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From: Alex
Hamilton, [mailto:hmh43@btinternet.com]
Sent:
Saturday, December 04, 2004 6:42 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Charles L.
Brown
Dear Sir
I am searching for some
information that I believe you may be able to
help me with, but am not too sure. Please let me
explain. I am an aviation artist in England, and
have been commissioned to paint an event that is
featured in a book called"Forever Remembered" by
Irv Broughton. This tells of the experience of
Charles L.(Charlie) Brown through personal
interview, of his mission to Bremen on December
20th 1943. in short, he and his crew in their
B17 were severely damaged and had a Luftwaffe
fighter formate on them. After the war he found
out the name of this German pilot and was in
friendly contact with him at the time the book
was published in 2001.
If you have the
gentleman in question on your membership list, I
would dearly like to ask his permission to
attempt this painting, and to get the facts of
the action accurate. I am basically after the
following information: Was the aircraft a B-17 F
or G Did it carry olive drab or natural finish
Concerning the aircraft markings, can you tell
me what bomb squadron he flew (WA? or FR?) the
'plane-in-squadron' letter, and the serial
number. What was the name of the aircraft.
It is mentioned that his tail gunner was
Hugh Eckenrode, and radio op. was Dick Pechout.
I think they force landed at Seething air base.
I would so appreciate any information you can
give me with regards to this project, and thank
you in anticipation for your time and trouble.
May I take this opportunity to pass my
sincere best wishes to all your members, whether
they be ex aircrew, families thereof, or
interested and appreciative people such as
myself.
Kind Regards,
Alex Hamilton
Alex,
Lt Charles Brown,
Pilot, was in the 379th
Bombardment Group and flew
missions with the 527 Bomb
Squadron from 12/13/43 to
4/11/44. The following are
the crew and their positions
on their mission to Bremen,
Germany 12/20/43 in aircraft
42-3167 (FO-S) “Ye Old Pub”.
Brown, Charles L, 2nd Lt,
Pilot
Luke, Spencer G,
2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Sadok,
Albert (NMI), 2nd Lt,
Navigator
Andrews, Robert
M, 2nd Lt, Bombardier
Pechout, Richard A, S/Sgt,
Radio Operator/Gunner
Coulombe, Bertrand O, S/Sgt,
Top Turret Gunner
Blackford, Samuel W, Sgt,
Ball Turret Gunner
Jennings, Lloyd H, Sgt, Right
Waist Gunner
Yelesanke,
Alex (NMI), Sgt, Left Waist
Gunner
Eckenrode, Hugh S,
S /Sgt, Tail Gunner, KIA
Charles L Brown and
Robert M Andrews are shown on
the current Association
roster. There is a painting
of the aircraft by Michael
Wooten called “The Gallant
Foe”. The aircraft was olive
drab in color. In order to
protect the privacy of our
membership, it is our policy
not to post their personal
information on the Internet.
Responding4 12/05/04
Mike
Search No. 1239 - Frank Neu
From: Chris Kahlke, ckahlke@mktginc.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 6:22 PM
Subject: looking for info on my grandfather
I am seeking info on my
grandfather Frank Neu from Long Island New York.
My grandmother is fairly tight lipped about what
happened to him, she still seems pained when
reminded of it. From what she has told me and my
mother, his plane had been shot down and he was
taken as a POW. After that my grandmother
mentioned that he was killed while he was a POW.
In searching the internet I found a Frank A. Neu
who on Nov 30,1944, in aircraft 42-31597,
nicknamed "Landa", was shot down and he was
taken as a POW. Do you have any other
information about him? I found this info at the
following website :
http://www.dvrbs.com/CamdenWW2-GeorgeMcClellan.htm.
I have found this
website fascinating, and want to thank you in
advance for any information you can provide me.
Chris Kahlke
Chris,
Association records
for Frank Neu show he flew 24
missions with the 527th SQ
from July 4, 1944 to November
1, 1944. Our records indicate
mission numbers 158, 196, 197
(recalled), 198, 200, 203,
205, 208, 209, 211, 214, 216,
220, 222, 224, 225, 228, 229,
234, 235, 238, 241, 243, 244
and 245. It is possible he
flew more missions, but these
are the ones shown in our
records.
On the
November 30, 1944 mission
(#245) to Zeitz, Germany,
aircraft 42-31597 "Landa" was
hit over the target, leaving
engines #1 and #2 on fire.
