B26.COM Guest Book Pages & Links

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Date:
12/31/2021
Time:
8:02 AM
Hi,

I came across your website on B-26's.

My father, George Henry Watson flew B-26's from 1942-1945.

He flew them in North Africa and then in England/Northern Europe.

Sincerely,

George Watson
Date:
12/22/2021
Time:
7:21 AM
 
I just found an old unopened email from the great and kind man, Mr. Alf Egil Johannessen. Email date: Oct 2, 2010, 12:02 AM. I never met Alf but those who did said he was an outstanding individual. I made the B26 site with Trevor Allen and Alf was one of the first European hobby historians to help answer questions posted to the guestbook. He was a natural detective. I did the best I could keeping up with the email traffic but clearly failed because I missed diamonds like this one from Alf. Ladies and gentleman, may I introduce you to Alf, a person who never said "give me all you have" but gave what he had. Miss you Alf and so do the thousands of people you helped!
 
Mike, the photo is from summer 1943, most probably around July 15th. The person on left is Lt William Howard VanMarter (Pilot) 443rd BS 320th BG. The crew men are (supposedly) also from 320th BG. It's a USAAF-photo published in various books, too. The background for this photo is that the three 12th AF B-26 groups in MTO choose one plane/crew each to go for a Bond tour in the US. Lady Halitosis had serial 41-17765 and was a B-26B-1-MA of 320th BG 441st BS. It was flown back to USA around July 15th1943 together with two other B-26 veterans; Hell Cat, 41-17903 B-26B-2-MA of 17th BG 37th BS, had 50 missions on 15th July 1943 and from 319th BG 439th BS Jabbo's Sky King the 2nd, 41-31609 B-26B-15-MA.

Best regards,
Alf

PS: There is a post at B26.com from 7/13/2003 from the son of Lt. VanMarter, he might have info about photo. What he told me earlier was that his father was in service in MTO from Dec 1942 until Aug/Sept 1943. I have his old e-mail address from correspondence in 2003, but it does not function today. Regarding the Marauder on photo (citation) "Lady Halitosis, which he flew back as Pilot with Pilot John N. McVay (of the 441st) to the States for a war bond drive." From attached document another crew name appears; Bombardier Joseph F. Shevelson (441st BS).

As you see we have one person ID'ed on photo and names of two crewmembers, it's good for a beginning. From another photo of a combat crew of Lady Halitosis I will assume that 2nd from left on attached photo is John N McVay, as he holds his right hand the same way on both photos, unfortunately sunglasses on the other photo but the hand position is identical.
 
1) Lamar Timmons, 441st Squadron, 320th Group
Diary carrying the title “Tail End Charlie” 12,777 words
Saved as: Timmons.1943.105

2) 320BG 441BS LADY HALITOSIS
Original to 13 Jul 43 to USA for Bond Tour
Date:
12/16/2021
Time:
8:00 AM
 
Like we say, we don't know when people will reply to a B26 post but when they do, too bad emails bounce.

New post: I am helping my mother-in-law do some research on her now deceased father, Harvey L. Shuhart (spelled Shuhard on some records). He was a “flight chief” on a Marauder in the 575th Bomb Squadron. Another relative believed that he may have been associated with the “Rationed Passion.” I have not been able to very this of find him in various 575th or 391st records. I ran across the below entry in the 2014 guest book. Is there a way to check with Al to see if Harvey is in any of the photos that he had?

Thanks.
James Kim

Mr. wrote to Mr. Blomberg:

Date: 5/30/2014
Time: 4:51 PM

Howdy!
My Father-In-Law was a crew chief on the B-26 "Rationed Passion" and I have several very good photos of the plane and crew. I will gladly donate them to a good cause, and that they will be used to some extent. My dad in law was T/SGT Joe E. Young. He died of cancer many years ago in San Angelo, Texas. As fine a man as I have ever known. He was awarded the Bronze Star for a raid on a bridge in France. I have a few pictures from that raid. Also the crew and "nose art". Have a picture of the artist doing the final touches on the woman involved. Let me know, please.

Al Blomberg
I was a Crash Rescue Fireman during the Viet Nam war.
 
Al Blomberg, your email address bounced back.
Date:
12/8/2021
Time:
11:51 AM
 
I am a collector of militaria and WWII photographs, especially aircraft pictures. I recently acquired a number of photographs of 555th BS B-26's with ground crews that I would like to share with you for possible addition to b26.com. The photographs all came together, but sadly none of them have any writing on the back with places, dates, names, etc. However, the aircraft are easily identified by their names and nose art. They are all from the 555th BS.

In going through B26.com, it seems as if there are a number of families and veterans searching for pictures of these aircraft so I wanted to share them. It is possible that they might recognize the men posing with the aircraft.

B26.com is a wonderful resource and the single best source of history that I found in researching these photographs. I hope that these photographs will help to add to the history and research on the website.

