I am hoping someone on the other end of this email address can help tell me which book it was.
Thanks!
Katie Sobczynski
I knew your grandfather as "Sob" and "Hank." During my life I have been impacted by a lot of great and good persons, your grandfather was one such person.
After I arrived in England (assigned to the 454th squadron of the 323rd Group), my first indoctrination flight was with your grandfather -- it was a formation flight and we were flying left wing. In U.S. training we had little formation exposure and your grandfather recognized that I was having difficulty holding a left wing position on a left turn. Calling me a few ugly names, he admonished me to get in position, I responded that I lost sight of the lead aircraft on the left turn and when that happened I backed away. His comment was to forget the lead aircraft and fly off the right wing aircraft, My response was, "What if he moves out of position?" His answer: "If you live long enough to get back on the ground, you get hold of him and cut off his balls." I think I included this experience and some other detail on your grandfather in the "Marauder Men" book. I have often said that it was "Hank" who really made me a pilot. He was admired by everyone.
The right wing man was a good friend and, once on the ground, I told him that on a left turn I would be flying off him and to absolutely hold position -- which he did. For some time he flew right wing and I flew left wing so close that we scared the hell out of the lead aircraft.
We had a lot of fun and good memories,
Major General John O. Moench, USAF (Ret)
Bomb Group:
Bomb Squadron:
Years in service: 2
Graduation Class: 1943
Class Location:
Comments: Castleberry finished 3rd in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1942 as only a Freshman at Georgia Tech. He co-piloted "Dream Girl" out of Liberia which disappeared on Nov. 7, 1944 on a mission with one other Marauder. I welcome any additional information that anyone can provide about Castleberry and his ill-fated mission. Was any wreckage ever found? and what were the Group, Squadron, Plane Serial Number, Tail Number, etc.
Thank you.
Bomb Group: 387th
Bomb Squadron: 557th
Years in service: 3
Graduation Class: Unk.
Class Location: Unk.
Comments: Hello, I am French, and I collect WW2 memorabilia. I have acquired a uniform 9th air force that belonged to Joseph Gondert. I am looking for any information about him. thank you in advance for your information. Thank you, Cedric
| Arthur B Johnson 323 Bomb Group attached to the 1st Pathfinder Squadron. I flew 6 missions with the 323 rd before being transferred to the Pathfinder Sq., ended up with 48 missions. I became an instructor at Page Field in Ft. Myers Florida. In the fall of 1942. Moved to Avon park then to MacDill then to Lake Charles. Checked out in B 26s then overseas as replacement to the 323rd and finally to the 1st pathfinder sq. The only problem flying Pathfinder lead was the 88s always zeroed in on us. Crew included 1st Lt. Erwin R Paaske, co pilot; 1st Lt. David H Hill, navigator; 2nd Lt. William R Banks, bombardier; T/Sgt Joseph A Raff, engineer; T/ Sgt Paul E Price, radioman; and Sgt Ulyeses Karitis, tail gunner. Raff and Price were on their second tour having flown first tour with the 100th of the 8th Airforce. |
Regards,
Kevin Gilfether
As teenagers, my parents watched the crash of 3 B-26C Marauders near Bodegraven, where they lived at that time.
One of the planes made a belly landing at De Meije. This plane had the registration DR-W (41-17999) and belonged to the 452 Sq of the 322 Bombardment group.
The crew consisted of L. David Wurst, 2Lt. Robert Starr, 2Lt. A. Speer, Cpl. George Heski, S/Sgt. Robert J Dempsey and Sgt. Reginald Foster. The complete crew survived and became POW's. Mr. Helski was wounded and my father saw how they helped him out of the plane.
I'm writing an article about this plane for the magazine of the History Club of Bodegraven and would like to ask you if there are any pics of this plane. Can you tell me if the plane had a nickname and nose art? I would like to include that info in my article.
Please contact me if you have any information.
Thank you kindly in advance for your help.
France
[large]
[large]Charles L Fincke, Jr.
My grandfather, Clarence "Cy" Cyford, flew on the "Loretta Young". He passed away a few years ago, but I have many photographs, documents, and stories that he left behind. I would love to be able to organize and understand more about what I have. What would you suggest as a good starting point?
Thank you,
Emily Cyford
I have a number more keep sakes, articles, letters, photos, etc. My father believed this was one of the photos he took on D-day either over Omaha Beach or Utah Beach. Here is a photo my father took through his bomb site...I do not know which mission it was from.
Best regards,
Lesley Barton
***
Arthur Barton was born on September 13, 1921 in Minnesota. Six months later his family moved to Chicago, IL, where he was a salesman of house furnishings, and attended night school classes at Northwestern University before he enlisted in the Army Air Force after Pearl Harbor on October 10, 1942; he had just turned 21 years old. Known in his cadet training as Buzz, he attended the training in Santa Anita, CA, as well as, winning his wings at the Bombardier Training School in Albuquerque, NM along with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 2nd Lt. Arthur Barton left with Col. Robert H. Adams crew in April of 1943 to go overseas and be stationed at Earls Colne, England in order to join his comrades in arms in the European Theater.
2nd Lieutenant Barton, arrived at Earls Colne and was part of the 453rd Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. While with the 8th Air Force, 2nd Lt. Arthur Barton was wounded in action for the first time over Martinvast, France. Soon after Buzz Barton was injured, he was awarded the rank of 1st Lieutenant. 1st Lt. Arthur (Buzz) Barton, Jr., flew two B-26 bomber missions over Normandy and Omaha Beach where he was wounded for the second time by flak bursting just ahead of his plane (while he was in the nose) which filled his face with plexi-glass cuts and injured his hand, as well, during the D-day invasion. Lt. Barton served in the 8th with his pilot, Col. Robert Bob H. Adams, co-pilot F/O Robert Brownie K. Brown, Engine Gunner S/Sgt. Clarence Blackie M. Blackmore, Radio Operator-Gunner S/Sgt. Charles Max E. Maxwell, and Armorer Gunner Sgt. Archie Russ Russell Martin, who were his crew members, friends, and brothers on their infamous bomber the Goatee Hell. Lt. Arthur Barton later was with Ghodes Crew and transferred to the 9th Air Force. During the Lieutenant's time with the 8th and 9th Air Forces, he flew most his missions throughout France, Holland, Belgium, and submarine pens in Norway.