According to available
records, the aircraft left
the formation under control,
and 9 chutes were seen
leaving the aircraft. Our
records show George McClellan
and Frank Neu as KIA,
although as your link to the
WW2 Memorial suggests, they
may have been taken POW and
died of injuries. Crew
members on this mission were
as follows:
Conroy,
John M, 2nd Lt, Pilot, POW
Fox, Milton S, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot, POW
McClellan,
George A, 2nd Lt, Bombardier,
KIA
Neu, Frank A, Tech
Sgt, Togglier, KIA
Gershenbaum, Nathan, Tech
Sgt, R Op, Evaded
Seeger,
Ernest G, Tech Sgt, Eng/TT,
POW
Kelley, Patrick J,
Staff Sgt, BallTurret, POW
Evanson, Elmer R, Staff Sgt,
Waist, POW
Butterfield,
Jack V, Staff Sgt, Tail, POW
Milton Fox is on our
current association roster.
Responding 4 11/29/2004
Kent
Search No. 1238 - Johnie
Washington Harris
From: M & S
Bland, simaz@blandini.fsnet.co.uk
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sunday, November
28, 2004 2:46 PM
Subject: Searching for my
Grandfather
Hi,
I am currently
trying to trace information about my Grandfather
and at the moment have very limited information
to go on. His name (I am led to believe) is
Johnie Washington Harris. He served at Bovingdon
during WW2. He may have had the ranking of
Sergeant and was returned to the USA after an
accident in a military jeep type vehicle,
possibly before May 1944. I am trying to
establish whether or not he was in the 379th
Bomber Group. Can you help me on this one?
Many thanks.
Marie Bland
Marie -
Sorry, we have no
record of a Johnie Washington
Harris serving with the 379th
Bomb Group. Since you
mentioned your Grandfather
served at Bovingdon, a little
research turned up the
following, taken from the
book "Airfields of the Eighth
- Then and Now". This book
was published by After the
Battle magazine, with text by
Roger Freeman, the well known
8th Air Force historian and
author. The information is as
follows:
"The 92nd
Bomb Group arrived at
Bovingdon in August 1942 and
was shortly assigned the role
of a B-17 Combat Crew
Replacement Unit (CCRC).
Early in January (1943), the
92nd transferred to Alconbury
where it eventually re-formed
as a combat group. A portion
of the personnel, and B-17Es,
remained at Bovingdon as the
nucleus of the 11th CCRC and
most combat crews of other
bomber units arriving in
Britain during the next two
years received theatre
indoctrination at this
station."
Based on the
May 1944 return date, it is
possible your grandfather was
assigned to this CCRC at
Bovingdon. You might try
additional research at the
92nd Bomb Group site,
www.92ndma.org, or a broader
search via the forums that
can be found at
www.armyairforces.com.
Good luck with your
research.
Responding 4
11/28/04
Kent
Search No. 1237 - Sgt. Chester Barton
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From: "John Holland"
<JohnHolland@webtv.net>
To:
<looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Friday,
November 26, 2004 7:11 PM
Subject: Sgt.
Chester Barton
Dear Sir:
My uncle Sgt.
Chester Barton flew with the B-25C planes. He
was in the 379th Bomb Squad. 310th Bomb Grp. he
was shot down and died of wounds over, Corvino
Airdome, Italy, July 20,1943. Others in the
plane were Robert L. Harrop, Carl N. Speidel,
Gilbert F. Henderson, Joseph L. Beaty. MACR 249
B-25C #42-64597 430720 There were 3 survivors of
the second aircraft, I was written to about!
Would like to locate them or any others that
knew my Uncle Chester! Or if you may have
pictures of him and the crew! He was suppose to
be a Gunner, of some type! If you have any
information, or anything please contact me!
He was trained out of Columbia, S.C. born in
Worthington, Indiana.
Hope to hear from all
of this group!!!
Thanks Alot,
Judy
Holland:
Judy -
The 379th
Bomb Group (Heavy) was an 8th Air Force group,
flying B-17 aircraft out of Kimbolton, England.
The 379th Bomb Squadron flew B-25s, and was
assigned to the 310th Bomb Group (Medium) based
in Italy. Accordingly, the 379th Bomb Group has
no information on Sgt. Chester Barton.
A
web search turned up the following link:
www.web-birds.com/12th/310th/310th, which is
devoted to the 310th Bomb Group, and may provide
useful information. Also, www.armyairforces.com
is a good source for information on all bomb
groups, and may provide links to other sites and
forums.
