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| 384th Logbook Archive for the Year 2004 |
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| Name: Harry Slife, Jr.
E-mail address: hlccjs@msn.com Comments: My Dad was a flight engineer on the B17 "Ruthless" in the 384th BG, 574th squadron. He passed away in 1998 and I have been trying to gain some information about his time in service and crewmwmbers. I have some pictures he left me which I will try and scan then send to your web site. I was very pleased to see you had a picture of "Ruthless" on the web site. I have heard about this plane since I was a kid. -H. Slife, Jr. Thursday, December 30th 2004 - 07:47:26 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Ken Baran E-mail address: awkcb@worldnet.att.net Comments: My father was a B-17 crew member with the 384th BG (reportedly 547th Bomb Squadron, but I'm not certain) at Grafton Underwood. I have a photo of the entire crew in front of a B-17, presumably the plane they were assigned to. I'd be glad to share the photo with family members of the crew, whose identities are listed below. 2nd Lieutenant Marlo Hanson, Pilot, Inwood, Iowa; Warrant Officer Frank Amado, Copilot, Nogales, Arizona; Warrant Officer Rudy Fatula, Navigator, Rochester,PA.; Warrant Officer Will Wright, Bombardier, Baltimore, MD; Staff Sgt. Nat Kaiser, Armorer, Bronx, New York; Staff Sergeant Fred Miner, Flight Eng'r, Ashtabula, OH; Sgt. Roberto Ochoa, Rt. Waist Gunner, Deming, New Mex.; Sergeant Ken McAdoo, Ball Turret Gunner, Ada, Oklahoma; Staff Sgt. George Baran, Radio Operator, Port Vue,PA.; Sergeant Harry Harbour, Tail Gunner, Comanche, Texas. Wednesday, December 22nd 2004 - 10:15:05 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Jess Richey E-mail address: jlr98513@aol.com Comments: Pat I have some information OnF/o Clayton Wilsons crew,but I sent you an e-mail and it came back as bad address. regards Jess Richey Saturday, December 18th 2004 - 08:15:08 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Bill E-mail address: BReagan88@comcast.net Comments: I am looking for information on a Major Oscar Picard, who I believe was an intelligence officer in the 384th Bomb Group. Please contact me if you have any information. Thanks! Friday, December 17th 2004 - 10:47:00 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Patrick Boyer E-mail address: pat.nic@libertysurf.r Comments: I am in search information about B-17 42.30147. This plane was shot down on the aug 17, 1943 misssion to Schweinfurt, germany, piloted by F/o Clayton R Wilson. The aircraft made a forced landing in France. I search: Crash position, name of the plane, Wilson Crew and all information about this day. Sunday, December 12th 2004 - 01:46:50 AM Name: D. Michael Klein E-mail address: DKlein1713@aol.com Comments: My uncle, Edward Werner told me he was the chief engineer on the B-17G 45VE 44-8007 (Screamin' Eagle). I have the same picture that is posted on this sight. I am working on a model of the plane and would like to know if anyone could tell me what color the right horizontal stabilizer was painted since I can see that it was replaced at sometime. Any input would be helpful. Thank you Thursday, December 9th 2004 - 02:35:22 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Fred C. Calabrese E-mail address: eilfre@netzero.com Comments: Was in the 384th as a Navigator, in the 545th Bomb Squadron. Tuesday, November 30th 2004 - 02:57:11 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Len Estrin E-mail address: helestrin@juno.com Comments: I was a late arrival to the 546th and only flew 17 missions, the the war ended. Went to Istres, France with the group and returned home on Aug.17th 1945. V J day Would like more info on the planned trip to England this Spring. Monday, November 29th 2004 - 11:08:40 AM ------------------------------------- Name: DeWayne Tharp E-mail address: dtharp@valornet.com Comments: I would like any infofmation on my dad S.Sgt Lee Paul Tharp he was at Grafton Underwood in Apr. 1944 to Aug.1944 he was with the 384 BG & possable with the 547 Bombardment Squadron -Heavy he was A Ball Turent Gunner on A B17 he may have been on the Nevada Avenger he flew 31 mission over Europe he recived the Air Medal with 3Oak Leaf Clusters & the Distinguished Flying Cross he talked about A dog they call Delbert McNasty & here is A few of his mission 7 May 1944 Bridge Berling,GR. Altitude 25,000 Ft. Flack Heavy over Target 10/10 overcast on oxygen 5 1/2 Hr. my first mission pretty Rough 8 May 1944 Target Chergurg France 3 planes lost Altitude 26000 Ft Flak Moderate 3 1/2 Hr. on Oxygen Take off 15:30 Landing 20:40 P. 47 Escort 4 in. hole behind # 3 Engine small hole in trailng edge off right wing Hand crank Bomb doors up This is A couple of his Missions he flew in his on words if anyone hase any Information or Phots of him or the plane or crew members & names He Passed Away On 27 Oct 2003 HE Is AT Rest At Green Hill Cemerty IN Garvin Co. In Lindsay Ok. He Was 80 Yrs. Young I Would Appreciate Any Inf.on My Dad Thank You & All The Vet Of All War,s & There Famileys Sincerles You,s DeWayne Tharp Sunday, November 28th 2004 - 05:53:00 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Sue Stalzer E-mail address: sdstalzer@machlink.com Comments: About three years ago I started the search for any living crew members who flew with my father, T/Sgt Warren E. Clingler. I had in hand his log book with the list of names of the crew of his B-17. I had longed to make contact with any of these men who knew my dad. My dad was the radioman of The Wild Hare Riders, squadron 544 of the 384th Bomb Group. I am writing to those of you who are still searching for crew members of a loved one and to