384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

Welcome to the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Photo Gallery. This gallery makes available the photographic and documentary portion of the 384th BG record. All content on this gallery is visible to all visitors. Those wishing to enter a comment or contribute images will need to register and log in (links at left of Home page). Please register for an account when you need access beyond viewing gallery content. For additional information about the 384th BG, visit the 384th Bomb Group website⇗.

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Price Crew and Fisherman

20225_Price_Crew_and_Fisherman_Nantes_Raid_1576x1080.jpg Price Crew - Last Mission, February 6 1944.jpgThumbnailsRum-Pot I or IIPrice Crew - Last Mission, February 6 1944.jpgThumbnailsRum-Pot I or IIPrice Crew - Last Mission, February 6 1944.jpgThumbnailsRum-Pot I or IIPrice Crew - Last Mission, February 6 1944.jpgThumbnailsRum-Pot I or IIPrice Crew - Last Mission, February 6 1944.jpgThumbnailsRum-Pot I or IIPrice Crew - Last Mission, February 6 1944.jpgThumbnailsRum-Pot I or IIPrice Crew - Last Mission, February 6 1944.jpgThumbnailsRum-Pot I or II

The fisherman, Isaac Jarvis, is the person who with his grandson Eric Jarvis, retrieved the Price crew from the English Channel minefield in which they ditched "Old Battle Axe." Lt. Price is standing on the left in the group shot. The others are most of his crew. The identity of the cat will, in all likelihood, remain a mystery.

The ditching on the return from the Nantes mission on 16 September 1943 was far more dramatic than I have heretofore known. Apparently, in spite of extensive combat damage including the loss of 2 engines before departing France, Lt. Price got Old Battle Axe over the English coast. At that point he lost his third engine and it was evident that Old Battle Axe would not remain in the air much longer. At that point Lt. Price could not find space on land large enough to land in so he returned to the English Channel. Sometime shortly thereafter the last engine exploded and burst into flames. With Old Battle Axe powerless and burning Lt. Price successfully ditched Old Battle Axe and the entire crew got out alive.

Photo contributed by William and Don Price, whose father William M. Price, III, served as a pilot with the 547th BS of the 384th BG.

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