Description
Object description
A Ground crew-man of the 93rd Bomb Group stands beside a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-24147) nicknamed "The Duchess".
Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press Agency Ltd.' [stamp]
Printed caption attached to the reverse:
"283882' [Censor no]. 'AIR SER (LIBERATOR) ' [written annotation].'4/11/43 censor' [ written annotation].
'LIBERATOR'S TRAVELLING CIRCUS ""Travelling Circus"" has become the nickname of the American Liberators on shuttle service. One day they may start from N. African bases , strike at objectives in Northern Italy and land in Britain. Another day they may bomb Germany and fly to Sicily and refuel. A great striking power is combined with high mobility. The Liberators have to their credit such daring operations as the Ploesti Max Oil Field raid or Wiener Neustadt raid. - This series of pictures shows the life of the ""Travelling Circus"", its Liberator bombers. flying men, ground crews, preparing and conducting operations, - always swift, in force and containing element of surprise for the enemy.
Keystone Photo shows:- M/Sgt Herbert F. Hastings, of Loweaqua. Ill. (near Decatur) is one of the best crew chiefs in the U.S.A.A.F. Sgt. Hastings was crew chief on the ill-fated Lib. ""Hot Freight"" with a record of 12 missions without a turnback, he continued his good work on the Lib. ""The Duchess"" chalking up 22 more missions without a turnback. On one raid in particular he did a fast bit of work. The ""Duchess""was almost ready to take off when she developed a malfunction, necessitating changing the oil pressure lines which hastings didin the remarkable time of 10 minutes. Truly, the time-worn expression, ""Unsung Heroes"" applies to men like Hastings. Theirs is a job with no glory but great is the reward for their perseverance in putting the planes in the air.
U.S.Pool/ F.Keystome 1.2. SG.'
Handwritten on reverse: '3/11/44.'
Reference: "" Mighty Eighth War Diary"" By Roger A. Freeman. Page 133."
Physical description
Print, loose