encourage you to keep searching. I found the pilot of The Wild Hare Riders and now have a wonderful relationship with him and his dear wife. We have sent pictures back and forth, correspond regularly through the internet, they have become family. Just a few weeks ago my sisters and I had the thrill of traveling to their home in North Carolina to meet them in person and had a wonderful trip. My father died in 1957 and I didn't have the opportunity to know him well, but meeting Jack Hoppen, my dad's trusted pilot and friend has been a the answer to a prayer. So, keep looking you never know where your search might end! Monday, November 15th 2004 - 06:23:16 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Edouard E-mail address: riiren.belsuo@skynet.be Comments: MESSAGE for Tony REYNOLDS about Gerald P. DAVIS : The mail I had sent you on October 30 bounced back ("Access denied... User unknown." Please mail me at the above address. Ed Reniere BRUSSELS Belgium Friday, November 12th 2004 - 07:27:06 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Bob Estler E-mail address: zoomare@aol.com Comments: In response to my 10/13/04 query for info on 2nd Lt. Doanld V. Chubb (MIA 5/8/44), a number of people responded with info, among them Tony (sqwak.chick@btinternet.com). Tony identified the crew members, aircraft (42-97081, code BK-K) and details of the loss 15 miles off Cherbourg. From that and Lt. Kuba's (1 of 2 survivors) report, it is clear that the aircraft was on mission 99 to the V2 launch site at Sottevast, France - not on mission 100 to Berlin as reported on the 384th Bomb Group website summary of missions. Thanks for the help. Wednesday, November 10th 2004 - 12:36:41 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Tony Reynolds E-mail address: tonyr@eskimo.com Comments: My great-uncle is Gerald Davis, buried at the Cambridge American Cemetary. I pulled this info off the web site for the cemetary. Gerald P Davis First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces Service # O-710237 545th Bomber Squadron, 384th Bomber Group, Heavy Entered the Service from: Alabama Died: July 7, 1944 Buried at: Plot C Row 2 Grave 47 Cambridge American Cemetery Cambridge, England Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters I see a record of his death in Alabama rosters for his serial number. Which plane/crew was he on? Does anyone know anything about the circumstances of his demise? The site lists no plane losses for 7/7/1944. Thanks Tuesday, October 19th 2004 - 08:51:56 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Chris Corrigan Tibbals E-mail address: christopher.tibbals@verizonwireless.com Comments: Great web site. I am looking for information for my mother regarding her brother Thomas F Corrigan. He was the bambardier on 'Miss Deal', B17F-85-BO, 42-30049, 384BG, 544BS. The ship was shot down on its first mission bombing Hamburg on 6/25/43. He was a POW for 2+ years. Anyone out there with any photos of the plane it would be greatly appreciated. Monday, October 18th 2004 - 10:11:47 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Jeff S E-mail address: jssel@aol.com Comments: October 14, 1943 Black Thursday. Remembering the William Harry crew of Me an My Gal 42-29800 shot down 20 minutes after bombs away near Rodelsee, Germany Thursday, October 14th 2004 - 08:04:18 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Bob Estler E-mail address: zoomare@aol.com Comments: Trying to find info on my wife's uncle 2nd Lt. Donald V. Chubb. He is believed to have been a co-pilot on a B-17G shot up badly over Europe on 8 May 1944 during his 4th mission. Understand that he was awarded the Bronze Star for staying at the controls of the burning bomber to allow rest of crew to jump. Aircraft is reported to have blown up before he could exit. Most of the crew died of wounds or hypothermia in the Chanel anyhow. Saw some reference that he was in the 384th / 546 or 547th, but unable to confirm. Got any ideas where I can get more info like A/C number, mission? My house backs onto a park and every Memorial Day, I mount the pictures and stories of 7 family and friends lost in the service. Would like to tell more. His sister, 2nd Lt. Mary E. Chubb (181st Medical Dispensary, Aviation) was killed in the air just 5 weeks later on 14 June 1944. Wednesday, October 13th 2004 - 11:31:50 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Phil Tomkins E-mail address: PTomkins@AOL.com Comments: Thank-you for the site and deepest respect to all veterans and their families. I live a couple of miles away from Grafton Underwood. My Mother-in-law delivered bread to the field on her bicycle and by all accounts had to brave wolf-whistles every day. By a strange coincidence my father would have been a 17 year-old air cadet at the time, hanging around to see the action - as he did at several other local bases. He's not too well now so I am looking after his 'memories' in the way of photos he took whilst in the Parachute Regiment towards the end and after the war. However - I've also got his air cadet 'Flying Log'. It shows July 27th 1944 Fort '208' Pilot's signature 2nd Lt.Charles W.Overton. Duration 6 hours. 