One of 1st Lt. Arthur Barton's favorite and most humorous of memories was about the Marty Marauder crashing into their British Base and smashing directly into the tail of his parked bomber the Goatee Hell. A very determined Master Sergeant George Feehan, called together volunteers who were in shock and disbelief, to help solder the nose of the Goatee Hell (vet of 51 missions) to the tail of the Marty Marauder (vet of 57) together. The cocky crew proclaimed the three week job of make-shift mission assembly the quickest job in AAF record to the inspectors that were in awe of the matched marvel. Lt. Arthur Barton was completely unfazed flying all of his future bombing missions in this make-shift airplane: To Buzz it was just part of the job.
One of Art's saddest memories was of going out on leave one weekend and coming back to find that he had lost his entire squadron; it always haunted him because he had not been there to help protect his comrades from perishing. Just five years before he passed, a man Art had been conversing with at a nearby country club exclaimed to him "you are lucky to have survived," for which Art later professed to his wife, Mary Ellen, that it had never crossed his mind before that moment; " it was my job, it had to be done."
1st Lt. Art (Buzz) Barton flew a total of 70+ combat missions in B-26 Bombers from where he was stationed in England to bombing targets in occupied Europe during his time in World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart, twice, for wounds received in action, and the Air Medal with 2 silver and 2 bronze oak leaf clusters representing 13 air medals in total. He also received the medals for the European Theater (ETO) with 2 Battle Stars, American Theater, and the Liberty Medal.
When Buzz left the European Theater, he was returned stateside in order to train French Flyers at Selfridge Field, Michigan and Barksdale Field, LA. Due to 1st Lt. Arthur Barton heroically amassing 139 points during army service, (his 17 medals alone worth 85 points were enough for him to return to civilian life), he was sent back home before the War in Japan had even ended.
Just before Lt. Arthur Barton was honorably discharged, he was called out of the debriefing line and taken into a dark room full of Commanding Officers and was asked to head one more secret volunteer mission for which he was promised the the highest medal he could be awarded. Buzz took the night to mull it over and upon his return the next day, he told the extremely High Ranking Officers that he had done his duty and felt that he must travel home to his concerned beloved mother that he had already cabled regarding his imminent return. Art later discovered that the final mission these men in the dark room had wanted him to assist in heading was the Enola Gay. Art was always eternally grateful that his adoring devotion to his mother kept him from flying the only mission of his military career (volunteer included and he flew 3 times the missions needed to be sent home) that he ever rejected.
Buzz was also a speaker representing the U.S. Army Air Force on the 7th War Loan Drive selling war bonds and giving Bombardier awards to Blockbusters in Port Huron Schools who had received 2,000 in the war salvage program. When 1st Lt. Bombardier-Navigator Arthur (Buzz) Barton returned home to civilian life and was honorably discharged from the AFF on June 14, 1945 with 54 points to spare, it was less than three years after his enlistment and Buzz was just short of his 24th birthday.
Art arrived home to Chicago, IL and re-enrolled at Northwestern during the day on the GI Bill and assisted in starting the very first Alpha Tao Omega fraternity chapter at the University along with other WWII comrades in arms who had just returned stateside. After graduating from Northwestern in two years, Art went onto Northwestern Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate.
Art became a general practitioner with a sole practice primarily in personal injury and workers compensation cases with his primary outsourced client being Marshall Fields & Company for over 25 years. His wife, Mary Ellen, and two children, Bruce and Lesley, would be stopped readily on LaSalle Street in Chicago by other attorneys praising their father, Art, for being the most honorable attorney on the street which is considered attorney's row. Art was highly respected by his clients and his peers and was awarded the honor of Senior Counselor by the Illinios State Bar Association. Arthur's last case of his career was a malpractice case that received the highest verdict awarded, at that time, against one doctor. Most of Art's lifetime was joyously spent raising his adoring family in Kenilworth, IL and then retiring to Glenview, IL where he passed away peacefully on May 7, 2006, surrounded by his adoring family that will love and miss him until they meet again.
I know many of his old squadron mates -- like him -- are no longer with us. However, if anyone knew him, I would welcome the chance to correspond.
Kind regards, Bob Maslowsky
Name: Melvin W. "Irish" Maslowsky
Rank: 2nd/LT
Rating: Pilot
BombGrp: 394th
Squadron: 584th
Years: 44 - 45
Training: Blythe-Merced
Advanced: Marfa Class:44F
Comments: Joined the Army in 1942 and was assigned to Armor becoming a tank commander. Selected for aviation training and graduated from Advanced at Marfa AAF, Class 44F. Not sure when he arrived in ETO -- believe it was summer of 1944 - but was there through war's end. Mustered out after the war and remained in the Reserves. Re-called during Korea and remained on active duty till 1968. During this time his duty stations included: Langley; Rantoul; Offutt; Ashiya, Japan; Eglin; Naha, Okinawa (TDY to Vietnam), and McGuire. He retired in 1968 as a Lt Col and died in 1985.
Unfortunately, my uncle passed away a couple of years ago. However, my son and I, along with my sister, brother and sister-in-law spent Christmas Day with him a couple of months before he died. I wanted my son to meet and hear some of the stories from an actual WWII veteran. I had 7 uncles that served in the war and, miraculously, they all survived. They are all gone, now, but we cannot forget their service and sacrifice to our country.
