39th Bomber Squadron by Forth William (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Small quarto measuring 7" x 9.5". Black cloth over stiff covered books. Contains 240 sepia-toned gelatin silver photographs measuring between 2" x 3" and 5" x 7" with captions. Very good album with worn edges and tape remnants with about near fine photographs. A photo album compiled by William S. Forth, a member of the 39th Bomber Squadron serving in the South Pacific in 1945. The squadron was stationed at Tinian in the Mariana Islands along with Guam, Saipan, and Oahu. The album begins with some training photos including from Dalhart, Texas, and a set of officially issued small snapshots of Pearl Harbor, then on to the island of Tinian. The images from Tinian include much of the life there including candids of locals and other airmen, many of the people pictured are named. Additionally there are photos of the planes, of the island, some shot from the air on their bombing missions. One photo is captioned "first crew lost, 39th Sq., 12 Feb 45. Crashed at sea." It was from Tinian that Enola Gay and two other B-29 superfortresses took off in April 1945 to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Airmen are seen posed with planes as well as enjoying the beaches of the island during their leisure time. Many of the various nose art designs can be seen throughout the album featuring planes cards, pinup girls, and political art. There are a few official Army photographs along with an original photo showing the approach to Iwo Jima. August and September deployment to Guam, Saipan and Oahu are all from after the Japanese surrender. The album ends with Forth's honorable discharge. An interesting collection of photography from the South Pacific at the end of World War II.