Bit O' Lace - 709th Bomb Squadron B-17 Film

http://airboyd.tv National Archives and Records Administration - ARC Identifier 604487 / Local Identifier DM-BAUMN - B-17G Bomber "Bit O' Lace", compiled 1944 - 1945

This series consists of moving images shot by pilot John H. Bauman in flight on the B-17G "A Bit O' Lace," K identifier, bomber of the 709th Bomb Squadron of the 447th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, late in World War II. Included are bombing missions flown over Germany, American pilots in flight training at Lodwick Aeronautical School in Lakeland, Florida, and views of the B-17G and other aircraft at the base in Rattlesden, England.

A Bit O' Lace homepage http://www.bates-r-us.org/abitolace/
447th Bomb Group http://www.447bg.com
8th Air Force Fighter Group http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/

Identified planes:

B-17G-40-VE 42-97976 (Louie The Creep) Bit O Lace
B-17G-15-DL 42-37871 Uninvited
B-17G-40-VE 42-97936
B-17G-60 BO 42-102823 Murph

P-51C 42-103302
P-47D 42-74680

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Uninvited
• 42-37871
• Louie
• The
• Creep
• 42-97976
• Milt
• Caniff
• B-17G
• Bomber
• Bit
• O'
• Lace
• Boeing
• B-17
• Flying
• Fortress
• Lt
• John
• H.
• Bauman
• 709th
• Bomb
• Squadron
• 447th
• Bombardment
• Group
• 8th
• Air
• Force
• World
• War
• II
• Rattlesden
• England
• 297976
• airboyd
• #airboydtv
• airboyd.tv
• air force
• aircraft
• airplane
• plane
• yt:quality=high

[SuperAncientmariner]

@fishinbrook I think your father was a college friend of Milton Caniff .



[daniel246]

amazing i live in rattlesden

[1gortklaatu]

I am forwarding this film to my Dad who just celebrated his 90th birthday. Dad was a B17 pilot at Rattlesden of the Virginia Lee II. Very nice film.

[fishinbrook]

@memonk11,

I can't take credit for posting this video; I'm not sure who posted it here and elsewhere. However, my father donated his original film to the National Archives and a copy to the pilot's family before he died. I intend to try and reconstruct his narrative of the film so it can be better understood and appreciated, to eventually be posted on the Bit O Lace web site. Thank you for your interest!

[memonk11]

@fishinbrook Thank you so much for the reply and posting this great video. Sometimes it's easy to forget those heros who fought what is now becoming a long ago war, and it's a great reminder how ordinary Americans were willing to sacrifice everything to do so. Thanks again.

[fishinbrook]

@memonk11

Hi, this footage was "secretly" shot by my father, Lt. John Bauman (now deceased) the co-pilot, with an 8 mm camera given to him by his uncle. The original had no sound. My father is the one clowning around in the German uniform with the pistols & in other scenes. The footage was donated to the National Archives in D.C. and has somehow made its way around the internet. There is a lot of original historical documentation & content that I wish could be explained & included. -Brook

[patsybaby]

This is amazing ! I've never seen this footage before especially colour film. The 447th BG which was based at Rattlesden just on the Essex/ Suffolk border. Not very far from where I live now. Great footage and great music thankyou. Pat.

[res6kgcr]

Friends,

FYI between minutes 12:28 to 15:33 of this video were taken at the crew replacement training unit at Avon Park Army Air Field, Avon Park, FL which had the letter ‘A’ assigned to it by the Third Air Force. The tail letter and number are the ship and squadron designators. The flight crew is also shown with ‘William Two’ in light clothing confirming that it is a hot and humid Florida day!

Best regards,

Tom Michel