WWII 8th 447th BG 709 Sq /15th Air Force 99th BG 416th Sq Grouping - Rattlesden

Here is an historic attributed grouping to a Sergeant William “Wild Bill” Moore a Tail Gunner
The group Consists of the following:-
1. Diary note book detailing all of the 50 missions flown.
2. Military Secrets note book again detailing all 50 mission, places visited, countries visited, bars visited, civilian crew photos for underground passports and many other notes of interest.
3. Early issue boxed Air Medal with separate Oak Leaf cluster.
4. Good Conduct and Efficiency medal named to William J Moore.
5. Issue Dog Tags early set (2) with home address and a later issue set (2) name and serial numbers on a chain.
6. Aerial Gunners wing, pin back in sterling silver with makers hallmark for Meyer New York.
7. Medal ribbon bars pin back air medal four oak leaf clusters ETO ribbon with four campaign stars.
8. Two metal fragments of flak.
9. Early Marksman badge with bars for Aerial Gunner, machine gun and AP Armourer in pin back
10. Two crew photos, Photo of William at the tail of B17 England - March, small air to air photo of two B-17s, photo of Roosevelt Rhine River bridge.
11. US enlisted collars US and Air Corps screw back fittings.
12. 50 Caliber brass casing dated 1943.
13. A pair of WWII issue aviator sunglasses in good condition, case is in used condition with some damage.
14. Civilian private pilot log book and rating certificate.

William was part of Lt. Clarence Perkins crew who flew 15 missions with the 447th Bomb Group 709th Squadron in B17’s “Moonbeam” (not confirmed) out of Rattlesden Suffolk. The crew transferred to the 15th Air Force, 99th Bomb Group 416th Squadron flying B17s out of Tortorella Italy. 35 more missions completing 50 in total. During the last half of May, rumors were going around that "something big" was in the works. The rumors became fact at 2:00 am on the morning of 2 June, when it was made known that the group was going to bomb a railroad yard at Debrecen, Hungary, and fly on to land at Poltava, Russia in the Ukraine. This shuttle bombing exercise was labelled Operation Frantic. At the briefing, the aircrews were told that "One hundred thirty-million Americans will look upon you today and you are their representatives in a land where you will be the first American combat men." The bombing that day was excellent, and no flak or enemy fighters were encountered. The 99th became the first task force of the USAAF to land on Russian soil. The first three days in Russia were non-operational. The men of the 99th spent their time sightseeing and making friends with the Russians. The Russian civilians cheered and saluted the "Americanyetts." On 6 June, the 99th flew a mission from Poltava, to bomb the German airfield at Galați, Romania. After landing back at Poltava, the men of the 99th learned that the Allies had invaded Europe on the beaches of France. On 11 June, the 99th took off to bomb a German airfield at Focşani, Romania. They continued on to land back at Tortorella. The first shuttle mission to Russia was deemed to be a success.

More reading and research on the 447th Group website.

Code: 57354