Sincerely, Robert Todd
The plane later had the nose art of “Milk Run Special” (adult content stuff). Anyway, I have that picture in my den/computer room and was wondering what I was going to do with it. you might ask Trevor for any other crew members. I certainly don’t know of them.
[large]The crew members:
P- Dilg, John H.
CP- Burk, Dale V.
N- William (NMI) Haban
B- Van Pelt, Wilber
RO- Baloom, Leo D.
E- Metzger, Leonard D.
TG- Horney, Harold E.
Bomb Group: 323rd
Bomb Squadron: 453rd
Years in service: 1943 to 1945?
Comments: My father, Russell Thayer, is turning 90 on Dec 5th. He was the pilot for his plane (and maybe squadron leader at some point?). I would like to compile some notes from anyone who can help me regarding memories of flying with him, training with him, etc.
Attached is a crew photo. His crew (from right to left): Lt A. P. Ianne – Tail gunner; Lt. R.L. Trone – Top gunner; Lt. ??? – Engineer; Lt. John McLean – Bombardier; Lt. J.W. Jones – Co-pilot; Lt. Russell Thayer - Pilot
[large]Bomb Group: 38th and 42nd Bombardment Group
Bomb Squadron: 70th Bombardment Squadron , Medium
Years in service: ?
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: My cousin was shot down and died 1/28/1944 during a strafing attack on Tobera. I remember that my aunt was given anecdotal information that Leslie was lost to AA. The remains of Leslie and his crew were found in the Rabaul jungle in 1962 (I think). He was buried at Jefferson Barracks in St Louis. I would appreciate any information or tips on how to find out the details of his training and service. I would also love to find any pictures. I v worked for and retired from Martin Marietta. A big “thank you” to anyone who can help me.
I discovered a history of the 42nd Bombardment Group, titled The Crusaders. There is a single reference to FO Leslie Gilliland in Chapter 10.
I discovered your web site this evening and am most impressed. God bless our vets and God bless the B-26 crews and support elements too.
Dave Sutherland
I live in a small village in rural England called Willingale. I am interested in local history and I regularly walk on footpaths near a sad, derelict building and in making enquiries I discovered this was the WWII Command Building for the 387 USAF Bomber Squadron. Amazing!
I think it is terribly sad that it is in such a state of disrepair and my family and I would like to find a way of preserving it for posterity.
I made contact with the website because it was an American Air Force base, not a British Air Force Base, and I though American ex-servicemen and/or the families of ex-servicemen who were based in Willingale might be interested in the project?
I am not looking for funding, I am merely looking for a way of making contact with individuals who may have memories of the base and might be interested in learning about it now. That is all. No ulterior motive.
However, if you would like to help I would be most grateful for any assistance you may be able to offer.
Kind regards
Jeff
I believe that you live in Willingale, and that you came across the Operations Building whilst walking around the old airfield. I also believe you would like to find a way of preserving it for posterity. I have no personal experience of taking on such a project, but I would guess that this would be a most challenging undertaking. As you can probably expect, there are issues concerning ownership (or leasing) of the land on which it stands; the repair and the ongoing maintenance of the building(s); health and safety regulations; electricity, water, and sewage connections; and last (but not least) funding !
I am a member of Boxted Airfield Historical Group, who have recently constructed a museum on the old airfield site (http://www.boxted-airfield.com/). Construction of the museum was funded by various fund-raising events over many years, donations from individuals and the families of servicemen who served on the airfield, and also with the help of the National Lottery Fund. Our chairman would probably be the best person to talk to regarding what is involved and I would be happy to ask him to contact you. There are, of course, many other airfield museums (Thorpe Abbotts, Horham, Rougham, etc.) who I would expect would also be happy to give you advice.
It's a shame that the museum at Blake Hall closed about 7 years ago. I never got the chance to visit it, but I believe that it contained a great deal of memorabilia concerning the 387th Bomb Group. I hear that the exhibits were sold (a travesty, if so) to collectors and the rest found their way into the hands of individuals or organisations willing to give them a home. I came across several free-standing display boards at Debach museum a few years ago, which contained various photographs of the 387th aircraft and crews. Someone at the museum said that they acquired these, and a few more items (the pilot's seat from a Marauder being one) from Blake Hall. So, it would be a fitting and marvellous thing if these objects were able to be displayed at Willingale, perhaps in a museum !
I visited Willingale last year, and had the privilege to meet Peter Crouchman who was a young man when the 387th arrived at Willingale (you can read more at http://www.b26.com/guestbook/2011.htm posted 11/13/2011 8:41 AM). Peter took some relatives of an airman who was killed whilst based at Willingale and I around the airfield, and it was a joy to hear all the memories that he had of the airfield and of Willingale in times gone by. Peter sadly passed away last year, and his expertise and knowledge will be sorely missed. One of the main issues that relatives and others face is knowing where they are welcome to wander on the airfield and where they are not. Other activities, such as clay shooting, also present a danger. As such, building a rapport with the appropriate landowners (which Peter had) is something that would be useful.
The Operations Block (a sturdy, brick built, bomb-proof, building) was boarded up the last time that I visited it (to stop the vandals destroying the place). The bomb sight store (as smaller brick building) also still stands nearby. This was a secure building where the Norden bomb sights were stored when not in use. There would also have been at least 3 large Nissen huts nearby (24 feet diameter) and some of the foundations of these are still visible. These huts would have housed administration staff who would have planned each mission, and a hut where the crews were briefed before each mission.
In the meantime, I recommend AIX as a valuable source of information concerning all UK airfields. It's free and (once you've created an account) you can post questions on almost any subject concerning airfields and their buildings. The Willingale thread is viewable at http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/showthread.php?2203-Chipping-Ongar-Willingale
I would expect that members of AIX may be interested in helping with your project should you wish to pursue it.