22000ft. Oxygen used. The rest of the flights Dad made were in British planes and I remember he once told me he had 'hitched' a flight in a Fortress called Lilly Belle, so this had to be the one. Said they went over France and he got into trouble with my Grandma on return cos he was late for his tea! He never told her where he'd been. My Dad must have been persistent because this was surely against all the rules! Still, it would be just like him - he forged his age and Grandma's signature on application papers to become an RAF pilot. She found-out and stopped him but all he did was join the Paras. He said of all the flights he had in Dakotas he'd never actually landed in one. I've never been able to track-down Lilly Belle until finding your site today - 42-38208 SO+A of 547th Squadron - and glad to say she survived the war. If anyone could provide a photo of the plane and/or crew including 2nd Lt.Overton I know it would make my father very happy indeed. Thanks again and hope this piece at least fills a gap. Before closing I should also mention I have a photo of the original cross and grave of pilot Jerome David Phelan 238 Sqdn RCAF who died Oct 4 1942. On the reverse is written 'Jerry Phelan's grave, Amaria, Western Desert'. I am aware he is now interred in El Alamein War Cemetery but the Amaria resting place is obviously his first so I would like to get the picture to his relatives. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows him as a Flying Officer and doesn't know his age. However the photo shows 'Pilot Officer' and date of birth 2/2/19. God Bless Him. I also have several photos of North African Luftwaffe original graves with iron cross headstones and pieces of inscribed propeller / palm fronds as ornamentation. Also dated around the battle of El Alamein. Does anyone know the German authority I could repatriate these pictures to as I know that's what Dad would wish me to do. Monday, October 11th 2004 - 03:39:00 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Marilyn Rose McNair E-mail address: rosemcnair@worldnet.att.net Comments: Do any of you who served @ Grafton Underwood remember my father: Samuel Weldon (Buddy) McNair? He was with the 384th BS - 546th BG. I believe that he was an adjunct and that his work invovled WEATHER. Would love to be in touch with anyone who knew him. Sunday, October 3rd 2004 - 04:31:00 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Andy WILSON E-mail address: familywizz@tiscali.fr Comments: Trying to contact Thomas HOLLER: I have just gone thru' the 384th Message Board and seen a reference to "Mr 5 by 5". I am researching the period 20th - 25th February 1944, "BIG WEEK" and have been in contact with the son of Jack Larsen, pilot of 42-29717. I have quite a bit of information regarding this crew, including phots; Interested? regards, Andy WILSON Tuesday, September 28th 2004 - 02:23:20 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Louise Sullivan E-mail address: mlhjds@gate.net Comments: My husband, James D. Sullivan, was a B-17 pilot of the 384th BG. He died in 1990 and I have had a book published in his memory, "Trails and Trials of a WWII Pilot and His Bride". It details each of his 30 missions, his training and return to the States. Our marriage, adventures and misadventures. A description of the book is at: http://www.nefla.com/udc/book.htm. It may be purchased from me for $15 including postage and handling (606 Ridgeview Circle, Clewiston, Florida 33440) or by calling Southern Heritage Press 800/282-2823. (P.O. Box 10937, St. Petersbury, Florida 33733.) Tuesday, September 14th 2004 - 11:36:26 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Matthew Rash E-mail address: matthewrash@aol.com Comments: My grandfather was a ball turret gunner on B-17G, 42-38013(Nevada Avenger). His name was Homer Warner. He passed away 2 years ago, taking with him his personal history of the air war over Europe. I was wondering if anyone remembered him and could pass on any information you might have on him or his crewmates. They were Merton D. Klatt-pilot, John Baker-co pilot. John Titus- Navigator, John Weckerly -bombadier, Carrol Pattison-radio, Francis Guill-waist, Owen Wetherbee-Fl engineer, Lilburn Jones-tail. My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you that, if not gave their lives, gave of themselves; to protect our freedom and preserve our American way of life. Friday, September 3rd 2004 - 09:40:44 PM ------------------------------------- Name: roger cornevin-hayton E-mail address: madregor@wanadoo.fr Comments: i would be glad to find a photo of " nymokimi" crew , b 17 crashed in my area on july 4 1943 and i witnessed the crash the pilot was Pilot G ERICKSON raid on le mans ( france ) thanks in advance regards Thursday, September 2nd 2004 - 10:11:14 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Allan G. Blue E-mail address: alblue@cvn.net Comments: Searching for any information on 384th Navigator 2LT Clyde W. Davis, O-734435, a childhood friend (Cold Brook, NY) said to have been shot down and KIA over Holland in a plane called Vulgar Virgin. (These facts not verified.) His name does not appear in any of the crews listed on this site. His body apparently was never recovered and he was given a post-war FOD. (Finding Of Death) Al Blue Saturday, August 28th 2004 - 08:55:35 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Ginny McAloon E-mail address: gin@infowest.com Comments: Nice tribute to brave men..my brother in law, Scott A. Briley was a silver star pilot in the mighty 384th. He was shot down over Schweinfurt4-13-44 and ended the war in Stalag #1...He still is an honorable man-lives in Escondido, Ca. Wednesday, August 25th 2004 - 06:07:48 PM ------------------------------------- Name: C Carlson E-mail address: cgcrita@aol.com Comments: Very good site but having a hard time finding any info on a pilot O H Jackson,pilot of Sleepy Lagoon,shot down 1/28/1945.Can you E/mail me any info on this pilot? Thursday, August 19th 2004 - 10:40:09 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Joe R. Carnes E-mail address: jcarnes@aol.com Comments: Pilot, TREMBLIN GREMLIM shot down sept. 19, 1944 one wounded, ball gunner, james b. king all others returned safely. dreambook is great, thanks for your hard work. Monday, August 