Sincerely,

Brian Kostel

Thank you very much!
Date:
12/4/2021
Time:
6:44 PM
 
Hello! Thank you so much for the great website! It means a lot. Here's the name of my Dad, Norman Peter Zierk who was a 1st Lt. Pilot in the Army Air Corps. I'd love to have him added to your site.

Marauderman's Name: Norman P. Zierk
Bomb Group: 320th
Bomb Squadron: 441st & 1st Tactical Air Force
Years in service: January 1943 - November 1945
Graduation Class: 44B - Dorr Field
Class Location: Pre-Flight at Maxwell in Montgomery, AL, Primary at Dorr Field in Arcadia, FL, Basic at Gunter in Montgomery, AL, Advanced at Columbus in Columbus, MS
Comments: Norman P. Zierk was a 1st Lt. Pilot flying the B-26 Martin Marauder's named, "Sandra Lee", "Becky", and possibly the "Beauts & Saddles". He flew 62 combat missions in the European Theatre.

* I am attaching my Dad's military record and report of separation certificate of service if that is of any help.

Thank you so much! Would love to see him included in your roster.

Mia Zierk
Date:
11/8/2021
Time:
11:02 AM
 
Hi, I don't have much information on my Father Vincent Eugene Miller but he was in the Navy during WWII as a B26 airplane mechanic and is in this picture. He was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida on the base there. He died when I was 5 years old later after the war. He also worked on the SNJ trainers I think according to my Mom. She mentioned my Dad having to go on the dreaded "bucket brigade" at Jacksonville when one of the repaired planes crashed. They had to pick up the pieces of the airman and the mechanic as the mechanics had to go up in the planes they repaired as an incentive. He was getting transferred to Puerto Rico but that was cancelled when the war ended. I don't know where this picture was taken but thought it might be of interest to some. Tim
Date:
11/2/2021
Time:
11:52 AM
 
Party Times Joseph Dranchak 94th birthday article 2013 or 2017. Regarding the three accompanying photos. I have two of the three in my possession. The bombardier listed as Jack Crisp is actually my late father Gottlieb “Doc” Borgardt. He flew the Arhweiler mission with them 23 December 1944. Attached find a picture of my originals and one of the plane crash landed back at the base. I know he kept in touch with Goodlander over the years.
Date:
10/20/2021
Time:
10:50 AM
 
I would like to ask for your input on a photo that may help clarify information for me as well as provide additional data to supplement information on your site.

My father was the operations officer for the 1922nd Ordnance Ammunition Co. AVN supplying munitions for the IX Tactical Air Command in England, France and Belgium. After he passed away in 2000, I discovered records he had kept from his WWII service. After I retired from the practice of law, I began to review the records, create a chronology and am now writing his story for our family.

My research has confirmed that my father's company supplied munitions for B-26 Marauders and other bombers and fighter/bombers. Among his records was the attached photo of a hit on the German Ammunition Depot at Siegelsbach on 25 Feb.1945 by the 320th Bomb Group (a visual confirmation of what he had told me about ordnance companies: "Either they all came home or no one came home.") Based upon research from Air Force Combat Units of WWII from the Office of Airforce History, the 320th Bomb Group was not flying from airfields supplied by my father's Company, but the 320th did train on the B-26 and, although I am no expert, the planes in the photo are not unlike B-26 Marauders.

In further researching the Siegelsbach Ammunition Depot, I came upon your site and the records of a B-26 crew member named Delbert F. Kretschmar. On your site Sgt. Kretschmar is reported as flying 60 missions; his 58th mission being flown on Feb. 25, 1945 against "Siegelsbach Ammo Dump, Germany." Sgt. Kretschmar noted "hit target and was big explosion." However, there appears to be some confusion in the records on your site about what Bomb Group he was flying with at the time. It is suggested that he was with the 17th Bomb Group rather than the 320th as noted in the attached photo.

My question is, could there have been two missions against the Siegelsbach Amm. Depot on February 25, 1945 or does this suggest perhaps that Sgt. Kretschmar may not have been with the 17th Bomb Group at the time of the Siegelsbach mission?

Any comments you may have are welcome. In accordance with your privacy policy, please keep my information and the attached photo private for now. I am not opposed to its use, but would like to know more about how it would be used before consenting. Thank you so much.

Lawrence Miltner
 
Lawrence,

Mission 492 25th February 1945 320th Bomb Group target Siegelsbach ammunition dump was the target. 50 aircraft took off, five returned early, but 45 aircraft bombed the target resulting in an excellent concentration of bombs blanketing the target area resulting in several explosions and flames .
This was on the same day and target was flown by the 17th Bomb Group

Regards

Trevor Allen
Date:
10/6/2021
Time:
9:30 AM
 
Thank you all!
 
