Usage conditions may apply for digital images, video, and sound recordings linked within SOVA collections. While digital content may be restricted, SOVA collection descriptions and catalog records are available CC0 for re-use. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
National Air and Space Museum Archives
376th Bomb Group Photography [Mechanic]
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.2016.0003
- Creators:
-
Mechanic, Bernard
- Dates:
-
bulk 1940-1945
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.1 Cubic feet(2 folders)
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of thirty-eight black and white photographs, mostly snapshots, relating to Sergeant Bernard Mechanic's service with the 376th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. The images include the following: Consolidated B-24 Liberators in-flight; images from his R&R leave to Tel Aviv; noseart; and images of Winston Churchill, Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, and Field Marshall Archibald Wavell. There is also one graduation certificate for the Aerial Gunnery and Fire Control School at Wendover, Utah.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Technical Sergeant Bernard Mechanic was a gunner/radio operator with the 376th Bomb Group 9th Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his actions during Operation Tidal Wave on August 1, 1943, which was a raid on the Ploesti oil refineries. Due to navigation and pilot error as well as German aerial defenses, this raid suffered devastating losses, including 440 crew members killed and an additional 220 taken as prisoners of war.
Administration
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Mark Machanic, Gift, 2016
Digital Content
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation
376th Bomb Group Photography [Mechanic], Accession 2016-0003, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Aeronautics | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Consolidated B-24 Liberator | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Tel Aviv (Israel) | Geographic | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Photographs | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Rommel, Erwin,, 1891-1944 | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Air and Space Museum Archives
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
NASMRefDesk@si.edu