16th 2004 - 12:57:28 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Fred C. Calabresee Comments: Very Good Saturday, July 24th 2004 - 12:42:47 PM ------------------------------------- Name: BC E-mail address: bullpacker@hotmail.com Comments: Howdy everyone, My father recently found his log book that he kept from his 30 missions on a B-17 and I thought I would share his history. He has very rarely talked about his war experience. It is not something that he would boast or brag about but something that was essential and is considered by him just service for our Great Country. This is submitted by a Proud Son who has been blessed to have such a fine Father. Missions Log For M B Chase Jr. (Note: This is from my father's service log, which he kept while he served in the Army Air-Force from March 26, 1943 to his last entry of February 9, 1945. The following is his record of the 30 missions from the log in his words. From what my father told me, target locations may be slightly different than the official target due to him Identifying a couple of the targets from landmarks which they saw... Mission Number: One Date: August 3o, 1944 Ship Number: 062 Target: Pas de Calais Time In Air: 5 Hours Remarks: No Flak and no fighters. Bombed flying bomb installations. London won't get hit by their rockets tonight. Mission Number: Two Date: Sept. 3, 1944 Ship Number: 282 Target: Ludwigshafen Time In Air: 9 Hrs. 15 Min. Remarks: Moderate Flak, No fighters. Bombed Chem. Factory Mission Number: Three Date: Sept. 5, 1944 Ship Number: 703 Target: Ludwigshafen Time In Air: 9 Hrs Remarks: Very intense flak, no fighters. Received quite a bit of battle damage. Saw a B-17 go down. Bombed chemical factory. Mission Number: Four Date: Sept. 10, 1944 Ship Number: 888 "Hot Nuts" Target: Stuttgart Time In Air: 7 Hrs. 10 Min. Remarks: No fighters, Moderate flak over target. Bombed marshalling yards. Changed direction of a few trains. Mission Number: Five Date: Sept.11 Ship Number: 888 Target: Merseburg Time In Air: 9 Hrs Remarks: Moderate flak over target and meager, accurate flac over Rhine. No fighters. Did not bomb primary, but bombed city close by. Lost manifold pressure on no. 2 and 3 Eng. Saw Jet-propelled enemy fighters but were not attacked. Escort took care of them. Mission Number: Six Date: Sept. 19, 1944 Ship Number: 282 Target: HAMM Time In Air: 6 Hrs. 30 Min. Remarks: No fighters, moderate and accurate flak, Visual Run. Landed at Old Buckingham. Air Medal Mission. Doc Chanter bailed out over Belgium, Three engines got back Sept. 21, 1944. Mission Number: Seven Date: Sept. 21, 1944 Ship Number: 6080 Target: Mainz (??) Time In Air: 6 Hrs. 15 Min. Remarks: Accurate flak all way in and all way out, Intense over target. Fighters came back at a altitude of 50 to 150 ft. Came over channel at about 25 ft. saw ship sunk in channel. Mission Number: Eight Date: Sept. 26, 1944 Ship Number: 016 Target: Osnabruck Time In Air: 6 Hrs. Remarks: Two runs on target. No fighters, moderate & accurate flak. Received few holes in ship. Mission Number: Nine Date: Sept.27, 1944 Ship Number: 615 Target: Cologne (Ruhr) Time In Air: 6 Hrs. 30 Min. Remarks: Intense and accurate flak, no fighters. Visual bombing. Birthday party mission. Plenty of refreshment after the mission. Mission Number: Ten Date: Sept. 30, 1944 Ship Number: 8000 Target: Munster Time In Air: 6 Hrs. Remarks: Moderate and accurate flak, no fighters. Dropped four bombs on Ramp before take-off. (Never saw so many guys run so fast and so far in such a short time) Mission Number: Eleven Date: Oct. 2, 1944 Ship Number: 8000 Target: Cologne Time In Air: 7 Hrs. 15 Min. Remarks: Intense flak, very accurate. Toured Ruhr for 79 minutes, no fighters. Toured the Ruhr with that P.H. Navigator and tease the Germans. Mission Number: Twelve Date: Oct. 3, 1944 Ship Number: 615 Target: Cologne Time In Air: 8 Hrs. Remarks: Moderate and inaccurate flak. Burglars in area but did not attack. Hit synthetic Oil Plant. Mission Number: Thirteen Date: Oct. 5, 1944 Ship Number: 8000 Target: Cologne Time In Air: 8 Hrs. Remarks: Two runs on target. Flak very intense and accurate. Received flak for very long period. One of our ships went down. Mission Number: Fourteen Date: Oct. 6, 1944 Ship Number: 615 Target: Stettin Time In Air: 9 Hrs. 30 Min. Remarks: Meager and inaccurate flak. Hit airfield and done away with it. Over water most the time. Long way home, Listened to Berlin (SAL) on way home. Mission Number: Fifteen Date: Oct. 15, 1944 Ship Number: 007 Target: Cologne Time In Air: 7 Hrs. Remarks: My first lead. Intense but inaccurate flac over target. One ship went down over Rhine River. One Parachute opened. Do not know about others. Temp 65 below Mission Number: Sixteen Date: Oct. 18, 1944 Ship Number: 008 Target: Cologne Time In Air: 7 Hrs. Remarks: Moderate and accurate flak. Deputy Lead in low sq. Took over on bomb run. Kinda cold -50 below. Navigator wounded, Hit on the arm. Mission Number: Seventeen Date: Oct. 19, 1944 Ship Number: 824 Target: Mannheim Time In Air: 7 Hrs. Remarks: Intense and accurate flak. Flew Dep. In lead sq. Took over at IP. And made run. Mission Number: Eighteen Date: Oct. 30, 1944 Ship Number: 661 Target: HAMM Time In Air: 7 Hrs. 30 Min. Remarks: Moderate and inaccurate flak. Flew D.L. in low Sq. Temp. was 47 below. Mission Number: Nineteen Date: Nov. 2, 1944 Ship Number: 016 Target: Duisburg, (Rheine) Time In Air: 7 Hrs. 30 Min. Remarks: Moderate and accurate flak. Lead in H Sq. Did not bomb primary but wiped Rheine off the map. Few fighters, trigger happy waistgunner gave P-47 hard time. Thought it was a FW190. Mission Number: Twenty Date: Nov. 4, 1944 Ship Number: 125 Target: Essen Time In Air: 7 Hrs. Remarks: Intense and inaccurate flak. D.L. in Lead Sq. took over at IP and G.H. run. Mission Number:Twenty-one Date: Nov. 5, 1944 Ship Number: 661 Target: Frankfurt Time In Air: 8 Hrs. 15 Min. Remarks: Intense and accurate flak. Flew lead in high sq. came back over France and Belgium at very low altitude. Looked in at second story windows and figured we were kinda low. Had to pull up over church steeples. Paddled back across the channel. Mission Number: Twenty-two Date: Nov.10, 1944 Ship Number: 401 Target: Cologne Time In Air: 7 Hrs. 40 Min. Remarks: Moderate and very accurate flak. Lead in high sq. Feathered No. 3 Flac hit oil cooler and we lost our oil. Mission Number: Twenty-Three Date: Nov. 20, 1944 Ship Number: 016 Target: Gelsenkirchen Time In Air: 8 Hrs. Remarks: Meager flak D.L. in Lead sq. Very poor weather. 