340th Bomb Group    487th Bomb Squadron Planes

 

12th_AF_Insignia   200px-340th_Bombardment_Group_-_WW_II_Emblem  Description: Description: 487th_squadron_insignia2

 

B-25 Photos from Charles Cook’s Photo Collection

Edited by his son Doug Cook.  Comments and corrections welcome.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Last update October 18, 2014

 

 

Photos unless noted otherwise are from Charles Cook’s Collection

My father was a B-25 pilot in the 487th Squadron. I have always assumed that my father personally took these photos since I remember him saying that he mixed his photo chemicals in unlabeled wine bottles.  One time he used the wrong bottle confusing developer for fixer and ruined a roll of film. I have seen some of these photos in other collections (http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/planes13.html ) so I have to assume that Dad shared them or the men swapped photos.

Thanks to many squadron veterans, families, and friends who have contributed! 

 

 

These B-25 Bombers were primarily B-25 J Models.

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-32704 - 7A    “MY NAKED ASS”

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

6

April 13, 1944

Ficulle NW RRB

647 7A

RD Schooley

CM Cook

ES Johnson

ES Johnson

CL Fritch

TC Iwan

JA LeBaron

7

April 14, 1944

Vitterbo A/D

647 7A

WW Holmes

CM Cook

ME Thompson

ME Thompson

WL Woodwards

CE Fey

CD Stephenson

8

April 15, 1944

Marsciano RRB

647 7A

WW Holmes

CM Cook

ME Thompson

ME Thompson

EE Mathurin

CE Fey

CD Stephenson

10

April 18, 1944

Ficulle NW RRB

647 7A

WW Holmes

CM Cook

ES Johnson

ES Johnson

EE Mathurin

LJ Crosby

CD Stephenson

24

May 28, 1944

Pisa Albavola Rd and RR Br

704 7A

CM Cook

FE Porter

M Holzman

M Holzman

TR Olander

LJ Crosby

RS Lincks

26

May 31, 1944

Troop concentration at F919497

704 7A

CM Cook

FE Porter

GH Smith

GH Smith

TR Olander

LJ Crosby

RE Gerhardt

 

 

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_my_naked_ass

 

 

 

 

Description: Description: My_Naked_Ass_Billy de Vorss

INSPIRATION!  Original pin-up art by Billy de Vorss

 

 

Description: Description: 7-A-1A

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

Description: Description: 7-A-7-U-B25-J

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

 

Description: Description: _7A_43-27704 487

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27541 - 7B “BITCH N MITCH”

Chas. Cook (back row right) flew this plane on Aug. 12, 1944 to bomb gun positions at Drammont, France prior to S. France D-Day invasion.  The next mission he flew it on was D-Day Aug. 15. 1944 to bomb a bridge in Avignon, France.  He was hit by heavy flak and sustained control damage and 109 flak holes.  He still took out the target and returned safely to base.  This mission earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

47

August 12, 1944

Porquerolles Gun Pos.(France)

541 7B

WJ Smith

CM Cook

CF Donovan

CF Donovan

TR Olander

GF Becker

L Cerbara

51

August 15, 1944

Avignon  RR Brs (France) PM

541 7B

CM Cook

WJ Smith

CF Donovan

CF Donovan

TR Olander

GF Becker

JL Parks

64

January 4, 1945

Ala (Trento) RR Br

541 7B

CM Cook

DA Peters

VJ Lyle

HH Frazier

CF Fredericks

FC Williams

FJ LaPierre

66

January 15, 1945

San Margherita RR Br

541 7B

CM Cook

OB Parish

HL Trudell

HH Frazier

JS Wisenowski

J Lieberman

PH Mabe

 

 

Description: Description: b25_Bitch_n_Mitch_Dad_crew007_R

 

Description: Description: b25_Bitch_n_Mitch_004_R

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_bitch_n_mitch

 

Description: Description: B25_nose_Bitch_N_Mitch_album

 

Description: Description: B_25s_in_formation_en_echelon_7B_Miss_Mitchell

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 42-87461 - 7C

 

Description: Description: 7-C-1-B25-J

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

Lost or destroyed

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-28074 - 7C

Lost or destroyed

Description: Description: 7-C-4-B25-J

Photos courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

Description: Description: 7-C-2-B25-J

 

