From: Richard,
rj-smid@home.nl To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 1:55 PM
Subject: 42-29796 B-17F 527th Squadron 379th
Bomb Group
Dear Sir,
My name is
Richard and I live in The Netherlands. I am very
interested in the WWII Airwar over my Country
here in Holland. I am living not far away where
at 28th of july 1943 a B-17F was shotdown by a
Focke Wulf 190 of the Luftwaffe. I have find the
exact location where the B-17F was crashed, and
have find a lot of B-17 parts in a very good
condition. I have the following question :
I like to give some parts of this Aircraft
to 2/Lt. Reginald D. Kendall or Sgt. William T.
Mulcahy or S/Sgt. Arthur M. Sherman this three
crewmembers where the only survivers of this
crash in WWII. On your Final Mission Roster I
find the name of S/Sgt. Arthur M. Sherman
(Airgunner), do you know of he or the other two
crewmembers are still alive ?. I like to contact
them or the family from the crew of the
42-29796. I can send the family pictures of the
crashsite and send them some parts of this
B-17F. Can you help me fore more information or
other information about this crew and this
Aircraft ?.
Netherlands 28-07-1943 Target
: Kassel Germany 42-29796 B-17F 527th Squadron
379th Bomb Group based at Kimbolton
1/Lt.
Charles L. Taylor Jr. KIA 2/Lt. John Coniglio
KIA 2/Lt. Thomas V. Nash KIA T/Sgt.
Richard A. Howell KIA T/Sgt. Harry L. Dent
KIA S/Sgt. Joseph A. Kinney KIA S/Sgt.
Gilbert L. Widrick KIA 2/Lt. Reginald D.
Kendall Sgt. William T. Mulcahy S/Sgt.
Arthur M. Sherman
Kind Regards from The
Netherlands, Richard
Richard - Thank you for
your interest in the 379th
Bomb Group. We are happy to
be able to provide the
following information.
Association records indicate
that aircraft 42-29796
(Squadron Code FO-M) was
dispatched on July 28, 1943
to bomb the aircraft
components plants at
Kassel/Oschersleben, Germany.
This aircraft was listed as
Missing in Action following
the mission. Crew was as
follows:
Taylor Jr.,
Charles L, Lt, Pilot, KIA
Kendall, Reginald D, Lt,
Co-Pilot, POW Coniglio,
John (NMI), Lt, Nav, KIA
Nash, Thomas V, Lt, Bomb, KIA
Mulcahy, William T, Sgt,
Radio Op, POW Howell,
Richard A, TSgt, Top Turret,
KIA Kinney, Joseph A,
SSgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Dent, Harry L, Sgt, Right
Waist, KIA Sherman, Arthur
M, SSgt, Left Waist, POW
Widick, Gilbert L, SSgt,
Tail, KIA
Arthur
Sherman was a member of the
379th Bomb Group Association
until his death in 2003. His
widow is on our current
membership roster. Reginald
Kendall and William Mulcahy
were not Association members,
but we have been able to
locate the family of Lt.
Kendall. Your note will be
forwarded to both families
for any interest they may
have in the crash site photos
and parts. If you could
provide more details on the
parts you mention (size,
weight, etc.) it would be
helpful to pass along and to
determine whether the
Association might also be
interested.
This
response will be posted in
the "Looking 4" section of
our website, in case any
members have any additional
information.
Responding 4 11/5/2006
Kent
Search No. 1349 - Thomas P
Lyons
From: modica-amore leonard,
leo.modicaamore@swing.be
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 4:57 PM
Subject: Thoms P lyons
Hello,
I'm looking for informations about Thoms Plyons.
He's died 25 June 1943 in B17 42-29892. Pictures
and info. on crew and aeroplane are welcome.
Thanks a lot.
