Commanders of the Poltava Air Hub with Soviet Female Interpreter, June 1944
October 3, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes
US and Soviet officers with a Soviet female interpreter at the Poltava Air Base, Ukraine, during Operation Frantic, June 1944.
This World War II photograph shows commanders of the Poltava Air Hub at the 169th Special Purpose Air Base in Ukraine, alongside a Soviet female interpreter holding a field flower gifted by one of the officers, in June 1944.
In the image, the American officers are Colonel Barton of the 483rd Bombardment Group (left) and Colonel Rice of the 2nd Bombardment Group (right). The photograph captures the unique moment of collaboration between USAAF personnel and their Soviet hosts during Operation Frantic, the shuttle bombing program that enabled American bombers to strike German targets and land on Soviet-controlled airfields.
Operation Frantic and the Poltava Air Hub
Following a 1943 request from the US government to Stalin, American heavy bombers were permitted to overfly Soviet territory to reach targets in eastern Germany and the Balkans without returning to bases in England or Italy. In early 1944, the USSR allocated three airfields in Poltava, Mirgorod, and Piryatin for this purpose. The bases were defended by Soviet anti-aircraft units and operated with strict organizational standards to support Allied missions.
Symbol of Allied Cooperation
The presence of the Soviet interpreter highlights the importance of communication and cultural exchange in these joint operations. The photograph exemplifies the daily interactions and mutual respect that developed between US and Soviet officers, demonstrating a rare and productive wartime alliance.
Technical photo data:
📍 Location: Poltava, Ukraine, USSR
📅 Date: June 1944
📝 Event: Commanders of the Poltava Air Hub, 169th Special Purpose Air Base, Operation Frantic
📷 Author: US Air Force Museum
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