340th BG 487th BS  7C  ROSIE  SN UNKNOWN

Description: Description: B25_Rosie_album

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

Description: Description: _7C_487th_BS_Rosie

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay               FULL RES 6 MB

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27656 - 7C

McKinley Jr. High

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

19

May 19, 1944

Pontassieve RRB

656 7C

WA McLaughlin

CM Cook

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

HM Hyland

ED Simonson

R Bishop

27

June 1, 1944

Fossato viaduct

656 7C

CM Cook

FE Porter

JP Mako

JP Mako

GL Lewis

JC Holloman

JC Dinkler

 

Description: Description: Mckinley_Jr_High_plane2

 

PUBLICITY CREW PHOTO of McKINLEY JR. HIGH after her MAIDEN MISSION MAY 19, 1944

The plane was financed by Muncie, IN students raising war bonds!!

PLANE was SHOT DOWN JUNE 22, 1944

Description: Description: Mckinley_Jr_High_crew2

Left to right) Pilot 1st Lt. William A. McLaughlin ; Pilot  2nd Lt.  Charles M. Cook (photo credit);

Radio Operator/Gunner T/Sgt. Harvey Hyland;Turret Gunner/Engineer Sgt. Eugene Simonson;

Tail Gunner Sgt. Robert Bishop; Copilot  2nd Lt.  George Simpson (shot down April 6 and made it back!)

(kneeling) Crew Chief S/Sgt. Howard Pinneo; Asst. Crew Chief/ Gunner S/Sgt Charles Floyd

 

Soon after this photo, the plane was shot down 6/22/44 by German flak over Griciliana, Italy killing the pilot Tom Casey and top turret and waist gunners. (The tale is well written by the surviving co-pilot Harry D. George in his book Georgio Italiano ISBN 1-55212-538-6 ]

Description: Description: 7C_B-25Crash

7C Hit and going down:  Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

This photo also appears in “Georgio Italiano”.

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27556 - 7D

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

4

April 7, 1944

Ficulle RR Br S

962 7D

BJ Barry

CM Cook

MA Currentz

EL Elsner

TR Olander

WC Drause

DE Longwedel

 

Description: Description: B25_7D_album

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

B-25_7D_crash

 

487th Veteran Capt. James Littlefield: “I was given the DFC for getting back from my 10th mission on one engine and we ran out of fuel, brakes shot out and my good engine quit 1/4 of the way down the runway. We crashed, but no one was hurt badly. Everyone else got the Purple Heart. [Your father’s album had] one of the pictures of 7D [after the landing]. I made Captain after I returned to the states.”   [I asked James for some details on this skilled emergency landing.] “ In regards to 7D, It's been a longtime since that happened, I can't say that it was my skill and determination that got us back. I did what I had been taught to do to get the plane and crew back. It was something a lot of pilots did from time to time. We were hit [by flak] over the target and lost the right engine and on this mission we were breaking left and down after we had dropped our bombs so I lost a lot of altitude. We were leaking fuel but we couldn't see it.  The B-25 could maintain altitude on one engine but couldn’t climb. We tossed out some equipment that wasn't tied down in order to clear the mountains on Italy’s west coast. We had no problems and made clear approach, with the meat wagons waiting on us. I lowered the nose and checked the brakes and they seemed OK. I then pulled the nose up to kill some speed. When the nose came down, the right brake gave away and the left brake locked. I hit the left throttle to bring the ship to the right and the left engine ran out of fuel, taking us left. I told the copilot to pull the emergency air lever. He pumped the hydraulic pump instead. We hit an old bomb casing, knocking out the nose gear. The mission [target] as have it noted in my log book was Fano [M/Y June 10, 1944  NE coast of Italy- a long way to  limp back to Corsica!].  I didn't keep very good records. 7D had no name or nose art. “

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27540 - 7E

WATCH COPIER

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

32

June 6, 1944

Orvieto Rd Br

540 7E

CM Cook

FE Porter

MJ Lukas

MJ Lukas

TR Olander

GF Becker

RT Egan

49

August 14, 1944

Frejus E Gun Pos. (France)

540 7E

CM Cook

WJ Smith

CF Donovan

CF Donovan

TR Olander

GF Becker

JW Miller

50

August 15, 1944

Antheor Beach Viaduct (France)