Memorial organisers Mark Ratcliff, left, and Steve Foster, right, with Major David Nan, of the USAF, and Essex Deputy Lord Lieutenant Rosemary Padfield
 
Memorial unveiled in Hatfield Heath to three United States Air Force men killed in plane crash in Second World War
https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/memorial-unveiled-to-three-american-airmen-killed-in-wartime-9217978/
 
Date:
10/5/2021
Time:
3:17 PM
 
Hello there I’m seeking more information if possible on an old 1943 press photo I have that shows the crew of a B26 that crashed on return from a bombing raid on Naples in Italy during 1943. The crew are all named and that’s what led me to your site. Someone back in 2001 was seeking information on a family member who was the pilot of the aeroplane, Captain William (Bill) Wright Jasper was his name. He was attached to the 319th Bomb Group, 437th Bomb Squadron. I have found nothing in connection when searching the names of the rest of the crew.
Let me know if you would like to see a scan of the photo of these B26 crewmen.
Hoping you can help.
Regards,
Alby Anderson
 
 
SWD 700254 WP New York Bureau
 
LUCKY AIRMAN
 
ITALY -- THESE LUCKY AIRMEN ESCAPED DEATH --
 
When their crippled B-26, returning to its base after a raid over Naples, burst into flames as it landed (see Acme photo)
 
LEFT TO RIGHT: (FRONT ROW)
S/Sgt Dennis McLane, 20, of Everett, KY., Engineer and top turret gunner;
Lt. Oliver J. Lambert, 25, Buffalo, NY., Bombardier; (437 BS, 319 BG)
S/Sgt. Bud J. Van, 31, Los Angeles, Calif., Tail gunner;
S/Sgt. Jack A. Picozzi, 21, Los Angeles, Calif., Radio operator and waist gunner; (437 BS, 319 BG)
(BACK ROW)
Capt. William W. Jasper, 23, Sanger, Calif., Pilot; (437 BS, 319 BG)
Capt. Wayne Strup, 26, Hazon, N.D., Observer;
Lt. Oscar F. Glenn, 26, Houston, Texas, Co-Pilot; (437 BS, 319 BG)
Lt. George E. Ewald, 21, Yonkers, NY, Navigator. (437 BS, 319 BG)

#1A Houst Lv 10-9-43 (RK)

Credit Line -- WP -- (Photo By Charles Seawood, ACME photographer for war pool)
Date:
9/18/2021
Time:
7:38 AM
 
Dear All,

Living in Bodegraven, the Netherlands, I am looking for information on an accident, that occurred on May 17, 1943.

Three Marauders were involved, 41-18080 and 41-17991 collided mid-air and 41-17999 was damaged by debris from the mid-air and had to make an emergency landing.

From the information I have, they were from 322nd Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Squadron.

I know names, who perished and who became POW’s.

What I am looking for are pictures and the stories behind the men and machines.

Kind regards,
Kees Spaamer
LEST WE FORGET
Date:
7/2/2021
Time:
8:53 AM
 
My grandfather, Leonard A. Mayer, served as a B-26 radio operator. I found two posts related to him here and thought I would reply:

Last year, Rolland Swank asked about a B-26 that crashed near Cologne in April 1945. Several of the crew members (John Hopkins, Andrew Samar, and Emory Koker) were originally part of my grandfather's crew. I am attaching an annotated photo of that original crew.

I believe my grandfather was also the L.A. Mayer mentioned by Leendert Holleman on February 19, 2012, with regard to a B-26 piloted by Dale Bartels that did a belly landing near Eindhoven on February 16, 1945. That lines up with what I know about his ship crash landing in the Netherlands. He was brought in by a family there and stayed in touch with them until his death in 1981. Feel free to reply if any of this is of interest. I don't have his papers with me now, but I can look for more details when I next have a chance to take a look.
Date:
6/23/2021
Time:
12:59 PM
 
My uncle Bill, William S. "Bill" Whitman, was the person killed in that plane accident pictured in your posts (see: Hank Moen). His only sibling was my father who died 21 years ago. My father and his parents never talked about what happened to Bill of any real details about him. If anyone has info or was a friend of his we would like to hear anything to help us know him better. He was very young and happened to die in France the same day my parents (both also in military service) were married in California and had no idea what had happened to Bill.
Warm regards,
Sherry Whitman Rushton
Date:
6/21/2021
Time:
4:17 PM
 
How to get a copy of military records?
Fill out Form 180 (below) and mail to:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf
Date:
5/4/2021
Time:
9:00 AM
 
My father, Leonard Chiazzari, flew briefly with 24 Squadron South African Airforce. He drew these two pictures of a crashed B26 in colored pencil, unfortunately I do not know what happened to the originals. I have his diary covering the time he was flying the B26 before he was transferred to the “shuttle service” flying between Egypt and South Africa. He recorded some interesting accounts of the bombing raids in which he partook.