Sir - Association records for Thomas P Lyons
show he flew 3 missions as radio operator/gunner
with the 527th Squadron from June 11 to June 25,
1943. Our records show missions 2, 4, and 5. Sgt
Lyons may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we have in our records. Our
records show Sgt Lyons was flying on a/c
42-29892 on the June 25, 1943 mission to
Hamburg, Germany. This A/C was listed as Missing
in Action. Crew was as follows:
Groom,
Douglas K, Lt, Pilot, KIA Pulaski, Frank T,
Lt, Co-Pilot, KIA Bellmeyer, Arthur C, Lt,
Nav, POW Mortenson, Thomas S, Lt, Bomb, POW
Lyons, Thomas P, TSgt, Radio Op, KIA
Brinkman, Howard H, SSgt, Top Turret, POW
Mills, Frank A, SSgt, Ball Turret, KIA
Burzycki, Thaddeus Z, Sgt, Right Waist, KIA
Weaver, Ralph E, SSgt, Left Waist, POW
Bowers, James C, SSgt, Tail, POW
This
response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members have
any additional information. Sorry, we have no
photograph of this aircraft or crew.
Responding 4 10/19/2006 Kent
Search No. 1348 - Robert Romme
From: "Clifford
Romme" <cromme@yahoo.com> To:
<looking4@379thbga.org> Sent: Tuesday,
October 17, 2006 5:57 AM Subject: Robert
Romme - Cousin
I recently learned that my
cousin was part of the 379 He was killed on Jan
5, 1944. I found his grave in Cambridge last
week but do not know anything else - plane(s) he
flew on, role, etc. If you have any information
on where I might look, please let me know.
Thank you. Clifford R. Romme
Clifford -
Association records for Robert Romme show he
flew 14 missions as navigator with the 526th
Squadron from September 23, 1943 to January 5,
1944. Our records show missions 31, 33, 35, 36,
40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 51, 53, and 56. Lt.
Romme may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we have in our records.
Lt. Romme flew missions in a number of
different aircraft, including 42-29747,
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi II", 42-29997, "Sack",
42-29890, "Stupefier", 42-31093, "Deacons
Sinners", 42-29891, "Dangerous Dan", 42-5827,
"Lakanuki", 42-31043, "Elsie Mae", and others on
aircraft with no name. Of the above, we have
photos of "Stupefier" and "Dangerous Dan",
copies will be sent in separate e-mail.
Our records show Lt. Romme was the navigator on
a/c 42-37887 on the January 5, 1944 mission to
Kiel, Germany. This A/C crash landed at
Covington, England immediately after takeoff.
Crew was as follows:
Maresh, Wayne P,
F/O, Pilot, KIA Mailander, Frank L, Lt,
Co-Pilot, KIA Romme, Robert A, Lt, Nav, KIA
Cashatt, Burton W, Lt, Bomb, KIA Wilsey,
Orvis J, TSgt, Radio Op, KIA Williams,
Raymond, TSgt, Top Turret, KIA Mcgrew, Albert
N, Sgt, Ball Turret, KIA Cheramie, Maurice J,
SSgt, Right Waist, WIA Oneill, James, SSgt,
Left Waist, WIA Gentile, Jerry J, SSgt, Tail,
KIA
This response will be posted in the
"Looking 4" section of our website, in case any
members have any additional information.
Responding 4 10/19/2006 Kent
Search No. 1347 - Charles Ingraham
|
From: George
Bruckert, VPXB17@aol.com To:
<looking4@379thbga.org> Sent: Saturday,
September 02, 2006 8:55 PM Subject:
Information on my cousin Charles Ingraham
My 2nd cousin, Charles J. Ingraham, was a
navigator with the 379th. He was shot down in
November, 1944, I believe on a mission to Zeitz,
Germany. He is deceased now, as is his wife,
Marion, and we have lost touch with his son. I
am trying to get information on his service with
the 379th, such as what squadron he was with,
his aircraft, the date he was shot down, and any
surviving crew members. coud you possibly help
me?
George Bruckert
George -
Association records for Charles Ingraham show he
flew 25 missions as navigator with the 527th
Squadron from August 16 to November 30, 1944.