540 7E

CM Cook

WJ Smith

JF Craber

CF Donovan

TR Olander

GF Becker

PE Sekaras

59

December 10, 1944

Calliano RR Br

540 7E

CM Cook

FL Holley

CF Donovan

HH Frazier

HM Hyland

L  Cerbara

GF Becker

61

December 27, 1944

Borovinica RR viaduct

540 7E

BO Lyons

CM Cook

JF Quinlan

FL Cormack

JS Wisenowski

J Lieberman

NC Thomas

71

January 29, 1945

Rovereto RR diversion

540 7E

CM Cook

WE McGiffin

DC Solether

WE Krebs

PH Mabe

L Cerbara

EA Kenyon

 

Description: Description: 487th_B25_7E_Watch_Copier_K_dempsey

Chas. Cook flew this plane on Aug. 15, 1944 to bomb a gun position at Frejus, France prior to the D-Day invasion of S. France  and on Dec. 10, 1944 on a mission to bomb RR bridges in Brenner Pass at Calliano, Osseniga, and Roveretto, Italy  and on Dec. 27, 1944 to bomb a RR bridge at Borovinica, Yuguslavia.  (Photo- Credit K. Dempsey)

One of 13 that carried variations of Bill Mauldin “dog face” cartoon characters as noseart. http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/billmauldin.html

 

Description: Description: 7-E-WatchCopier

7E after 142 Missions- A Record??

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

 

Description: Description: 7E_watch_copier_b6V_ottoms_up_CJ_Clark

7E  WATCH COPIER IN FLIGHT FORMATION- (before the dogface art?)

(PHOTO CREDIT  LT. CLAIR J. CLARK)

 

Description: Description: 7-E-1-B25-J

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27510 - 7F

WILLIE  (see 7F Saga)

One of 13 that carried variations of Bill Mauldin “dog face” cartoon characters as noseart.

Chas. Cook flew this plane on Dec. 15. 1944 to bomb the RR bridge at Chivasso, Italy.

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

1

April 3, 1944

Orvieto RRB 9.5 SE

081 7F

CH Knapp

CM Cook

CD Woods

CD Woods

RE O'Bryant

J Cote

LT Gorden

5

April 8, 1944

Orte N RRB

081 7F

RD Schooley

CM Cook

OO Stokes

OO Stokes

CL Fritch

TC Iwan

GF Becker

17

May 16, 1944

Orvieto M/Y E Choke Point

510 7F

CM Cook

FE Porter

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

HJ McClernon

CD Stephenson

FA Rech

23

May 27, 1944

Brat Rd and RR Br

510 7F

BJ Barry

CM Cook

CC Klujsza

JL Williams

EE Mathurin

EE Ryerson

ET Padon

60

December 14, 1944

Calliano/Chivasso RR Brs

510 7F

CM Cook

FL Holley

VJ Lyle

HH Frazier

TR Olander

L Cerbara

GF Becker

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27738 - 7G

One of 13 that carried variations of Bill Mauldin “dog face” cartoon characters as noseart.

 

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

July 15, 1944

Ferrara / Villa Franca RR Brs

738 7G

CM Cook

RF Rushton

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

TR Olander

GF Becker

RJ Mottola

July 30, 1944

Ferrara Rd Br

738 7G

NH Byars

D Konigsberg

CM Cook

GH Smith

JH Rogers

 

 

 

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_dogface_7G

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27570 - 7H

WHITE LITENIN

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

41

July 22, 1944

Ronco Scrivia RR Br

570 7H

CM Cook

WJ Smith

WF McTernan

G Dranchak

G Dranchak

GF Becker

CD Stephenson

45

August 7, 1944

Lavoulte RR Br (France)

570 7H

CM Cook

WJ Smith

GE Butterfield

GE Butterfield

RE Lemkuhl

GF Becker

JW Miller

46

August 11, 1944

St. Tropez E Gun Pos. (France)

570 7H

CM Cook

WJ Smith

MJ Lukas

MJ Lukas

TR Olander

GF Becker

D Angelini

53

August 21, 1944

Parma W RR Br

570 7H

OB Parish

CM Cook

JF Graber

CR Klebes

EG Graham

LS Young

JT Edwards

65

January 9, 1945

PonteTidone RR Br

570 7H

CM Cook

DQ Smith

VJ Lyle

HH Frazier

JS Wisenowski

L Cerbara

EA Kenyon

67

January 17, 1945

Rovereto RR Br

570 7H

EW Oviatt

CM Cook

HH Frazier

WA Bruce

JN Reynolds

MJ Michel

DM Kenney

68

January 20, 1944

Trento M/Y (marshalling yard)