5 minutes before target, had a run away prop and finally feathered it due to vibration. At 29,000 ft. we could not climb and lost our formation. Came back alone. Fighters . Temp. was very low but things got hot in a hurry. Mission Number: Twenty-Four Date: Nov. 25, 1944 Ship Number: 401 Target: Merseburg Time In Air: 8 Hrs. 30 Min. Remarks: Intense but inaccurate flak. Field was closed in so we landed at Aldermaston Lead in Low Sq. Mission Number: Twenty-Five Date: Nov. 29, 1944 Ship Number: (016) 216 Target: Hanover Time In Air: 8 Hrs. Remarks: Moderate and accurate flak. Took off in 016 but lost No. 2 eng. Landed and took off in 216. Fighters Mission Number: Twenty-Six Date: Dec. 2, 1944 Ship Number: 824 Target: Koblenz Time In Air: 8 Hrs. Remarks: Meager and inaccurate flak. Made two runs, Lead in High Sq. Mission Number: Twenty-Seven Date: Dec.11, 1944 Ship Number: 824 Target: Mannheim Time In Air: 8 Hrs. Remarks: Moderate but inaccurate flak. Deputy in Lead Sq. Mission Number: Twenty-Eight Date: Jan. 1, 1945 Ship Number: 401 Target: Kassel (oh!!!) Time In Air: 9 Hrs 30 Min. Remarks: Started new year right. Flak all the way in and all way out. (The Big Tour Of Germany) Fla was intense to unbearable (master sergeants must have been commissioned or something) Waste Gunner hit but was saved by flak suit. Really blasted the target. Lead in low sq. Lost three ships. Fighters in area but did not come in. Mission Number:Twenty-Nine Date: Jan 20, 1945 Ship Number: 401 Target: Mannheim Time In Air: 8 Hrs. Remarks: Very little flac. No fighters. Bad weather. Landed at RAF base. Mission Number: Thirty Date: Feb. 9, 1945 Ship Number: 850 Target: Eaford Time In Air: 9 Hrs. 15 Min. Remarks: No fighters, moderate and accurate flak. Felt pretty good. " This was the one I pulled the other twenty-nine for, And Now - Oh-Ya-Kid" Any Comments Please send to bullpacker@hotmail.com Monday, June 28th 2004 - 06:25:57 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Jack E-mail address: jspear@direcway.com Comments: Hello, I am the nephew of Ssgt John Plotz who was a waist gunner assigned to the 384thBG - 546 Squadron. The crew was lead by Lt. M.H.Reid. Their regular aircraft was a B-17F (s/n 42-29723)..named "Wolf Pack". On 3/9/44, they were assigned a borrowed plane B-17G (s/n 42-37781) "Silver Dollar". Their mission that day was over Berlin. A bomb dropped from another plane above them.. hit the Silver Dollar and blew the tail off the aircraft. Uncle John and the ball turret gunner were the only crew to escape. The rest of the crew perished with the aircraft. I was able to take him to the 384th reunion in St Louis several years ago... it was so memorable for him !!!! Uncle John has told me stories of the crew and their missions. Some amazing stuff!!! It would be interesting to know what happened to their regular plane.. I know it was transferred to the 94th BG in early 1944. But I cannot trace it from their. It would be great closure for him to know the fate of "Wolf Pack" Jack Saturday, June 26th 2004 - 11:13:12 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Russ Morton E-mail address: Russell50@bellsouth.net Comments: My father A.C. Morton (SSGT)from Dallas Texas, served with the 384th. I was able to take him on a trip to England on the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994. We stayed in London, but took days of trips to the American Cemetary in Cambridge, and we actually went to what was left of the Base at Grafton-Underwood among others. The farmer there let us walk out to the Huts (quarters and briefing rooms etc) which remain and then we walked out to what was left of the airstrip. He just looked up in the sky like he expected planes to fly over. I was glad to see the base, the church and village and the monument. Most of all was glad to take the trip, as he died of cancer shortly after returning. Saturday, June 19th 2004 - 01:26:35 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Jane Keith E-mail address: jayhawkjane@hotmail.com Comments: I am looking for anyone who knows how to contact Francis R. Condon, from the WWII 545th Squadron, 384th Bomb Group (H), when the plane they were on, The "Dark Angel" went down on 17 March 1945 to ask about my Uncle Vernon Cooksey. If anyone knows how I can get in touch with Mr. Condon please e.mail me. Thank you. Jane Keith Friday, June 18th 2004 - 01:34:15 PM Name: Lloyd Whitlow E-mail address: FLYNHI747@msn.com Comments: JUST CHECKING Sunday, June 13th 2004 - 12:03:47 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Lloyd Whitlow E-mail address: FLYNHI747@msn.com Comments: As many have mentioned the 384th is still keeping the "SHOW ON THE ROAD". The 384th schedules a Reunion each two years on the even year. For 2004 the Reunion will take place formally on the Holland America Cruise Ship, Oosterdam for a round trip cruise from Seattle, Washington to Alaska. The affair will