04 Sep The B-17 Rose of York
Minutes after christening the Rose of York, July 6, 1944, at Thurleigh Airfield.
In May of 1944, a B-17G, #42-102547, was assigned to the 367th Bombardment Squadron of the 306th Bombardment Group, housed at Thurleigh Airfield, just north of Bedford. Of all the planes assigned to the 306th, this aircraft became the most famous because of its association with Great Britain’s royal family!
After 367th Squadron crew chief M/Sgt. Ed Gregory named the A/C first The Princess, and then Princess Elizabeth, he came up with the idea that his plane should be christened by none other than Princess Elizabeth herself.
The royal family thought it was a grand idea with one caveat. They were afraid that if a plane by that name went down, it would be a bad omen indeed, so the name was changed to Rose of York.
On July 6, 1944, the royal group made their visit: King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, daughter 18-year-old Elizabeth plus others in the entourage. Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle led the American delegation.
M/Sgt Gregory presented the princess with two dozen York roses at the start of the ceremony. When the young princess officially christened the Rose of York with a bottle of English cider, the bottle shattered and the onlookers cheered.
Following the ceremony, Captain Perry Raster (pilot), Lt. Talmadge McDonogh (co-pilot), Captain William Pleasant (navigator), T/Sgt George Roberts, and M/Sgt Gregory flew the Rose of York to Molesworth and parked the plane in the big hangar. The royal family was visiting this airfield the same day, and many pictures were taken there also.
Speaking of George Roberts, a valuable member of our Facebook Group, 306th Bomb Group – First Over Germany, you can visit George’s WWII jacket on display at the National Museum of the 8th Air Force in Pooler, GA.
Sadly, the Rose of York was lost on February 3, 1945, en route to Berlin, the aircraft’s 63rd mission. In addition to the 9 crew members, war correspondent Guy Byam was on board making a recording for the BBC.
On its way back from the target and somewhere over the North Sea, the pilot, 1st Lt. Vernor F. Daley, Jr., radioed that he thought he could make it back to England.
The plane was never found.
References:
First Over Germany: A History of the 306th Bombardment Group by Russell A. Strong
306th BG Historical Association website, Echoes newsletters
William A Raster
Posted at 23:45h, 16 OctoberPerry Raster was my hero and wonderful father.
Pat DiGeorge
Posted at 06:51h, 17 OctoberWilliam, thank you so much for the comment about your father. If you haven’t already, please join our Facebook Group: 306th Bomb Group – First Over Germany. Family and friends of the 306th share photos and stories. It’s important to remember what these young men did for us.
Bob lehmann
Posted at 20:29h, 19 FebruaryMet one of the crew members who flew on her, but was transferred off before she went down.
He is 98 years old and lives in Gulfport, Mississippi
Pat DiGeorge
Posted at 10:47h, 20 FebruaryBob, thank you so much for the comment. We can never thank our veterans enough!
William A. Raster
Posted at 10:52h, 06 SeptemberCaptain Raster was assigned the new B17G and flew 13 missions in this plane as lead ship for his 367th Squadron ending his tour of duty June 30,1944. At that time Captain Raster was awarded the DFC with cluster for missions he lead with the 367th in June 1944. He also received the Air Medal with 4 clusters. He and his crew greeted the King and Queen of England and Princess Elizabeth for the Christening of the their B17G the Rose Of York July 6, 1944. One month after D Day. Captain Raster continued to fly as one of the lead pilots in the Berlin Air Lift and had Combat hours in the Korean War.. Captain Raster was also an instructor and had hours in a A26. He joined MATS and Commanded C124 operational groups in Tacoma, Washington, Fairbanks, Alaska and Tinker AFB, Midwest City, Oklahoma. He retired a Lieutenant Colonel and passed away on June 6, 1973
William A. Raster
Posted at 13:34h, 06 SeptemberCaptain Raster 306th 367th his crew was assigned to a new B17G. Raster snd his crew flew lead ship on 13 missions finishing his TOD June 30,1944. He received the DFC with cluster and Air Medal with 3 clusters. On July 6,1944, Captain Raster and his crew was presented to the King and Queen of England and Princess Elizabeth with other 8th dignitaries including Jimmy Doolittle, Commander of the 8th, for the christening of their B17G “The Rose of York”.
William A. Raster
Posted at 13:45h, 06 SeptemberCaptain Raster 306th 367th completed his TOD June 30, 1944. Captain Raster received the DFC with cluster and Air Medal with 3 clusters. He and his crew flew 13 missions in the new B17G, as lead ship for the 367th, that was christened “The Rose of York” July 6, 1944