There are several books concerning the Essex airfields used by the USAAF and the various Marauder groups based at these available from Essex Libraries (http://elan-classic.essexcc.gov.uk/evs-app/). I can suggest some of my favourites if you would like ?
Perhaps you'd like to meet up some time for a chat and/or a wander around the airfield ?
Regards, Steve
| My name is Owen Cottle. I was an aircraft armorer in the 558th Squadron, 387th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force stationed at Chipping Onger, England and subsequent locations from early 1944 until July 1945. Aircraft that I worked on included Pugnatious Peggy, Screaming Eagle and several others working in tandem with other ground crew armament personnel to load bombs and maintain the 50 cal guns. Best friends were Irvin Boisen from Montana, John Pelos from Washington, Frazier Bailey from Florida, Artie Gill from New Jersey, Dick Mizurka from Illinois. Have you any information on any of these people so that I could contact them? |
[large]Date: 7/3/99 Time: 2:09:04 PM
"Pugnacious Peggy" 387th BG 558th Squadron Chipping Ongar. Amresearching 558th BS "Pugnacious Peggy" and crew. "KX-Z" a silver B-26B-55 Lt. Stuart "Stub" Perrin pilot Lt. Bill Bustard co pilot T/SGT Ole Olsen radio/waist gunner Ralph Paden togglier/nose gunner Elrod Larned engineer/turret gunner Bob Norwood tail gunner. Looking for add'l details of May 29, 1944 mission to Conflans railroad bridge (near Paris). Lead ship with Capt Harmon and crew lost to flak at target. Ole Olsen was only casualty in "Pugnacious Peggy". Perrin & Olsen shared a take off prayer together each mission for their whole tour together, synchronized to takeoff checklist. E-mail me and I'll share the text. Cam Martin
Reverend Perrin related the story of Olsen and the prayer they shared when he was my minister back in the '60's. I found the story and the prayer on the internet a couple of months ago and thought I saved it. I've been all over the internet since then trying to find it again but no luck. I believe it was Cam Martin who was the author of the story. My church is having a Veterans' Day service this year, and the minister would like to share the story and prayer.
I also remember Reverend Perrin telling me how he replaced the 38 in his survivor vest with a pocket Testament. He put his faith in God at a time when crew members who were shot down were murdered on the ground. It was a powerful testimony.
Thanks.
David King
Respectfully,
Leighton Peters
Bomb Group: 386th & 394th
Bomb Squadron: 553rd & 584th
Years in service: 1941-1945
Graduation Class: Air Corps Technical School
Class Location: Scott Field, Illinois
Comments: Grandpa (S/Sgt.) Carl, was a Radio Operator/ Gunner on B-26s in 1945,with the 386th in Beaumont-sur-Oise, France, then the 394th in Cambrai, France, then Venlo, Holland. He apparently did 3 missions with the 386th BG, 553rdBS, 29 Jan - 17 Feb. The 386th transitioned to A-26s in this time, and he was transferred to the 394th which still had B-26s. I have his Mission Record for the 394th, which starts with Sortie #4-20, and many Individual Flight Records from January '45-August '45. The Mission Record with the 394th shows "previous missions" presumably from the 386th, Sortie #1-3, with start and end dates, and total time, but nothing specific (like mission dates, mission sortie #s, aircraft type and model, and aircraft serial number and nickname). I would like to find out those 3 missions he would have done with the 386th, as I have been able to figure out the other missions with the 394th. On each of the individual flight records, it gives days, a/c type and model (B-26G1), number of landings, and hours (listed under non-rated other crew&passenger). From what I can figure so far, he would have flown 29 Jan '45, in a B26G1, for 3:45. The next sheet shows 6 Feb B26G1 for 3:15, then 17 Feb B26G15 for 3:30. I'm looking for the mission number (like #326), the target (marshalling yard/bridge/depot/) the aircraft serial number he was in, the group ID (5W-H), and aircraft nickname (Zombie/Happy Pappy).
There seems to be a lot of other flights listed in the individual flight record, specifically after his last "mission" in 20 Apr. They seem to be shorter flights of 2 hours or less. What kind of flights would these have been? Not actual missions? Training? Proficiency flights?
It seems that he moved from one plane to another, to another, only being on one specific plane 3 times, the rest, once maybe twice. Where Radio operators assigned to specific ships? or just Lieutenants?
Is there any record of what each individual crew member did on each individual missions? Like if on any of these missions did he score any hits/kills?
Is there any record of his promotions from Corporal, to Sergeant, to Staff Sergeant? And then an extraction order at the end of August sending him home?
I was able to find some great information on http://www.b26.com/historian/chester_klier/pdf/386th_bomb_group.pdf , had some info on the 386th, but I can't read the mission records well enough to make out the specifics. http://www.b26.com/historian/chester_klier/marauders.of.the.386th.bomb.group.htm , lists aircraft of the 386th/553rd, but I don't know if he was on any of these aircraft.
Thanks again for all you do!! So much appreciation for the work!! And thanks to the Vets that did the job!!!
Bomb Group: 344th BG
Bomb Squadron: 496th BS
Years in service: July 1943 -January 1945.