570 7H

CM Cook

WB Hogge

VJ Lyle

HH Frazier

RW Carlson

L Cerbara

EA Kenyon

 

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_white_litenin

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_white_litenin album1

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

Description: Description: _7H_White_Litenin_1_

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27478 - 7J  YAHOUDI

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

29

June 3, 1944

Vernio RR Br

478 7J

CM Cook

FE Porter

EA Gurrant

EA Gurrant

TR Olander

EW Bartley

RE Gerhardt

 

Description: Description: B25_nose_yahoudi_7J

 

Description: Description: b_25s_in_formation_7J_Yahoudi

 

Description: Description: b_25s_in_formation_italy_mts_7J_Yahoudi

 

Description: Description: b_25s_in_formation_7Jaaa1

 

 

Description: Description: _7J_43-27478_340thBG[1]

7J Yahoudi with P-47 Fighter Escort         Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

 

 

7J  Yahoudi  Photo Credit right:

 

I signed the Guest book on your website.  Thank you for putting together such a great piece of history.  I was just looking through a family photo album last night and came across the picture attached.  It is my Great Uncle Albert William SchangCrew Chief for the 487th 7J aircraft.  I only knew it was my Great Uncle before I found your website.  It’s amazing what history you find when you look.

 

Dennis Schang

 

Editor’s Note:  The first photo of 7J Yahoudi from Chas. Cook above also captured Albert Schang apparently when the 7J was first delivered.  In the photo at left, 7J has survived 49 missions.  My father must have had some close friendship connection with the crew possibly Albert Schang since he took more photos of this bird in flight than any of the others.

 
                         Description: Description: Albert William Schang_from_his great nephew

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-4011 - 7K

Early Bird III  (Original Destroyed 3/22/44 by Vesuvius)  Damn thing got the worm!!!!

Chas. Cook flew this plane on Nov. 28, 1944 to bomb a RR bridge at Magenta, Italy.

Waist Gunner T/Sgt. Harvey Hyland is pictured  here.

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

2

April 4, 1944

Perugia A/D

620 7K

LM Lewis

CM Cook

AH Vervacke

AH Vervacke

ML Gamage

RE Gerhardt

CE Fey

58

November 28, 1944

Magenta Rd and RR Br

011 7K

CM Cook

WA McLaughlin

C Genian

HH Frazier

JH Ramsey

JW Austin

JF Thornsberry

 

 

Description: Description: 487th_b25_nose_SSgt_Hyland_early_bird_iii

 

Description: Description: _7K_The_Early_Bird_III_1_

Early Bird III  After 152 MISSIONS!! -  A RECORD??

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

 

340th BG 487th BS  SN 42-32279 – 7L

(Shot down 6/6/43 over Messina Beach)

 

 

340th BG 487th BS – SN ?--?022 – 7L

Replacement plane (number jinx?) Did not return from mission to bomb Trento, Italy in Brenner Pass campaign Jan. 20, 1945

 

Note:  Charles Cook promoted to Capt. and leading the squadron on this mission.

 

Description: Description: Charles Cook 2

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 42-53483 - 7M

TUFF STUFF

(photo in formation with 7B above)   (Shot down Feb. 13, 1944)

 

Description: Description: B25_Tuff_Stuff_album1

Both photos from Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

Description: Description: B25_Tuff_Stuff_album2

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-4066 - 7M

Replacement plane shows up on mission sheet above

Chas. Cook flew this plane on a mission July 14,1944 on a mission to bomb a RRBridge at Corbola, Italy.  He flew it on Aug. 13 to bomb a gun position at LaCiotat, France and on Aug. 19, 1944 to bomb a RR bridge at Orange, France during the D-Day invasion of S. France.