start at the Sixth Avenue Inn, Seattle on Sept. 9th, 2004. The 384th has also had nine Reunions in England, usually on an odd year, these are called Memorial Junkets. There is the possibility of a 10th Memorial Junket for either 2005 or in place of the normally Reunion for 2006. For information on any of the Memorial Junkets or Reunions contact me on FLYNHI747@msn.com. Lloyd Whitlow, President, Board of Directors, 384th Bomb Group Ass. Sunday, June 13th 2004 - 11:58:45 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Win Jackson E-mail address: winjackiii@aol.com Homepage URL: http://winjack3.com/wwII.html Comments: Check out http://winjack3.com/wwII.html. Thirty new photos of B-17s and aircrew just added this past weekend. Now contains over 130 photos of 384th Bomb Group related photos. Several of the 30 new photos have never been published. Win Jackson Tuesday, June 8th 2004 - 08:19:29 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Jess Richey E-mail address: jlr98513@aol.com Comments: On the message below I forgot to put my cousin's name. He was SSGT Charles V.Richey the waist gunner on LT.Swanks crew. Jess Richey Tuesday, June 1st 2004 - 07:54:22 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Jess Richey E-mail address: jlr98513@aol.com Comments: I want to remember my first cousin who was lost with LT Swank's crew on Aug 12,1943,flying a mission to Gelsenkurchen in 42- 5806.on this Memorial day.Five of the crew bailed out and were POWs the other five were KIA. I recently talked to SGT Kosse on the phone and e-mailed with Sgt J D Martin who stayed in the air force and retired as a Chief Master Sgt. Regards JessRichey retired USAF Master Sgt B-29 Flight Engineer Sunday, May 30th 2004 - 10:47:51 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Jess Richey E-mail address: jlr98513@aol.com Comments: wish to remember my first cousin SSgt Charles v.Richey on this Memorial Day who was waist Gunner on on LT.Swanks crew.They were shot down on their fourth mission to Gelsenkurchin.Aug 12,1943 in 42-5806.Four crew members died the other six bailed out and were POWs.Recently talked to Sgt Kosse on the phone and e-mailed with J D Martin.He stayed in the air force and retired as a Chief Master Sgt. Regards Jess Richey retired USAF M/Sgt Sunday, May 30th 2004 - 08:42:49 AM ------------------------------------- Name: John Degrange E-mail address: degrangeuk@yahoo.co.uk Comments: Beyond the steeple, by the woods the Hips and Poppies grow where a thousand charging Cyclones roared 50 years ago. The young men then return, now old,the dead they are yet young, the silence of the field ignores the lonely Skylarks song. Etc. John Degrange. ( Tribute to 384 th. ) Newbold Verdon, England. Friday, May 28th 2004 - 03:57:31 AM ------------------------------------- Name: William Robert Adameit E-mail address: wlrtadmet@hotmail.com Comments: My father, Staff Sargent Robert Carl Adameit served 37 missions as lower ball turrent gunner on the Sleepy Lagoon, home stationed at Grafton Underwood, England. How do I go about getting his name on your roster of personel. Wednesday, May 26th 2004 - 02:00:52 PM ------------------------------------- Name: steve arietta E-mail address: steviewonder2002@hotmail.com Comments: ;looking for information on James W bradford jr,member of the 384th BG 547th Sqn.Was a co pilot 1944 to 1945.I would like to know if any one has the planes name , number he flew and who the pilot was of the plane was.I have picture of him with a "charlie" and "jim",plus crew pictures,and want to find out some information on these air corp veterans.WHY? because i will sending pics to the friends of the 8th and would like some info if possible to include with the pictures.email.steviewonder2002@hotmail.com or 707 571 4422 phone number.thanks steve Sunday, May 23rd 2004 - 11:54:38 AM Name: steve arietta E-mail address: steviewonder2002 Sunday, May 23rd 2004 - 11:42:38 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Rudy Froeschle E-mail address: rudyjudy@comcast.net Comments: Just checking in on May 22, 2004. Four members of our crew are still alive. We were shot down on Sept. 6, 1943 on the Stuttgart mission. I was co-pilot, and navigator, L.E. Shackelford is still alive as is the engineer, Bob Stahlhut and tail gunner John Kemp. Anyone else shot down on Sept. 6 please touch base with me. Saturday, May 22nd 2004 - 10:58:49 AM ------------------------------------- Name: John Grimaldi E-mail address: Grimaldi@magpage.com Comments: I am looking to buy a copy of the book "AS BRIEFED" by Walter E. Owens. My late brother Tony, a navigator on Crew number 10, is mentioned in the book. If anyone has information on acquiring a copy please let me know. I want to pass it on to Tony's children. Thank you and God Bless. Wednesday, May 19th 2004 - 12:26:17 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Simon Frost E-mail address: shf23@econ.cam.ac.uk Comments: I'm looking for any information relating to the loss of B-17Gs 42-102442 and 44-6147 which were lost in a mid-air collision near Haverill, Suffolk. The pilots of each aircraft were Lt. Earl Anderson and Lt. Donald Bagby. If you have any information or recollections about this incident I would be extremely grateful to hear from you. Best wishes, Simon Wednesday, May 12th 2004 - 02:00:56 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Richard Barrett Jr. E-mail address: Rickobar@Aol.com Comments: I am looking for information on my Father's Plane. I have no name, Serial#, or nose art to refer to. He was T/sgt Richard J. Barrett, stationed at Grafton Underwood with the 545th. I have some info on him, but I am most interested in plane information right now. But ANYTHING will be helpful. I am a