Us Official Photographs

B-24 Liberator after French coast bombing

Crew members of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator which returned from pre-invasion bombing of French coast 20 April 44 with severe flak damage inspect tail assembly. The direct flak hit wrecked the tail turret and killed the tail gunner. Observers counted more than 200 flak holes which ranged from turret to turret. Left to right: S/Sgt. Bruce P. Prosser, Beacon, N.Y., gunner; 1st Lt. James S. Munsey, Norman, Okla., insturctor pilot who flew with new crew on first combat mission; and S/Sgt. Walter J. Thomas. Pocatello, Idaho, waist gunner. 453d. Bomb. Group.