During 2024,an abridged version of this post appeared on the Framingham History Center(FHC)Blog page.Given that many Framingham Veterans worked for Dennison prior to their military service,it's worth re-posting my original text here.
During World War I and World War II,Dennison Manufacturing was an important producer of “Essential War-Time Industry Supplies." In the First World War,the company manufactured gas mask repair kits,antiseptic bandages,surgical pads,pneumonia gowns,and identification tags and labels for bombs and ammunition.In WWII,nearly 80% of Dennison’s production was related to war uses or “civilian goods classed as essential.”Tag and label production for bombs remained an important product line.
In an episode of Tom Hanks’TV production,Masters of the Air, one of the in-flight combat scenes depicts a B-17 crew member making his way to the bomb bay to arm the fuses on each bomb. This process consisted of removing metal cotter pins that fit in a hole in every fuse.Many bombs had 2 fuses – nose and tail. These fuse pins were a safety device consisting of the pin and a warning tag.They were put in place to prevent premature arming and explosion of the bomb while attached to the plane and to ensure the bomb was fully activated only after reaching a safe distance from the aircraft.The pin/tags could also be used to disarm the bombs should the mission be recalled.The warning tags were produced by Dennison Manufacturing in Framingham.According to the Army Air Forces Statistical Digest (WWII),from December of 1941 to August of 1945,the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) alone dropped 2,057,224 tons of bombs (world-wide).
USAAF B-17’s On Bombing Mission
Image: USAF/Public Domain
Inspecting bombs in B-17 bomb bay
Image: Imperial War Museum
Dennison Bomb Tags
Images: Framingham History Center
Inserting safety pins/tags at an airfield in England
Image: Life Magazine (September,1942)
It was very common for crew members to keep these tags as a memento of their missions.They would note the date,target,bomb load and personal mission number before adding the most recent pin/tag to their collection.The following image provides an excellent example of this simple yet deeply personal tradition.
8th Air Force Bomb Tag Collection of Sgt.Ralph Walder
Image: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Dennison played its part during the country’s time of need.The company helped keep our men and women safe,supplied and treated should they be wounded.Yet another fine example of Framingham’s contribution to the war-winning “Arsenal of Democracy.”
Sources
Army Air Force Statistical Digest(WWII),December 1941-August 1945
Framingham History Center
Imperial War Museum
National Museum of the Mighty Eight Air Force
National Museum of the US Air Force
National Archives
Recommended Reading
Readers interested in learning more about the rich history of Dennison Manufacturing are encouraged to explore the Framingham History Center’s Dennison Timeline (https://exhibitions.framinghamhistory.org/dennison-timeline/) and other material related to this important corporation.
Masters of the Air, America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany Donald L. Miller
Framingham,An American Town Stephen W. Herring
Recommended Video
Suggest watching 9:15 to 17:00
HOW TO LOAD BOMBS ABOARD AIRPLANES ARMY AIR FORCE TRAINING FILM 1941
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYQp0TxsOMg
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