340th Bomb Group 487^th Bomb Squadron Planes

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 487^th 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

INSPIRATION! Original pin-up art by Billy de Vorss

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

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

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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

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

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

Lost or destroyed

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

Lost or destroyed

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

340th BG 487th BS 7C ROSIE SN UNKNOWN

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

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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

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

“Left to right) Pilot 1^st Lt. William A. McLaughlin ; Pilot 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 ]

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

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

487^th 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

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

7E after 142 Missions- A Record??

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

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

(PHOTO CREDIT LT. CLAIR J. CLARK)

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

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

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

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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

7J Yahoudi with P-47 Fighter Escort Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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 Schang…Crew Chief for the 487^th 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.

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

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

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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.

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

TUFF STUFF

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

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

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

7M in flight- photo courtesy SSGT Don Kenney

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

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

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

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

Note: 487^th Planes 7N and 7P survived

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

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 486^th BS

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

340th BG 487th BS – SN ? - 7V

More Dogface Art ‘Supper Unit Ration K’

Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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

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

Photo Credit Mark McCandlish from late 486^th 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 1^st 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".

Owen and Triunfo?

Note Owen’s name painted on as airplane commander.

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

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

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

Photo Credit: 486^th 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.

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

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

340th BG 487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

RUM DUM

Charles Cook at the controls

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

Unknown

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

340th BG 487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

RED ASS

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

Robert W Gaffney submitted Nov 5, 2007: “My Uncle George P. Gaffney (Bud) 36503953 was in the 12^thAir 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

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

340th BG 487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

EILEEN

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

340th BG 487th BS

OTHER PLANES NUMBERS UNKNOWN

TARE SUGAR

From Charles Cook’s 487^th 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)

487^th ‘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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