[large]Hi there,
I am looking to make contact with anyone who knew or has photographs of 1st Lt. Glenn R. Young, known as Bob, he enlisted in the RCAF in Oct 1941 and was given 18 months training. Assigned to active duty at the front, he was assigned to 279 Hudson Squadron at RAF Bircham Newton, England, he flew a total of 20 missions with 279 squadron. On 13 July, 1943, Glenn transferred to the United States Army Air Forces, commissioned as a First Lieutenant. He was assigned to the 496th Bombardment Squadron, of the 344th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force, flying B-26 Marauder, medium type bombers based at Stansted, in England. He took part in the 496th’s mission on the morning of the D-Day invasion, flying aircraft B-26 N3*A at the front of box II. Lt. Young received a commanding officers commendation for accurate bombing in the attack on the gun emplacements at Utah Beach, and for an accurate attack on Cherbourg Port on 6/6/44. In late October, 1944, the 496th were sent to a French Base, Cormeilles-en-Vixen, where Lt. Young was quartered in a wooden building that the Germans had constructed to house their “collaborators”. His room accommodated about 12 personnel of which a fellow 496th pilot, Lt. Jack Bornhoeft, was a resident. Lt. Bornhoeft recalled that Lt. Young, reminded him of an English gentleman, pipe in hand, or in the side of the mouth and evidently from his RAF days, he used various English terms for parts of aircraft. In December 1944, Lt. Young was awarded the Silver Star medal for taking out a bridge during the Battle of The Bulge in the Ardennes Forest. During this mission, he was severly injured by FLAK and suffered tremendous blood loss. He managed to nurse his damaged aircraft back to base and was commended for his exemplary bravery in performing his duties under intense enemy action. Excluding his missions with the RAF, he flew 65 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations with the USAAF before arriving in Northern Ireland as a test pilot at Langford Lodge in early 1945. Glenn preferred to be called Bob, his daughter recalled. Sadly, before he was due to depart Langford Lodge for the states, he was killed in an aircraft accident just off the airfield in June 1945.
I am looking for anyone who might have photographs of Lt. Young while he was with the 496th BS or can fill me in on any missions he was on from historical records, I would be interested to learn more about his part in the D-Day assault and when he was injured by FLAK during the Battle of the Bulge.
I have been researching Lt. Young for over ten years now, It all started with researching aircraft accidents that were located in the vicinity of where I live, knowing that a huge American WWII base was just down the road, I inquired to my grandmother if she remembered any accidents during the war, to which she remembered a P-38 crash on the outskirts of the village, from researching this accident, I managed to track down all other aircraft accidents from that base, which was the former Base Air Depot 3, Langford Lodge. In doing this I came across Lt. Young's accident. I have been writing a book on these accidents for the last two years now and have tried my utmost to leave no stone unturned in revealing the truth about each accident. I had a website around ten years ago detailing these accidents and fortunately Lt. Young's family made contact with me, just as I had recovered parts of his crashed aircraft, strange co-incidence but I find it always works out that way when you least expect. It was Lt. Young's grandson that made contact with me and put me in touch with Lt Young's son, David, who was born in England a month before the crash and his daughter Anna, from Glenn's first marriage in Kentucky, USA. Lt. Young was based in Northern Ireland at Langford Lodge in early 1945, I assume it was shortly after he left hospital after being severely injured by FLAK in December 44. Assigned as a test pilot, Lt. Young was responsible for ferrying many war-weary aircraft to Langford Lodge from another local airfield, Greencastle, on the shores of the North Irish coast. When the aircraft arrived at Langford Lodge, they were assessed and either majorly overhauled or scrapped for salvageable parts, the vast majority of these aircraft were A-20's, but also B-24's, B-17's. It was while undertaking a test flight in one of these War-Weary A-20 aircraft that he was killed, sadly along with another young Lieutenant who came up for a ride to see what the A-20 was all about, he was only at the base for the day to replace a pilot who had suddenly taken ill, he was to replace this pilot and ferry a C-47 and it's crew back to Metz in France. A few days after the accident, Lt. Young should have been making his way home to the states with his English wife and recently born son. The official report blamed Lt. Young for allowing his aircraft to stall while in a steep climbing turn, what the investigators of the time did not take into account, was that the engine, into which he was turning, had quit, which brought on the onset of the stall and subsequently developed into an inverted spin into the wing. This was only discovered ten years ago when I excavated the remains of his aircraft, the results of which, an intact propeller blade, was proof that it was not moving when it came into contact with the ground, proving that engine failure was the main cause which brought about the series of events that took place.
I'm unsure what English terms he used, but Lt. Bornhoeft recalled he used British terminology for various parts of an aircraft, this was due to his time with the British when he was in the RCAF.
Would you happen to have any unit histories or photographs pertaining to Lt. Young while he was with the 344th BG?
Please find attached a picture of Lt. Young in RCAF uniform and later USAAF uniform, note he had his RCAF wings sewn onto his USAAF uniform.
Thank you for your time, kindest regards to you all.
Will Lindsay
I am researching the crash of RAF mosquito HK454 which crashed at Tilty in Essex, England on 5th February 1944. Tilty is very near the Former RAF Great Dunmow/Easton Lodge which at the time was the home of the 386th BG.
I understand crash crews from the 386th attended the crash at the time.
I would like to ask if you would know if I can find any information about the crash from the 386th's records or log books and how I would go about this please?
I think perhaps the pilot was trying to nurse the "Mossie" (De Havilland Mosquito, Mosquito bomber) to a crash landing at Great Dunmow which was very close but didn't make it.
Would there be any records of radio calls kept or tower log books/records perhaps?
Some info on the crash in these links-
http://www.pprune.org/aviation
http://aviation-safety.net/wik
Thank you,
Yours Sincerely,
Darren Stone
I inherited a box of photographs from my mother and among them was a photograph that Elmer Frank had sent my mother of the plane and crew, following an earlier emergency landing. On the back of the photo, Elmer wrote the names of the crewmen, who included Sgt. Thornblom.
I'm attaching copies of the photo, front and back, in the hope that Ms. Hierholzer discovers them.
Edward G. Puhl
 |
 [large] |
| [large] [close-ups 1, 2] | Left to Right: Lt. Jenks; Crew Chief Garrett; Elmer J.
