15th AAF S/Sergeant’s B-4 Flight -Sortie Record – Story Bag. – SOLD

Description

15th AAF S/Sergeant’s B-4 Flight Bag, Combat Record Journal & More.  John Esposito mentions a little about himself in his journal, that he was from Leominster, Massachusetts. Attained the rank of staff sergeant while serving in the Army Air Corps, assigned to the 726th (Heavy) Bomb Squadron, 451st (Heavy) Bomb Group, 15th AAF.  Esposito was the recipient of the Air Medal w/olc.

The 726th BS, (15th AAF based in Italy),  served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and participated in the strategic bombing campaign to destroy German’s ability to wage war, that immediate area, extending to targets in South France, Southeastern European countries, and Germany.   S/Sgt. Esposito’s missions began on July 12, 1944, through November 1, 1944 (a total of 36 combat missions).  This unit flew the B-24 Liberator Bomber.

All this information is contained within his journal, beginning with basic army A.P.O. address, to noting that he got shot down on his first mission on July 12, ’44, and landed safely in Corsica; shot down again on August 2, ’44, and landed in the same location; the third time on August 12, landed at Gresetto, and noted on August 22, “Got shot up pretty bad again…ship was total loss.”

He goes on to record all the dates of missions, and how many flights were made on that date; on seven occasions, his unit made duel missions on the same day.  Esposito made notations later on in the journal of the date, target type (such as Vienna Oil Storage on Aug, 22, ’44, and Railroad Bridge, in Hungary, making direct hits on target, little flak, no one injured).  Several recorded raids on the Ploesti Oil Fields

Repeating himself, he begins to record all the missions again, but this time he records the place, take off time, dates, and sorties made on the day.  Next entries are for some of his crew members, their names and rank, home addresses, and status (such as KIA, “Back in States, wounded, etc,),  Further repetition on the bombing mission, later included more information as specific target (Juie Marshaling Yards, flying in “Cannon Fodder,” With Success – 2 Flak Holes).  It is in this listing of missions that he records the nicknames of the B-24s he and fellow crewmen were assigned to for those missions made. (See list in photo).

 

This grouping consists of the following:

B-4 Flight Bag, decorated with 25 bombs and a list of missions, and place names visited. The other side of the bag has large stenciled name, ASN, and additional letters & numbers, FK – 545 – AY / 86.  He records 36 missions, but perhaps not wanting to squeeze in addition missions, left this as the finished work.  It seems Esposito was an organized individual, as the layout of this bag shows with straight lines, organized bombs, neat writing, etc.

The story aspect come into play where Esposito carved into the leather on the top of the bag, with all the place names he visited. The entire top leather panel, even under the leather covered handle has this names recorded, It would take hours to record all these names. I have photographed these to the best of my ability in the time allotted.

Zippers on the bag function. leather trim, handle and tabs on zippers all show wear.  Proper treatment would help, but that work is for the next owner if they so choose.  Canvas areas are soiled, and hardly any holes or tears, unless minimal at best.

The bag does not have the artistry, that drives the market these days, but rarely does a collector find a B-4 bag with as much history recorded visibly upon it.

Also included are:

• Aerial Gunner wings, clutch back, hallmarked STERLING.
• Air Medal in issue box, mailed home to his parents at Leominster, MA.  Postal cover and stamp, are damages, but the addressed and censored cover are nearly all intact. The sides of both issue box and cover are rough.  Medal is in fine condition. Not named.
• Separation Qualification Record. (provides some further details on Esposito in prior civilian life, as well as all military info.
• Cut out map from theater newspaper, dated Wednesday, Nov. 1, 1944, showing “15th AAF TARGETS” from units based at Foffia Air Field, in Italy.
• Cut-out news clipping, “Bomb Run Over Blechhammer.” showing a 15th AAF B-24 bursting into flames after being hit by flak, etc.  One would have to assume this would have been one of the ships assigned to Esposito’s unit.
• Small slip of paper, Identification Discharge Certificate, concerning travel from Plattsburg Bks, N.Y. to Leominster, Ma. dated 19 Oct, 1945, and signed by an AC officer.
• Restricted field generated document from HQ AAF Convalescent Hospital, Plattsburg, Bks, dated 17 Oct., 1945. Some damage to document, some acid free repairs.  Esposito named.
• 20 Aerial Bomb Photos, only a few has identification of target, that being Arles, France, and Alnasfyzuto, Oil Refinery, Hungary.  taken at 20,300 feet. All photos were originally 9×9 inches, and some of those have sections removed. Most appear to be industrial targets.

 

Aircraft/ crews  Top to Bottom:

“Old Taylor”

“The A Train”

“Ice Cold Katie”