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Here are shown several photos of men and life connected to the 549th Squadron. Life was not always war - "Down-time" was the hardest for all Airmen to cope with. The Military trained men for their roll in combat and they did it well - but - time between combat missions was stressful and men sort many ways to releave themselves of such. |
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Armorer - 549th Squadron Gun Shop M/Sgt. Robert W. Kramer outside the 549th Squadron "Gun Shop." Sgt. Kramer was among the first to arrive at Great Ashfield in 1943 and stayed until August 1945 before returning to the USA on the Queen Mary. After a combat mission all 50 cal. machine guns were removed from a B-17 and carried to the Gun Shop. Here the men cleaned and did repairs to the gun working part. The machine guns were stored in this building until needed for the next combat mission. The inside parts of each gun were kept seperate from all other guns so they would be placed back in the same position on a bomber. |
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This is a sneak photo of Sgt. Mays inside the "Rest Home" - somewhere in England. After the War Horse crew flew 15 combat missions they were sent to a Rest Home for a few days. This was to accomplish full medical examinations and get a few days break from flying combat missions. ( or is that Aunt Amy - or Ashly at the Mansion ?) This photo is inside the rest home ( or Mansion ) with Mays sitting at a table with one of the "female employees" ? ( Maybe yes - maybe no ! - But he'll never tell )) |
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Inside Mays' Hut in the 549th Squadron Area Photo of Clarence Carr sitting on lower bunk with someone laying on top bunk. Note the "Pin-Up" photos and maps hanging on wall beside door to outside ( at left ).Five crews = 30 Airmen lived in each Hut which was about 18 feet by 30 feet. Men had to be Buddies to live this close in cramped quarters. In the foreground see one of the small coke burning stoves used to heat Hut during winter months. |
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"Horse-ing Around" Four members of the War Horse Crew making a Totem Pole at play. Top to Bottom = Maxwell - Top Turret Gunner Skophammer - Right Waist Gunner Mays - Ball Turret Gunner Blair - Radioman |
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Frank R. Mays ( center ) with two Buddies - Rick and Robb "Walking The Streets of London England" Daylight hours in London was a time to walk the streets without fear of German bombing. Not much to buy in shops but there was always a Pub around the next corner. There were "sights" to see other than the bombed-out buildings. This impromptu snapshot was taken by a "Street Vendor". For the sum of fifty cents - to his surprise - a copy was mailed to Frank Mays at his APO military address and received in a matter of four weeks ! |
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"Back From Combat Mission" After a mission and before leaving the War Horse - the crew usually had a dissussion about the mission. Standing with back closest toward camera = Ball Turret Gunner - Mays To Mays' right = Top Turret Gunner - Maxwell To Mays's left = First Pilot - Lamping Lamping is looking at and talking to Bombardier Lt. Slaper To Lamping's left is Co-Pilot - Lt. Wanzak Note machine guns have been removed from bomber and laying on concrete hardstand. Parachutes and other equipment lay to the right of the group. Ground crewman is looking at flak damage on No.3 and 4 engines. |
