Thomson, Jack B-17 Co-Pilot

Thomson volunteered to join the Army Air Corps. Thomson's training with the Air Corps would prepare him to be a pilot. It began with him being sent to Santa Ana for pre-flight training. Next he attended primary training in Soquel and basic training in Taft, California. His final phase of pilot training was in Nogales, Arizona for advanced training. After completing his pilot training, Thomson was assigned as the co-pilot for a B-17. He was placed on crew #52, 570th squadron with the 390th Bomb Group. After the crew completed their phase training, they were tasked with flying to Wales to begin their deployment. Thomson and his crew would eventually be transported to the airbase at Framlingham, England. Thomson flew 35 combat missions between 9/1/44 and 2/14/45. During his interview, Thomson describes his training and missions.