grown adult and never really "Knew" my father, so any part of the truth is sought. God bless all those who have served, and continue to serve to keep our nation free. Saturday, April 17th 2004 - 12:52:12 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Nikoe Roberts E-mail address: nikoles1974@aol.com Comments: Hello, I am looking for any info on the b-17 marauders in the raid of Bremen. I would like to know the names of the planes and the locations of where they were shot down at. My grandfather was part of this raid his name was Lawrence Lord, please email me if you have any info on this raid Friday, March 26th 2004 - 09:41:19 PM ------------------------------------- Name: WilliamLiket E-mail address: william.liket@pandora.be Comments: Hello, i am from belgium and search about information and pictures about the B17g serialnr 44-6512 who crashed in Belgium on 16 nov. 1944,pilot Donald G Springsted. also i'm lookin for pictures of gmc cckw trucks of G-U airbase( i want to paint my gmc in the markings of G-U) This is a great site,keep on the good work. Thanks in advance! Saturday, March 20th 2004 - 03:15:46 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Win Jackson E-mail address: winjack3@sbcglobal.net Comments: Just added over 60 photos to my 384th BG web site located at: http://winjack3.com/wwII.html Would appreciate scholarly critiques of the result. Thanks in advance, Win Jackson Monday, March 8th 2004 - 05:27:47 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Asher Nicholson E-mail address: nnicholson2@comcast.net Homepage URL: http://www.comcast.net/home Comments: I am the Grandson of Gilbert O. Nicholson, I am already in your dreambook but I never received a reply because my email has changed. Please email me with anything you know or might know about the information in my previous message I sent in Jan. 2003. That message told how my grandfather could have been the youngest commissioned pilot in World War II. They called him "junior." Thank you for your help or if you already tried to email me and i never got it. Sunday, February 29th 2004 - 02:24:57 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Marc Smilen E-mail address: waritems86@yahoo.com Comments: Here's my posting at the Hell's Angel's bomb-group website: I'm a collector of old war diaries and war letters. I just Acquired the 1943-1944 handwritten war diary of Walter Sweetman, who was a mechanic with one of the Air Service Squadrons. Sweetman was with the 390th Bomb Group. The diary of Sweetman is about 30 pages. Some interesting stuff. He says one plane came back from a bombing raid all shot to hell, the radio operator, turret gunner, and tail gunner, all dead. And Sweetman wrote in his diary that they never cleaned out the plane after they took the bodies out. And the plane stunk of their remains when he had to go make repairs on the aircraft. Did Any of you serve with Walter Sweetman? In civilian life, he was an elevator engineer. Thursday, February 26th 2004 - 10:22:54 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Marc Smilen E-mail address: waritems86@yahoo.com Comments: Here's my entry that I posted to another WWII website: Looking to hear from WWII servicemen who served with William Jens and Stewart Love. Also from any relatives of them. They were shot down over Germany. Stewart Love was the bombadier and the only survivor from that wreck. I collect WWII letters and diaries, and just acquired the letters received by Lt. Jen's girlfriend from Lt. Jen's mother. His mother relayed to his girlfriend the details of the plane going down. Mrs. Jens quotes in her letter what was told to her in a letter sent to her by bombadier Stewart Love. And apparently Lt. Jens was buried in a municipal German cemetary according to the US government, which told Mrs. Jens that they learned of the burial thru captured German documents. It's quite an interesting batch of letters. I wish to learn more about these two men. a side note: Lieutenant William F. Jen's girlfriend was a Letty Jane Luckman. August 28, 2003 00:04:10 (GMT Time) Thursday, February 26th 2004 - 10:18:13 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Drew Boles E-mail address: dboles Comments: My father was co-pilot of the Damn Yankee assigned to 384th BG and 545th squadron group...His plane was shot down over Belgium 12/1/43 returning from a bombing raid ... Signed : Drew Boles dboles@cfw.com Wednesday, February 25th 2004 - 10:11:25 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Larney M McGrath E-mail address: larney@adelphia.net Comments: I am the son in law of the late SSgt(T)Winston (Bud)E. Riley He passed away the 6 of February....As a 30 years airmen myself I have guarded the books,photos and manuals I have found...I have been allowed to keep most that I have found in cleaning up his home....I have about 30 photos of the times with the birds in England....From I can find it appears Dad was there from Apr-Jun 43 to Sep 45...One of the birds he flew with was the "White Angel" A B-17G I have a photo of him standing in front of it....None of the pictures I have have any information with them....The only way I know about them is the Nose Art.... Wednesday, February 25th 2004 - 07:39:47 AM Name: Larney M McGrath E-mail address: larney Wednesday, February 25th 2004 - 07:26:05 AM ------------------------------------- Name: marc smilen E-mail address: warpaper86@yahoo.com Comments: [sorry: made a few spelling corrections] Hello: Im a collector of war letters, war diarys, and war photos. I just acquired an original war era crew photo of bomber #42-31042, which crashed over Bremen on nov 26, 1943. Agus L. Newman: Armor (Tennessee); Roland W. Parsons: Asst. Radio (Penn); Walter J. Lazarz: 1st. Radio (Mass); Lennon C. Ligenby: Asst. Engineer (GA); James H Winfree: Engineer (NC); Juian Britt: Asst. Armor (NC); LT John B. Holland: Pilot (Texas); LT. Frank Procopio: Co-Pilot (NY); Lt. Charles T. East: Navigator (Texas); Lt. Thomas G. Witt: Bombadier (Fl) Supposedly East died, and the others were POWs. Anybody have any more info????? Also I acquired the diary of Ground-crew mechanic Walter Sweetman!! I forget which service Depot he was with; Id have to look it up Wednesday, February 18th 2004 - 07:22:12 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Ric E-mail address: Ettlafeet@msn.com Comments: Hello, I am looking for as much information that I can find on my wifes Uncle that was a wing gunner on this Aircraft that was last, do you think you would be able to help us? MIA on March 19, 1945, mission to Plauen, Germany, aboard B-17G 44-8008. Aircraft was last observed on return from mission over Ostende, Belgium, at 11,000 ft. at 1655 h., under control. No information is available that it was in some kind of distress. Since no crew member was ever recovered, the plane and crew will have gone down in the North Sea for some unknown reason. MACR 13566. Thank you Ric & Kathy Saturday, February 14th 2004 - 06:59:58 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Fred Holdrege E-mail address: f1holdrege@aol.com Homepage URL: http://fred790.tripod.com/welcome.htm Comments: I am trying to help the daughter of Robert Joseph Fanning find information about her father. He was in B-17s at Gowan and I think that he was probably in the 384th. He was shot down and was a POW He was a POW for 18 months. Thursday, January 29th 2004 - 02:26:00 PM ------------------------------------- Name: suza E-mail address: artsuza@hotmail.com Homepage URL: http://www.ahsuza.com Comments: For great B-17 and B-24 pictures, information, and free beer tomorrow check out www.b17sam.com Thursday, January 29th 2004 - 07:18:40 AM ------------------------------------- Name: Tony E-mail address: sqwak.chick@btinternet.com Comments: marc very long time no hear, you still alive????????? Tuesday, January 27th 2004 - 12:10:47 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Jean Paul FAVRAIS E-mail address: jeanpaulfavrais1@aol.com Comments: Congratulation for your great Site Thank you for all the veterans. For all this sacrifices sorry for my bad english jp favrais Monday, January 26th 2004 - 01:09:07 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Debby Zink E-mail address: commetdusty1@juno.com Comments: I would like to submit picture for my dad's original crew in Little America b17. He is still alive and I would like to get his crew listed on this site for him. He was a tail gunner in the 384th group-546 squadron. He flew 25 missions. The first 7 in Little America, and then on with others. I am so happy to have found this site. I think it is the greatest thing to honor the men that went through all they did- for our freedom. Thank-you for it!!! Tuesday, January 20th 2004 - 02:55:24 PM ------------------------------------- Name: MAJ Joel S. Johnston E-mail address: joel@olarmyjoel.com Homepage URL: http://olarmyjoel.com Comments: Howdy, My name is Major Joel S. Johnston of the US Army. I am currently stationed in Germany. My uncle, Larry Johnston was the bombadier of the Jolly Roger, B17F # 42-3459, and shot down over France on 23 SEP 43. Uncle Larry died a couple of years ago, but his stories are fresh in my mind. He was a POW in a Stalag on the Baltic and I think it was Estonia. He had over 80 small shrappnel holes in him when a 20 mm came though the nose and exploded on the bomb sight. The Free French were the first to find him, but he told them to leave him for the Germans because he knew he would die of infection. My uncle Larry was a modest man and never had anything bad to say about the Germans because they saved his life. Now, exactly 60 years later, I am here in Germany, speaking German and drinking beer with his former enemies. Unlike America, in Germany, WWII happened yesterday. I thank God for brave men like Uncle Larry and his fellow airmen. They saved the world from tyranny and paid for it with their blood. Thursday, January 8th 2004 - 01:16:33 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Carol Cole Renfro E-mail address: carol_renfro@hotmail.comm Comments: Greetings! My father, Howard W. Cole, served as co-pilot and pilot of a B-17 flying out of Grafton-Underwood. His training was at Williams Field, Arizona. I have seen on various sites that many men at GU received their training at Wendover. I have found very little on Williams. Am I missing a website that covers that base? I have his "yearbook" from there that contains photos of his class and many others done in a clever movie- advertisement style, tongue in cheek, I guess, and a few other things from there. Does this strike a chord with anyone? Any assistance would be appreciated. My regards and deepest respect to all veterans. Carol Sunday, January 4th 2004 - 08:14:51 PM ------------------------------------- Name: Andy Fisher E-mail address: shandyfishers@yahoo.com Comments: My father, T/Sgt Arthur Alvin (Al) Fisher was a bombardier with the 545th. He passed away 12 years ago. He would have loved this site. I have a summary of the 30 missions he flew between April and August 1944 as well as some photos including one of his crew. I only know one of the B-17's he flew on was the "Swiss Miss". Love to hear from anyone who served with him, has any info on crew or plane, or is interested in my info. Thank you. Sunday, January 4th 2004 - 06:46:13 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of 384th Bomb Group Log Book 2004 ARCHIVE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |