On January 27, 1943, fifty-three B-17s of the 306th Bomb Group flew from their base in Thurleigh, England, to deliver something German soil had not yet experienced - American bombs.
    On that day a young Lieutenant sat in the nose of his B-17 straining to find his target through the 9/10 cloud cover above the port of Wilhelmshaven. That Lieutenant was Frank Yaussi and, as the lead bombardier, he knew that the fifty-two B-17s behind him would release a combined total of 265,000 pounds of bombs on his mark. When Lt. Yaussi called "Bombs away!", 265 1000-pound bombs rained down on the port of Wilhelmshaven and the 306th Bomb Group - and Lt. Frank Yaussi - went into the history books.
    While in Europe Frank Yaussi completed 17 combat missions, earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal, and was promoted to wing bombardier. Yaussi was rotated back to the 'States to become lead bombardier of a B-29 group but when that group was re-assigned, Yaussi was transferred to Grand Island, Nebraska, to train B-29 crews. One crew Yaussi trained also played a significant role in WWII - they dropped a single bomb from a B-29 named "Enola Gay".

Both "Bombs Away" and "The Front Office" are framed as shown in this photo. To see a larger picture of the B-17 photo- graph featured in this piece, and to learn more about "The Front  Office", click on the image above.

Bombs Away!
Riveting Images is proud to offer "Bombs Away!",  featuring Frank Yaussi's signature on an original, 8" x 12" glossy photograph of the B-17's  bombardier's station. An additional black and white photograph depicting two B-17s in formation - one with its bomb doors open - completes this 12.5" x 23" piece.
    "Bomb's Away" is a Riveting Images exclusive and is a limited edition of 100 pieces, each signed by Frank Yaussi and the photographer, Kerry Fores. The photos are museum mounted on acid-free foam core behind triple, archival quality mattes. The photographs are further protected by UV-blocking conservation glass and a black metal frame (other frame options may be available soon - inquire). "Bomb's Away" includes a certificate of authenticity and ships ready to hang.

Bombs Away..............................$185.00
L/E of 100, signed by Frank Yaussi and photo- grapher Kerry Fores. Conservation framed and ready to hang.

The Front Office.......................$135.00
L/E of 650, signed by photographer Kerry Fores. Same as above but without Frank Yaussi's signature.

Index to Kerry Fores' "Riveting Images"
Fores' Index Page    "Bomb's Away"   "The Front Office"    "The Silver Stripe"