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

35

June 22, 1944

Griciliana RR Br

066 7M

CM Cook

TJ Doyle

GE Butterfield

GE Butterfield

TR Olander

LJ Crosby

GF Becker

37

July 14, 1944

Carbola RR Br

066 7M

CM Cook

NH Byars

C. Genian

C. Genian

TR Olander

KH Hill

RJ Mottola

48

August 13, 1944

La Ciotat Gun Pos (France)

066 7M

CM Cook

WJ Smith

CF Donovan

CF Donovan

TR Olander

GF Becker

D Angelini

52

August 19, 1944

Orange RR Br (France) AM, PM

066 7M

CM Cook

WJ Smith

CF Donovan

CF Donovan

TR Olander

GF Becker

JT Edwards

 

 

Description: Description: B-25 7M

7M in flight-  photo courtesy  SSGT Don Kenney

 

 

7M in flight: Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

 

Description: Description: _7M_30466

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 44-30343 - 7N

Description: Description: AirRaid340

Alesan Air Base in the aftermath of the German Raid May, 13, 1944

Note: 487th Planes 7N and 7P survived

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

28

June 2, 1944

Civita Castellana Rd Br

081 7N

CM Cook

FE Porter

GH Smith

GH Smith

TR Olander

RE Gerhardt

EW Bartley

 

 

340th BG 487th BS – SN 43-4047 – 7P

Chas. Cook flew this plane on July 15, 1944 on a mission to bomb Ferrara, Italy RR bridges.

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

3

April 6, 1944

Perugia A/D (Aerodrome)

649 7P

LM Lewis

CM Cook

 F Risch

 F Risch

ML Gamage

RE Gerhardt

RJ Lincks

12

April 24, 1944

Orvieto RR Br N

649 7P

CM Cook

FF Hauser

HS May

HS May

JH Rogers

WC Drause

RS Lincks

 

 

Description: Description: b25_fueling_7p

 

B-25_7P_in_flight_CM_Cook_flying

Capt. Chas. Cook at the controls.

 

 

340th BG 487th BS – SN 43-27633 – 7Q

 

7Q in flight: Photos courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

Description: Description: 7-Q-1-B25-J

 

 

Description: Description: _7Q_B-25_43-27633 487th

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27531 - 7R

UNCLE WILLIE

One of 13 that carried variations of Bill Mauldin “dog face” cartoon characters as noseart.

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

18

May 18, 1944

Viareggio RRB

531 7R

CM Cook

FE Porter

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

WW Triunfo

CD Stephenson

FA Rech

42

July 26, 1944

Ostiglia RR Br

531 7R

WJ Smith

CM Cook

B Bloomberg

B Bloomberg

TR Olander

GF Becker

RJ Mottola

44

August 2, 1944

Var River Rd Br #4 Nice (France)

531 7R

CM Cook

WJ Smith

MJ Lukas

MJ Lukas

TR Olander

GF Becker

RJ Mottola

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_uncle_willie

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN Unknown- 7S  Geronimo

 

B-25_7S_Geronimo_0001

 

http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20Bomb%20Group%20Unknown%20BS%20and%20SN%20PLANES_files/image016.jpg

 

B-25_7S_Geronimo_crew2

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27731 - 7S

Quanto Costa

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

54

September 4, 1944

Canneto-Sesto Calende RR Brs

731 7S

CM Cook

RL Owen

C Genian

C Genian

TR Olander

GF Becker

JW Miller

55

October 12, 1944

Bologna ammo stores / bivouac

731 7S

WB Suthers

CM Cook

LF Rabet

HH Frazier

JH Collomore

EP Simonson

L Cerbara

56

November 6, 1944

Trento/Borgo/Castel Novo

731 7S

CM Cook

HE Jones

VJ Lyle

HH Frazier

JH Ramsey

L Cerbara

LJ Crosby

57

November 19, 1944

Faenza N RR Br

731 7S

CM Cook

WA McLaughlin

E Eustis

HH Frazier

LC Lambert

PE Sekeras

EL Byerly

62

December 29, 1944

Pordenone RR Br

731 7S

JR Rambo

CM Cook

JF Quinlan

DD Cuthbertson

RW Carlson

WA Lee

PE McDonnell

63

January 3, 1945

Lavis RR Viaduct

731 7S

CM Cook

D Konigsberg

J Polanko

HH Frazier

GL Lewis

L Cerbara

EA Kenyon

69

January 27, 1945

Bressana-BotaroneRR Br

731 7S

CM Cook

WE McGiffin

VJ Lyle

WE Krebs

C Stejskal

RJ Ingley

EA Kenyon

70

January 28, 1945

San Michele RR diversion

731 7S

CM Cook

WE McGiffin

VJ Lyle

WE Krebs

C Stejskal

RJ Ingley

EA Kenyon

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_quanto_costa

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-4056 - 7T

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

16

May 14, 1944

Arezzo RRB 2.5 W

056 7T

CM Cook

G Farnham

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

HJ McClernon

LJ Crosby

JN Hogarth

 

