Joe L. Bradford Crew

left to right:

Stanley Russell-tail gunner , John J. Sherlock-engineer, top turret gunner, Ken Francis-radio operator, gunner, Charles Truman Phillips-ball turret gunner and Joe C. O'Bisso-waist gunner

Front row left to right-

Joe L. Bradford, pilot, Larry F. Crow-co-pilot, John Donahue-navigator, Arthur Van Gordon- bombardier, not pictured. The unidentified man on back right trained with but did not fly with this crew.

I can tell you that this photo was taken outside of the Photo Section Building at Kimbolton, England. You can also see their trailer in the background too.

On 06 August 1944 Mission #183 for the 379^th BG

The Joe L. Bradford Crew flew Aircraft # 42-32024

“Swamp Fire” to bomb the Aircraft Factory at

Genshagen, Germany.

Crew Loading for the Mission

Joseph C O'biso Sergeant Waist Gunner

Frank (NMI) Garst Staff Sergeant Nose Gunner/Togglier

John Donahue 2nd Lieutenant Navigator

Kenneth Francis Staff Sergeant Radio Operator/Gunner

Lawrence F Crowe 2nd Lieutenant Co-Pilot

Joe L Bradford 2nd Lieutenant Pilot

John J Sherlock Staff Sergeant Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Charles T Phillips Sergeant Ball Turret Gunner

Stanley V Russell Sergeant Tail Gunner

The mission was led by the 41^st Combat Wing’s Operations

Officer Lt Colonel William Calhoun. The 379^th Bg was asked

to provide aircraft to make up the Lead, High and Low Squadrons

of the “B” Group.

Our Approach on the target was covered with Smoke

and clouds which obscured many of the buildings but

Our Lead Bombardier Capt. Edwin H. Milson managed to

lock-on to a visual and strike reports stated that the bulk

of our bombs had a good concentration around the proposed

MPI(Main Point of Impact).

We saw Enemy Aircraft as many as 50 to 75 attacking formations

to the front and rear of us but we encountered no attacks on our

formation. The Flak was rated as Moderate and inaccurate. We

had no serious reported Battle Damage

The rest of the Lead Team consisted of Major William C. Sipes Pilot;

Lt Jack Sinise Navigator. Lt James R. Rich was asked to ride with

Lt Colonel Calhoun in the 41^st Lead ship as Navigator and Bombardier.