Good luck with your research.
Responding 4 11/26/04
Kent
Search No. 1236 - Thomas J.
Hennessey
From: "James
Hennessey" <ND-JimHennessey@webtv.net>
To:
<looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Thursday,
November 25, 2004 7:44 PM
Subject: My Brother
My brother-T/Sgt.Thomas J Hennessey was a
crew member on B17(The Vulture)Do you have any
data on him?
Thank You--Jim Hennessey
Jim -
Sorry, we show no record of a Thomas J.
Hennessey serving with the 379th Bomb Group.
However, a quick check for aircraft named "The
Vulture" finds that aircraft was assigned to the
390th Bomb Group. Their web site can be found at
www.390th.org. By following their Research tool,
followed by a search by "Crewmember Name",
Thomas J. Hennessey is listed with mission
records, including missions flown on aircraft
s/n 42-3472, "The Vulture".
Good luck
with your research.
Responding 4 11/26/04
Kent
Search No. 1235 - Norman S. Peck Jr.
From: Megan Peck
<MgnPeck@aol.com>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 5:01 PM
Subject: I am looking for information about my
grandfather...
Hello,
My name is Megan
Peck and I am looking for information about my
grandfather, Norman S. Peck Jr. He was born in
1922 and he entered WW II in 1942. Any
information you can tell me is greatly
apreciated.
Sincerely,
Megan Peck
Megan-
Sorry, we
currently show no record of a Norman S. Peck Jr.
serving with the 379th Bomb Group. It would be
helpful If you could provide us more information
about your grandfather. Date of Service, time he
may have been at Kimbolton, etc. Any additional
information would be useful.
Responding 4
11/25/04
Kent
Search No. 1234 - Captain James V
Edwards
From: Tiffany
Sutton, tryanglek@hotmail.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sunday, November
21, 2004 1:05 PM
Subject: Captian James V
Edwards
Hello,
I am the
granddaughter of Captian Edwards and I am
looking for any information you could provide
regarding his time during service with the 8th
Airforce.Where he was stationed, missions he
flew, servicemen he flew with, anything you
might find will be greatly appreciated. All I
know is that he flew B-17's in the Triangle K
Squadron somewhere in England.
Thank you,
Tiffany Sutton
Tiffany,
James V. Edwards flew as co-pilot
with the 379th Bomb Group (Heavy), based at
Kimbolton, England. The Group operated B-17
aircraft out of Kimbolton between May 1943 and
April 1945.
Association records for James
V. Edwards show he flew 21 missions with the
525th SQ from December 13, 1943 to March 16,
1944. Our records indicate mission numbers 48,
52, 53, 55, 56, 60, 62, 63, 64, 66, 68, 69, 72,
73, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, and 82. Note our
records also indicate participation in Missions
54 and 76, although Lt. Edwards may not have
received official credit for these two (54 was
listed as aborted, 76 as recalled). There is a
possibility he may have flown more missions than
this, but our records show only the ones listed
here. Crew members on mission #48 were as
follows:
Baldwin, Robert B, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Edwards, James V, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Loflin,
Harry C, 2nd Lt, Navigator
Napoli, Joseph G,
2nd Lt, Bombardier
Hislop, Colonel D, St Sgt,
R Op/Gunner
Shaffer, Cecil R, St Sgt, TT
Gunner
Weber Jr., Lloyd E, Sgt, BT Gunner
Reposh, Joseph, St Sgt, RW Gunner
Bryant,
Tommie J, Sgt, LW Gunner
Mewes, Warren L,
Sgt, Tail Gunner
Tommy Bryant is on our
current association roster.
Responding 4
11/21/2004
Kent
Search No. 1233 - looking for
pictures 42-3099
From: DAVID LAMB,
RADDOX@MSN.COM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Thursday,
November 18, 2004 5:06 AM
Subject: looking for
pictures 42-3099
I am looking for any
pictures of the crew or plane 42-3099. they were
shot down on the first mission they flew. The
pilot, William Pinson was the only survivor and
was a POW. Any info on possible pictures of
plane or crew is appreciated
DR LAMB
David -
Sorry, we know of no photographs of
airplane s/n 42-3099.