Description: Description: B25_new_engine_7T

 

Description: Description: b25_fkight_7T_R

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-36102 - 7U UNCLE WILLIE

340th BG 487th BS - SN 4x-xx722 - 7U UNCLE WILLIE

One of 13 that carried variations of Bill Mauldin “dog face” cartoon characters as noseart.

 

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

30

June 4, 1944

Vernio N RR Br

722 7U

CM Cook

FE Porter

MJ Lukas

MJ Lukas

TR Olander

RE Gerhardt

JN Hogarth

34

June 16, 1944

Pietrasanta Rd and RR Brs

722 7U

CM Cook

RW Spurling

GE Butterfield

GE Butterfield

TR Olander

GF Becker

LJ Crosby

40

July 20, 1944

Mantua (Mantova) RR Br

722 7U

CM Cook

FL Holley

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

G Dranchak

GF Becker

RJ Mottola

 

 

Description: Description: 7-A-7-U-B25-J

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

 

 

340th BG 487th BS – SN ? 41-29960 - 7V

340th BG 487th BS – SN ? 4x-xx988 - 7V

 

SNOW WHITE II

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

20

May 22, 1944

Cave Road Block

988 7V

CM Cook

FE Porter

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

TR Olander

RE Gerhardt

JO Parks

 

 

Description: Description: b25_flight_7V_R

 

Description: Description: B25_Snow_White_II_album2

Both photos from Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

Description: Description: B25_Snow_White_II_album1

 

340th BG 487th BS – SN ? - 7V

More Dogface Art  ‘Supper Unit  Ration K’

 

Description: Description: Supper_Unit_Ration_K 340th BG

Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-4078 - 7W

340th BG 487th BS - SN 4x-x653 - 7W

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

11

April 22, 1944

Todi 5N RRB

653 7W

WA McLaughlin

CM Cook

ES Johnson

ES Johnson

BA Zucker

LR Robinson

JB Faylor

13

April 28, 1944

Orvieto S. RR Br

653 7W

CM Cook

DW Hurlbut

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

EG Graham

LS Young

JT Edwards

 

Description: Description: _7E_43-4078_1_ Watch Copier

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay     SN from photo archive: 43-4078   ‘Watch Copier’ (not 7E above)

 

Description: Description: _7W_Nose_Art_43-4078_1__001

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-4065 - 7X GI JOE 

One of 13 that carried variations of Bill Mauldin “dog face” cartoon characters as noseart.

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

21

May 26, 1944

Piteccio Viaduct

065 7X

CM Cook

FE Porter

M Holzman

M Holzman

TR Olander

RE Gerhardt

JO Parks

22

May 27, 1944

Castiglione RR

065 7X

CM Cook

FE Porter

JC Miller

JC Miller

TR Olander

RE Gerhardt

LJ Crosby

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-4039 - 7Y

SKY DEMON

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

31

June 5, 1944

Narni Rd Brs

039 7Y

CM Cook

FE Porter

MJ Lukas

MJ Lukas

TR Olander

GF Becker

FA Rech

33

June 10, 1944

Fano M/Y

039 7Y

OB Parish

CM Cook

CD Woods

CR Klebes

EG Graham

LS Young

JT Edwards

36

July 1, 1944

Prato RR Br and tunnel

039 7Y

CM Cook

KG Sparling

GE Butterfield

GE Butterfield

TR Olander

LJ Crosby

RS Lincks

 

Sky Demon had been shot up badly  on 9-18-44,  Pilot 1st Lt. Howard L. Owen’s diary submitted by his son Donald Owen: 

"#54 mission. Frags [at] Rimini on Gothic Line. Hydraulic system shot out.

Oil reservoir shot out., also elevator trim tab cable. Main landing gear support half shot away. 

