Soldier in civilian clothing, possibly near Bakersfield, California during World War II

Gift of Jason Sloan
Description: 

Photograph. Soldier in civilian clothing near Bakersfield, California in the 1940s. He was possibly stationed near Accra, Ghana in the 1940s. Possibly a member of the Air Transport Command.

Image Information

Accession Number: 
Date: 
Location: 
Hometown: 
Branch: 
Unit: 
Campaign / Event: 
POW / KIA: 
Topical Subjects: 
Collection Level: 
This collection contains photographs from WWII with some possibly taken in Accra and other cities in Ghana, know at that time as the Gold Coast. There are 190 photographs with no provenance. A few clues suggest most of these were taken in Ghana (in or around Akropong, Aburi, Accra etc.) of an Army Air Force unit(s), probably part of the Africa-Middle East Wing and/or Air Transport Command. Ghana played a significant role in the Allied war effort. On 27 June 1942, the US Army activated the Air Transport Command in Cairo under Brigadier General Shepler W. Fitzgerald. Ten days later, Fitzgerald moved his headquarters to Accra [Ghana] and organized the Africa-Middle East Wing. In late 1942, the United States Army expanded its presence in Accra by activating the 12th Ferrying Group Headquarters, the 41st Ferrying Squadron, and the 42nd Ferrying Squadron. The 12th Ferrying Group, which was part of a transportation network reaching from the United States, via Africa, to the China-Burma-India theater of operations, ensured the movement of men and matériel through Senegal, Ghana, and Chad. Ghana played a significant role in the Allied war effort. On 27 June 1942, the US Army activated the Air Transport Command in Cairo under Brigadier General Shepler W. Fitzgerald. Ten days later, Fitzgerald moved his headquarters to Accra [Ghana] and organized the Africa-Middle East Wing. In late 1942, the United States Army expanded its presence in Accra by activating the 12th Ferrying Group Headquarters, the 41st Ferrying Squadron, and the 42nd Ferrying Squadron. The 12th Ferrying Group, which was part of a transportation network reaching from the United States, via Africa, to the China-Burma-India theater of operations, ensured the movement of men and matériel through Senegal, Ghana, and Chad.
Geography: 
Bakersfield
Latitude: 
35.367
Longitude: 
-119.017