |
|
Capt. Truesdale of Greensboro, North Carolina,
points to a bad spot in taxi strip of a field in China,
which is shown on a chart posted at the War Room
of the 40th Bomb Group
at a 20th Bomber Command base in India.
Charts of this nature keep the pilots of the
Boeing B-29 "Superfortresses" informed on the conditions
of airfields which they may have to land on. |