Frank; Line Chief; unknown, unknown, unknown. "Picture taken after making emergency landing at A72. Right engine knocked out over Germany while flying through flak barrage. Came home all alone. Flew one hour and fifteen minutes." |
My name is Paul J. and I am a serious collector of original WW2 photography…mostly snapshots and albums of soldiers in the ETO. I often will buy other groupings if they are good quality. Well, I just purchased one such grouping this week. There are approximately 300 original period prints and 200 + negatives taken by a photographer with the 387th. There are many mission shots, shots of B 26s dropping bombs, aerial views of targets, a few pilots, shots taken in and around their base in England as well as here back in the US before they shipped over. Shots of them when they were taking part in the Normandy bombings of Utah beach including several shots from the air of the vessels below off of Utah…etc etc. I had to pay a lot to get these and would like to sell them as a group. If you aren't interested than most likely I will have to start splitting them up and selling them on auction site as I need to pay some bills.
Please get back to me as soon as you can if you have any interest.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Paul J.
Here is an example of a person contacting us BEFORE putting pictures on an online auction site - we appreciate the opportunity to buy pictures and NOT see collections broken up and sold. We need them to be seen and donated to Akron Marauder man archive.
Greetings,
Richard Kunne
Holland
My father flew 59 missions out of Sardinia & Corsica primarily in O'Riley's Daughter (B/N 67 42-107550).
He’s never attended a B-26 meeting/conference and has been reluctant over the years to contact or become a member of a B-26 group but he has many great stories that I believe should be documented and shared.
My fathers name is Robert (Bob) M. Davis. He’s 88 and alive and well . If you or someone is interested in documenting some of his stories, please let me know and I will put you in contact with him.
Regards,
Byron Davis
Bryon, "O'Riley's Daughter" was transferred to the 320th from the 319th in November 44 when the 319th converted to B-25 Mitchell - full original description was 319th Bomb Group 437 Bomb Squadron 42-107550 BN.08 "O'Rileys Daughter". -Trevor
b.7/17/1921-d.5/26/2011
Position: Radioman on B-26 Bar-Fly
Comments: My dad said he was trained on B-17s and sent to England with a 8th Airforce B-17 crew but shortly after arriving in England he was re-assigned to the 9th Airforce as a replacement radioman on a B-26.
The only date I'm sure of was the date he had to bail out over France 8/11/1944. He said they dropped their bomb load and were heading back to England. He took off his parachutes and climbed up into the turret for the ride back. After the plane was hit by flak the pilot gave the order to bail out. Dad said he didn't have time to put his main chute on (after climbing down from the turret) so he just clipped the back-up chute on his chest and jumped.
He said he didn't know what happened to the plane, he was so busy trying to get his chute to open (his 1st and only jump) it took him several tries at pulling the release before the chute opened.
When he landed the French people were right there and took him to a house. There was another GI from his crew with him that he only knew as Smitty, my dad was only with this crew a few days at this time. Dad and Smitty were helped by the French people as they moved toward the coast and eventually met up with British troops. They were repatriated a few weeks later.
Here is a picture of Bar Fly with dad standing closest to the nose of the plane, I don't know who any of the other crew members are. But, this looks like the same Bar Fly seen in pictures on your site and other B-26 sites.
Also, here is the letter to my Grandmother informing her of dads being listed as MIA, and dads telegram to his mother letting her know he is okay. -Ed Byrnes
Crew: Maj Ervin A Rodgers pilot; Capt Robert V Holland co-pilot; Capt Robert L Cunningham, navigator; 1.Lt Donald E Headrick, bombardier; Sgt Alfred J Byrnes radio/gunner; S/Sgt J C Smith armourer/gunner; Cpl Grant Barker armourer/gunner.
Trevor Allen
Historian b26.com
[large]Sincerely,
Mr. Val T. Lester
AWFC Dan Zommer, USN.
Correct spelling of last name is Strube. According to records, my Uncle was one of those that parachuted out and was captured and placed as a prisoner of war. I am trying to collect more information about him. I was told by my farther that his brother was killed during a prisoner exchange when the Germans did not mark the train with red crosses. As a result, the train was attacked and he was killed. Trying to collect more information if there is anyone who has info or knew my Uncle.
Sincerely
Michael Strube
Date: 19 February 1945
Target: Railroad Bridge at Neuwied, Germany
B26: 43-34208 W (Un-named)
Crew:
Capt Martin Harter - pilot
2.Lt Shaldon Spector - copilot (prisoner of war)
1.Lt Robert Brugman - bombardier/navigator
2.Lt John Therkeldsen - bombardier/navigator
S/Sgt Joseph Stube - radio/gunner
Sgt Harvey Johnson - engineer/gunner
Sgt Neubern Atkinson - armourer/gunner
T/Sgt Harold Brown - armourer/gunner
Capt Nicholas Opalic - Army liaison officer
Cordially,
Jean Pierre, President Forced Landing Association
John Richard Auer, Sr., 90, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, September 4, 2012.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Paul Michael Auer.
Mr. Auer was born in Windsor, Canada. He served in the US Air Force for 24 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He also worked 20 years for the State of Nebraska, retiring as the director of the department of Aeronautics.
Col. Auer is survived by his wife of sixty nine years, Barbara Greene Auer; son, John Richard Auer, Jr. and wife Dottie; three daughters, Barbara Joanne Block and husband, Robert; Susan Boyd and husband, Jim; and Kristin Cohn and husband, Mitchell; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
His name is Bill Hahn, and he was my 7th grade science teacher in 1950 in Wethersfield, Connecticut. He later moved to Darien, Connecticut and taught in the school system there for many years.
Now and then Bill Hahn would tell B-26 stories to the class, and I remember them all, from taking the Brazil-Africa route to England, to his opinion on which was worse, fighters or flak (he said flak because at least you could see the fighters).
Bill Hahn also lived in my neighborhood, and was admired by all. I don’t know his squadron, but I wanted to send this message in tribute to a terrific guy and brave pilot who flew the B-26 in combat.