E. Landing back at base, no one hurt".

 

 

Description: Description: b25_7Y_Sky_Demon_R

Owen and Triunfo?

 

Note Owen’s name painted on as airplane commander.

Description: Description: b25_nose_sky_demon_berlin_or_bust

Photos above and below from Capt. Chas. Cook’s collection

Description: Description: B25_Sky_Demon_rolling

 

 

Description: Description: Pulos12_487_7Y

7Y Sky Demon Bombs Away-  Photo courtesy of Bob Knox, custodian of 486th BS Radioman-Waist Gunnner John Pulos’ photo collection.

 

Description: Description: 7-Y-Sky Demon-1

Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486th BS

 

_Sky Demon_bombing

Photo Credit: 486th BS Hal Bridges material from his son Hal Bridges, Jr. via John Purvis

 

 

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-4031 - 7Z

SHIRLEY ANN

 

NUMBER

COMBAT

TARGET  (Italy or N.B.)

ASSIGNED

PILOT

COPILOT

NAVIGATOR

BOMBARDIER

RADIO

WAIST

TAIL

 

MISSION DATE

 

PLANE

 

 

 

 

GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

15

May 12, 1944

Itri Rd Junction

031 7Z

CM Cook

RF Rushton

NE Gibson

NE Gibson

TR Olander

LJ Crosby

Cl Harding

25

May 29, 1944

Bucine S Viaduct

031 7Z

CM Cook

FE Porter

M Holzman

M Holzman

TR Olander

LJ Crosby

JA LeBaron

 

 

2LT Robert H. Meek KIA October 19, 1944 over the Magenta Bridge near Milan while flying as co-pilot of 7Z "Shirley Ann"

at eternal rest in the Sicily Rome American Cemetery Nettuno, Italy.

 

Description: Description: b25_nose_shirley_ann

 

Alberto Vargas ‘pin-up’ art that was the inspiration for 7Z Shirley Ann’s noseart.

Description: Description: BreifingTime_Shirley_Anne_Vargas-c-av_044-large

 

Description: Description: b25_7Z_Shirley_Ann_R

 

Description: Description: 487th_b_25s_in_formation_7Z

 

Description: Description: b25_flight_7Z_R

 

 

Description: Description: _7Z_Shirley_Ann_34031__7Z__1_[1]

Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486th BS veteran John Sutay   

 

 

340th BG    487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

RUM DUM

Description: Description: cook_at_the_controls2

Charles Cook at the controls

 

Description: Description: B25_Rum_Dum_album1

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

Description: Description: 487th_Rum_Dum_album

 

Description: Description: b25_Walt_R

Unknown

Description: Description: b25_flight_belly005_R

Unusual photo of the belly of a B-25 in flight.

 

340th BG    487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

RED ASS

Description: Description: B25_Red_Ass_album

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

Robert W Gaffney submitted Nov 5, 2007:  “My Uncle George P. Gaffney (Bud) 36503953 was in the 12thAir Force, 340th Bomb Group (M), 487th Bomb Sqd. I know he served in Tunisia and I think also Sicily and Italy. He served as an electrician for the B 25 bomber, the Red Ass. He was instrumental in developing a radio bomb release for which he received the Legion of Merit.”  [The radio release technique from the lead plane greatly increased bombing accuracy.  Capt. Chas. Cook’s bomb run photos specify if they were radio released. See below ]

 

 

340th BG    487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

FLYIN JENNIE

Description: Description: Flyin_Jennie_album

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

340th BG    487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

EILEEN

Description: Description: B25_Eileen_album

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

 

340th BG    487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

TARE SUGAR

Description: Description: B25_Tare_Sugar_album

From Charles Cook’s 487th Squadron Album dated June 1944

 

 

 

 

 

References:

340th Bomb Group Catania Sicily 1943  VIDEO    (Uploaded June 11, 2010: Transcribed from National Archives film; 52 mb)

 

340th Bomb Group Italy 1944-45 COLOR Video  (Uploaded June 11, 2010: Transcribed from National Archives film; 35 mb)

 

487th ‘DOG FACE’ Squadron Video!!!  (Uploaded June 10, 2010: Transcribed from National Archives film; 63 mb)

 

http://warwingsart.com/57thWing/340thBG/489BS/index.htm

 

http://members.northrock.bm/~ehetzel/b25names.html

 

 

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