Yangkai (Yangjie) 羊街

A 373rd Bombardment Squadron (308th Bm Grp) crew poses at the nose of 'Nip Nipper', a B-24D1, serial #42-72837, probably in a revetment at Yangkai, early in 1944. Image from U. S. Government official sources.

The day Old '59 left for home. Yangkai, March (?) 1944. Lloyd Kershaw, Eugene Montgomery, Peterson.

The crew of "Old 59", and well-wisher Barbara Vatter (American Red Cross Nurse at Yangkai) pose for a photo as the crew, after many, many combat missions, prepares to return to the USA. Once back in America they were scheduled to participate in a war bond tour. Frank Bates had noted, "That's Bill Murphy holding the bull." The crew stands...

These 491st Bomb Squadron maintenance personnel pose for a photo after preparing "Old 59" for its triumphant return to the USA. Wishing the plane a safe trip are Clayton E. "Fred" Nash, Wilbur Carter, Atkinson, Joseph A. Bicagalupo, Joseph F. Burns, Karl E. Hammett, center rear -- Frank Bates, William W. Byrant, Elmer M. Peterson, Arnold B. Christensen, Lloyd E...

Pete Bertani, Peterson, Frank Bates, unknown, posing before a B-25 Mitchell in a revetment in China, likely Yangkai.

Overview of the American airbase at Yangkai (Yangjie) during WWII. Frank Bates notes, "Looking west across the valley. The newest planes' tail numbers are 336 & 340 and piloted by Alexander & Brillhart. Yangkai Army Air Base, China, early 1944." The 22nd and 491st Bombardment Squadrons arrived in January 1944 and shared the base with the 373rd Bomb Squadron (B-24s)...

Christmas in the barracks at Yangkai, China, 1944. James Devol, Louis Macaluso, Vincent Luccarelli. See similar image in Frank Willard Bates collection here.

Major Gen. Charles B. Stone and the B-25 "Charlie's Aunt" during a visit to Yangkai on the August 29, 1945.

B-25 "Niagara's Belle", #439. Pete Bertani , Yangkai, 1945.

B-25 "Japutie Slugger," #442. Butsika 25, Yangkai, 1945. Note burning of paint on fuselage around muzzles of the two blister-mounted .50 machine guns.