William A. Hahn, 397th BG, 599th BS, co-pilot and pilot .ed
To: Editor et al B26.com
Good evening gentlemen: This is a preliminary note to find out if your website is “alive and operational” in order not to write my own story of WW2 and more during which I flew as co-pilot-navigator on two B26 bombers from Miami to Cairo and on to Palestine for the RAF based there. I was part of the secret without passport and country who ferried bombers under lend lease before the attack on Pearl Harbor which was called Atlantic Airways LTD and which became Pan American Air Ferries after Pearl Harbor was bombed.
During the flight from Accra to Kano and onto Maidduro ???? to El Fasher and Khartoum, we stopped at El Fasher RAF Base. In departure from the some 4000 foot raised some 4 foot runway with some plus 110 degree temperature the plane was too fast to stop and too slow to fly. We settled fprtimatey slowly enough to get the lift from air pressure against the shrub covered ground. We heard the brush banging on the cowling and the fuselage but it did no damage to the props and landing gear and open covers. It seemed eternity until we were actually airborne and safely on our way to Khartoum to stop and later proceed to Palestine. At Khartoum after landing, the men on the ground asked whether we were chasing camels.
I have much, much, much more both before and beyond which is of interest to anyone interested in aircraft and particularly in planes used in warfare. If you want more information, I will be pleased to send it to you as soon as I can write it and dig out the photos I have. Capt. Sherman Best has a bit on your website and he is long time on the net friend of mine as is Stan Wood who flew P38s along with others. Just so you know, I am now an active on the net age 97 veteran of WW2, Berlin Airlift, Korea and Vietnam who made my last military flight into Saigon under fire flying a DC8 “stretch” jet in 1974 just before I became 60 and was no longer allowed to exercise my ATR for Commercial flying. We had been flying for the military CRAF program. You can see my earliest flying by Googling Willmott Roosevelt Field and scrolling about half way or more to see my photos of the Texaco 12 views from the air and see my attached story.
You have an amazingly wonderful website. And anything I can add to make it better and fill in parts which remain untold, I would be happy to send them.
I am writing this with magnifying equipment supplied by the USA people via the VA which enabled my only one eye read and handle the net in spite of my recent macular degeneration. Also please excuse my typing errors from my stiffening fingers often hitting the intended target.
Thank you for your time and interest. Please acknowledge this with any questions and suggestion which are welcome.
Cheerio with 73 and 88 as warranted.
John W. Willmott aka Jolly Uncle John
Kind regards,
Eifion Evans
[large]I am trying to find information pictures or stories that relate to a particular Marauder. My reason for this request is for my grandfather. His brother died in a marauder but due to the lack of info and the mod he has only recently been able to find how, where and when his brother died. From the records my grandfather has been able to gain access to his brothers aircraft which was listed DNR.
His name was P Daley. The squadron he flew with was the 14th the aircraft he was in was FK 142 R this was from what i can tell the Dominion triumph. On the 14th association website the following is listed "Missing from Recce Mission from Ghissonnaccia"
the crew F/Sgt MC Reid, F/S JT Brown, W/O A Western, F/Sgt TN Gilchrist, F/Sgt WH Carr, F/Sgt P Daley are all listed missing. The only information the mod could give to add to this was that a rescue aircraft was sent out and spotted lifeboats with crew aboard, water and supplies were dropped they unfortunately were not able to pick up due to weather they returned the following day the boats could not be found. i am hoping to find out as much as i can my grandfather is in his 80's and he is trying to fill in all the blanks. Also due to me being an avid modeller he has asked me to build a model of the aircraft. I would like to get it as close as possible to the real thing. any pictures of the aircraft its crew or info with regards to missions or how the circumstances surrounding its loss would be really appreciated. I hope to hear from you all soon
thank you,
Michael Daley
"Triumph" F/Sgt MC Reid, F/S JT Brown, W/O A Western, F/Sgt TN Gilchrist, F/Sgt WH Carr, F/Sgt P Daley
Best regards,
Stefan Rasser
Biberach Germany
Bomb Group: 391
Bomb Squadron: 573
Years in service: From his flight log:
7/5/43 First Flight Gunter Field
9/6/43 first flight from George field
12/3/43 trained on B-26 from Barksdale
2/22/44 tested new ship at Hunter
2/26/44 Left for Europe from Homestead.
3/8/44 landed in England - St. Mawgans
5/1/44 Flew from 166 to Douai, France
1/13/45 Left Europe for US
I have his complete flight log...
I am Kathleen Darden Adams, daughter of Lt Frank E. Darden. I am writing regarding the photo of my Dad on http://www.b26.com/
Kathie Adams
P. S. S/SGT Photo Tech…..Photo of his group on cover of Life Magazine recently found on Internet by his oldest son: Charlie A. Smith, III aka “Buzz”. The photo was taken by the Plane: “Pappy’s Pram”. I was so happy to have attended his 50th Sqd. Reunion at the Air Force Academy with him and meet some of his buddies. Charlie left us an album of photos which will some day be given to the B-26 Museum.
Bonnie L. Smith
Cpl William Thomas Grigsby was killed 15 Oct 44 by walking backwards into a rotating propeller, he had just found out that his wife had given birth to their first child. A tragic accident. -Trevor Allen, historian
Bomb Group: 320th
Bomb Squadron: 442
Years in service:
Graduation Class:
Class Location:
Comments:
I would like to find out how I can order replacement metals that my grandfather won. They were lost after my grandmother past away and I would like to make a shadow box display to give to my mother who has his pilots hat and burial flag on display. Is there anyplace that I can order these?
Thank you, Todd Ellis
Bomb Group: 391
Bomb Squadron: 573
Years in service: From his flight log:
7/5/43 First Flight Gunter Field
9/6/43 first flight from George field
12/3/43 trained on B-26 from Barksdale
2/22/44 tested new ship at Hunter
2/26/44 Left for Europe from Homestead.