Responding 4
11/19/04
Kent
Search No. 1232 - James Bruce King
From: Robert King, rlking@swbell.net
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, November
15, 2004 8:13 PM
Subject: James Bruce King
I just joined the 379th BGA this month and
am wondering if you can help piece together a
few of my father's recollections. My father is
James Bruce King #18242254 stationed at
Kimbolton, 524th bomb squadron. He flew missions
from 6/28/1944 - 11/2/1944, 35 total and one
they didn't get credit for - to Caen on
8/8/1944. He remembered some of the crew
members' names, but mostly last names or
nicknames:
pilot - Bob Evans - Chicago
copilot - Richardson
navigator / bombardier -
Kramer
engineer / top turret - Kincaid -
Montana system engineer - Wooky -
Wisconsin
radio operator - Nelson - Chicago ball turret -
CJ Hattaway
- Georgia waist gunner right - ?
waist gunner left - ?
tail gunner - James B
King
I'm not sure if I was writing down
everything he told me correctly, so some of the
errors were likely my translation of his
comments. I noticed Hattaway on the Final
Mission Roster. Can you correct the missing or
incorrect info above and let me know if any of
these men are current or past members?
Also, I have placed an order for the Anthology,
hoping it would have specific types, names and
serial numbers of the bombers flown by this
crew, but haven't received it yet. Can you shed
any light on the specific aircraft flown on
these missions?
156,157,158,159,162,163,164,165,167,
173,174,175,178,179,184,185,186,188,
189,194,195,196,200,203,204,212,213,
215,216,217,219,221,222,226,229,230
My
father passed away November 3, 2003.
Regards,
Robert King
Robert,
We're sorry to hear of your Father's
passing. We will add his name to our Taps
roster.
Association records for James
Bruce King show he flew 37 missions with the
524th SQ from June 28, 1944 to November 2, 1944.
Our records indicate mission numbers 156, 157,
158, 159, 162, 163, 164, 165, 167, 172, 173,
174, 178, 179, 180 (listed as "spare", possible
abort?), 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 192 abort),
194, 195, 196, 197 (recalled), 200, 203, 204,
207 (abort), 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 219, 221,
222, 223 (abort), 226, 229, and 230. Crew
members on mission #156 were as follows:
Evans, Robert C, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Richardson,
Robert A, F/O, Co-Pilot
Cramer, Martin G, 2nd
Lt, Navigator
Smith, Phillip A, 2nd Lt,
Bombardier
Nelson, Alvin, Staff Sgt,
R/Op/Gunner
Kincaid, William R, Staff Sgt,
Engineer/Top Turret
Hattaway, Clinton J, Sgt,
Ball Turret Gunner
Wucki, Frank, Sgt, Waist
Gunner
King, James B, Sgt, Tail Gunner
None of these crew members are on our
current association roster. Records indicate
many of your Father's missions were flown on an
airplane named "Blue Blazing Blizzard", s/n
42-31720. Mission #216 was flown on "Hundred
Million Dollar Baby", s/n 43-37934 (photo sent
separately).
Responding 4 11/15/2004
Kent
Search No. 1231 - Robert Finan
From: Matt Fagan, DA900EXGUY@aol.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Saturday,
November 13, 2004 6:15 PM
Subject: Looking
for...
Greetings,
I am looking for
information that you may have on my Uncle,
Robert Finan. He served with the 379th, as a
tailgunner. I was looking for any additional
information on his history with the 379th that
may have. I have ordered the Anthology for him,
and would appreciate any other help you could
provide.
Matt Fagan
Matt,
Association records for Robert F. Finan
show he flew 35 missions with the 526th SQ from
July 17, 1944 to October 14, 1944. Our records
indicate mission numbers 167, 169, 170, 171,
172, 173, 174, 175, 178, 179, 180, 182, 183,
184, 185, 187, 189, 191, 193, 194, 195, 198,
199, 201, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 211, 213,
216, 218, 219, and 220. Crew members on mission
#220 were as follows:
Hess, Roland L,
Lieutenant, Pilot
Brockway, Lyle G,
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Rosenfeld, Marvin,
Lieutenant, Navigator
Spangle Jr., Weir J,
Lieutenant, Navigator-GEE
Evans, Monroe W,
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Wagner, Shirley K,
Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Soulies,
Robert C, Tech Sergeant,Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner
Bushey, Thomas C, Staff Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner
Worth, Harry M, Staff Sergeant,
Waist Gunner
Finan, Robert F, Staff Sergeant,
Tail Gunner
Lyle Brockway is on the
current association roster.
Responding 4
11/14/2004
Kent
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