Regards,
Keith Chiazzari
Date:
5/4/2021
Time:
9:00 AM
 
"Can I get copies of my grandfather's records?" We get this question all the time. I should have posted this reply long ago. A family member can fill out the standard-form-180 records request. Here's the scoop. Every request will receive a reply, it may take six months or 12 but you'll get a reply. Whatever the reply is, if you're not happy with it, wait six months and try again. The key is this, the archivists are swamped and each archivist has different skill levels. Totally understandable and normal. Often people receive a reply with a photocopy of a partially burned record, yes, that's it, that is all they have. Sometimes people receive more, sometimes nothing, ever. Sometimes it takes two-three requests over a period of time (years). https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
 
That's all I know.
Date:
5/1/2021
Time:
10:17 AM
 
My mother passed away leaving us limited information about her brother, Thomas Masters, my uncle, shot down in WWII. I am looking for any information on the plane, aircrew etc for: (Pilot) 1st Lieutenant Thomas Masters buried at Florence American Cemetery, Impruneta Italy. KIA 7/11/2943 440th Bomber Squadron, 319th Bomber Group.

I have no pictures of my uncle or his crew. My uncle had several sisters and brothers who may have received information from Tom but they are all passed away.

Tom first joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to fight the Germans before we entered the war. We have an appointment document from King George the 6th and also numerous letters regarding Tom's being lost and his burial location.

I was hoping that other families of crew members might still be alive and share photos with me, our family has no pictures of our uncle or his crew.

Thank you,
Robert and Grace

Hello Robert and Grace,
My answer is a start, let's see if others will help.
 
41-18273 319BG 440BS
11 Jul 43 left engine set on fire by two Me109's, immediately dropped off on its right wing & exploded in mid air
1.Lt. Thomas G. Masters; 2.Lt's Evan H. Rice; Jack F. Thomas; S/Sgt's William R. Neville; Arthur M. Raines; Joseph H. James. (All KIA)
MACR 235

Trevor Allen, Historian, B26.com
Date:
4/27/2021
Time:
11:00 AM
 
Hello, I'd like to add a dedication page for Colonel William Eugene Smith, USAF, Retired. The information is from family materials but we would welcome any corrections, clarifications and additional info site historians can provide. Thank you.

Group: 386
Squadron: 553
Theatre of operations: ETO
Duty of person: Bombardier
Name & Tail # of Plane: Rat Poison, 131 606
 
Best, Allen Smith
Date:
1/28/2021
Time:
4:34 PM
 
My wife and I have used the pandemic as a good excuse to embark on a picture-scanning program. Her uncle, William B Anderson, was a B-26 pilot in the 456th squadron of the 323rd bombardment group in WW II. I've attached a few pictures along with an excerpt of a MACR from "Station 358."

There was a note attached to the picture 'B26_Crew-13_01' with the following names (presumably R to L):

Sgt. Ken D Stivers
Sgt. George F Rowland
Lt. William B Anderson
Sgt. Edward G Perkins
Lt. Corvan V Cripe

We have seen a record of his enlistment on 14 January 1942, and think that he may have served in combat between May 1943 and November 1944. He was discharged on 2 March 1946.

Best regards,

Mark & Emily Sullivan
Date:
1/9/2021
Time:
9:00 AM
 
Geoffrey Bussy donated the Martin B-26 Marauder crew pictures to the site. Please help us ID the crew.

1) Unknown
2) 41-35010 391BG 574BS JINX/SNAKES REVENGE
3) 42-95836 391BG 572BS "McCarty's Party"
4) 42-96248 391BG 574BS "MISSOURI MULE"
5) 41-18326 319BG 439BS "SKEETER"
6) 42-95806 391BG 572BS "THE SUSAN KAY"
7) 42-95813 391BG 572BS "THE DREAM QUEEN"
8) 42-95797 391BG 572BS "T.S. TICKET"
Date:
1/6/2021
Time:
2:39 PM
 
I have a picture of my Aunt who worked at the Glenn Martin Company in Baltimore, Md during WWII. She and two other women are standing in front of a B-26 on display. A sign appears to be titled "----D NUMBER NINE", possibly "Old Number Nine". There is a picture of and aircraft with four crewmembers standing by it. The print on the rest of the sign is too small to read except for "Glenn L. Martin Company" at the bottom. We think the photo was made about 1943, possibly at a war bonds drive at the Martin Company.

Do you have any references to "Old Number Nine"? Any ideas?

Sincerely,
John Sigman
 
[large image]
Date:
1/1/2021
Time:
12:01 AM
 
Happy New Year!

Marauder Men, family and friends are invited to add content to the web site. Send scanned pictures 300dpi or mail pictures via post. Tell a story about your Marauderman and include as much information as you can.
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