3/8/44 landed in England - St. Mawgans
5/1/44 Flew from 166 to Douai, France
1/13/45 Left Europe for US
I have his complete flight log...
I am Kathleen Darden Adams, daughter of Lt Frank E. Darden. I am writing regarding the photo of my Dad on http://www.b26.com/historian/dane_donato/01.htm. The description under the photo of my Dad's plane "OH FRANKIE" says my Dad was co-pilot. I believe he was the pilot. I have a large copy of this photo, and it clearly says on the side of the plane "LT F. E. Darden Pilot". After finding this picture online, however, I have noticed that he is sitting in the co-pilot's seat, and his hand with his Air Force ring could be covering up "CO". All his military paperwork says he was a B-26 pilot. and his logbook is a "Senior Pilot Log". We did not find the copy of the photo until after my Dad passed away - but his children, grand children, and great grandchildren were all SO excited to learn his plane was named after him. I am looking for any and all information about my Dad, and about the plane "OH FRANKIE". Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Kathie Adams
Bomb Group: 17th
Bomb Squadron: 34th
Years in service: 1943-1945
Graduation Class: 44-B?
Class Location:??
Comments: I am looking for help in getting information/documents/photos about my grandfather, LeRoy Percy, and his service during WWII. I have collected many documents from Maxwell Base's research facility and some others on my own through the Internet but was wondering if you or any of your contacts could help me collect information (especially photos) concerning my grandfather's service or point me in the right direction.
He was stationed in Dijon, France and flew 19 combat missions before V-E Day, and his crew (as they appear in the attached photo, left to right) are as follows: Percy--pilot; John Roberts--co-pilot (only surviving member); Bueford C. Holverson--navigator/bombardier; James E. Hammond--radio operator; William D. Minter--crew chief/turret gunner; and Irving R. Schwartz--tail gunner. He got his training at the following bases: Miami Beach, FL; Knoxville, TN; Nashville, TN, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL; Arcadia, FL; Gunter Field, Montgomery, AL; Columbus, MS; Del Rio, Texas; Lake Charles, LA; and Hunter Field, GA.
Would the plane in the photo be the one he flew, or did they pose for crew pictures in front of any nearby B-26? If it's his, is there more information available on this plane?
Where could I locate some good period photos and other documents of the various training facilities mentioned above? Or find some pictures/documents (besides on your website) of the 17th BG at Dijon? And if anyone on your guestbook is familiar with my grandfather and/or his crew, or with the places mentioned above, please contact me.
Also, for those interested in the 17th and 320th Bomb Groups while stationed at Dijon, an excellent web site to check out is run by Dan Gilberti [here]. It shows the entire history (with plenty of documents and photos, though the text is in French) of the Dijon/Longvic airfield in France, from its use by the French before and after WWII, to the German and American use during the war, with special sections dedicated to the 17th and 320th Bomb Groups.
Many thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
William A. Percy
Here is everything I know about him - he was a 2nd Lt., his serial # is XXXX201. I have evidence that fellow members of his crew are 2nd Lt. Donat F. Dauteuil, 2nd Lt. Martin G. Koehler, Sgt. Charles C. Wade, Sgt. Eugene Rider, and Cpl Walter F. Poleski.
He was either the pilot or copilot of a b26 bomber, and I believe he was in the 575th squadron of the 391st bomb group.
The name of the mission in which he was shot down is "Mission to St. Pierre du Vuvray Bridge, France"
1941-1942
Doolittle's Raiders
Killed in September 1942 while on routine training mission near Pinnacle Mountain, Little Rock, AR. Kenneth was born in Bowie, TX on June 29, 1920 and died from wounds suffered as the result of his B-26D on September 3, 1942. He enlisted on November 23, 1940 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps on July 11, 1941. He was co-pilot of Crew # 11 in Doolittle's Raiders in the Tokyo Raid of April 1942. The crew crash landed in China and survived that chapter of his military career. I have included two photos; the first taken just after repatriation by the Chinese Army in April 1942 and the second, his crew on the B-26. I don't have names unfortunately. I am attempting to gain more information from the Arkansas Historic Commission and surviving family members. I grew up in Bowie, TX and went to school with his nieces and nephews however he was gone some two years prior to my birth. His awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.
1st LT Kenneth E Reddy, 22, Bowie, TX, Pilot
2nd LT Charles s. Bachbill, 21, Williamsport, PA, Co-Pilot
2nd LT Phillip Williams, 23, Hinsdale, IL, Navigator/Bombardier
SGT Thomas T Roberts, 22, Knoxville, TN, Flight Engineer
CPL Dominic T. Moduno, 20, Brooklyn, NY, Radio Operator
PVT Thomas A. Naylon, 33, Pittsburgh, PA, Asst. Radio Operator
Crew members of B-26A Marauder, Tail Nr. 41-7441 which crashed on September 3, 1942 approximately seven miles northwest of Little Rock, AR near what is now Pinnacle Mountain State Park. According to witnesses, the aircraft was on a westerly course and nose dived into the earth erupting into flame and utterly destroying it. No cause of crash was determined and it is unsure if crew remains were recovered or not. The aircraft was attached to Barksdale AAFS, Louisiana and on a routine training flight.
Billy Hollaway, LT, USN-Retired
In your 2010 archives there was a post by Paul Shaffer. He is grandson to Capt. John H. Shaffer PIC of the Marauder 295-165. 397-BG and transferred to 387-BG at wars end. I believe the craft at one point was named "Big Hairy Bird" then "Cuddles" after Capt. Shaffer took command.
I have here what I 'think' is the original photo of the craft. Also the original army text on the back below.
[large]If you could help me find grandson Paul I would be honored to send him the original.
Regards,
Patrick James
[large]
[large]
[large
image]
[large]
[large]
[large
image]
[large
image]