Our records show missions 190, 192, 196, 197,
198, 200, 201, 205, 208, 209, 211, 213, 220,
221, 222, 225, 226, 230, 234, 235, 237, 238,
239, 244, and 245. Lt. Ingraham may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
Our records show Lt.
Ingraham was the navigator on a/c 42-107014,
"Lucy" on the November 30, 1944 mission to
Zietz, Germany. This A/C was hit by flak prior
to target, loosing multiple engines. The crew
bailed out and were captured. Crew was as
follows:
Puckett, Robert D, 1st Lt,
Pilot, POW Childes, Donald M, 2nd Lt,
Co-Pilot, POW Ingraham Jr, Charles J, 2nd Lt,
Navigator, POW Reedy, George E, F/O,
Bombardier, POW Yriarte, Roman, TSgt, Radio
Op, POW Salley, Robert L, TSgt, Top Turret,
POW Hirschi, Alvin L, SSgt, Ball Turret, POW
Williams, Jarvis D, SSgt, Waist, POW
Tirapelli, Attilio S, SSgt, Tail, POW
Robert Puckett and Alvin Hirschi are on our
current Association roster. This response will
be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members have any additional
information. A photo of a/c 42-107014, "Lucy",
is attached, but the identity of the crew shown
in the photo is unknown. If you recognize Lt.
Ingraham in this photo, we would be grateful if
you would let us know.
Responding 4
9/17/2006 Kent
Search No. 1346 - George McHugh
From: wendy
Alexander, wenalexander@yahoo.com To:
looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Monday, September
04, 2006 11:47 AM Subject: Lt. George McHugh,
526th Squadron, 379th BGA
I am looking
for information on my Father's brother who was
shot down over Pont Pointe, France on June16,
1944. Lt. George McHugh. He was a bomber pilot
who was wounded but stayed with the plane to
avoid crashing into the town. He tried to crash
land in a field but was killed. I believe he was
the only casualty. He is considered a big hero
in Pont Pointe. I would love any info on the
list of survivors or his crewmen. I know that a
Sgt. Shaw of Elgin Texas survived as well as an
Edward I. Peterson. I have been unable to find
any other information on his service records due
to the 1973 fire in St. Louis. Do you have any
other suggestions on where I might look for his
official service records? Do you know if the
records for those killed were kept somewhere
else?
Sincerely, Wendy Alexander
Wendy - Association records for George McHugh
show he flew 31 missions as Pilot with the 526th
Squadron from March 26 to June 16, 1944. Our
records show missions 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95,
97, 98, 99, 100, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113,
115, 118, 119, 124, 126, 133, 135, 136, 137,
138, 139, 140, 142, 143, and 144. Lt. McHugh may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
On June
16, 1944, a/c 42-31648, "Ensign Mary", was hit
and set ablaze by flak over the target. Lt.
McHugh was able to stay with the formation until
after the bombs were dropped on the target, and
then put the aircraft into a dive to try to
extinguish the flames. After ordering the rest
of the crew to bail out, Lt. McHugh stayed at
the controls to maneuver the aircraft away from
the village of Pont Point, France, preventing
the airplane from crashing into homes in the
village. Lt. McHugh was killed when his aircraft
crashed in a field at the perimeter of the
village. A monument in his honor was built in
the center of the village, and a street was
named in his honor. A full account of this
incident is included in the 379th Bomb Group
Anthology, available from our PX.
Crew on
this mission was as follows:
McHugh
George, 1st Lt, P, KIA Peterson Edward I.,
2nd Lt, CP, Evaded Reese Robert D., 2nd Lt,
N, POW Atkinson Charles R., 2nd Lt, B, POW
Groat Russell J., T/SGT, RO, POW Tullier
Lester A., S/SGT, TT, KIA Shaw J. K. (IO),
S/SGT, BT, Evaded Thompson George, S/SGT, WG,
POW Little Bruce S., S/SGT, TG, POW
Sorry, none of the survivors are on our current
Association roster, and we do not have any
information on Lt. McHugh's service records.
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members have
any additional information.
Responding 4
9/17/2006 Kent
Search No. 1345 - Zigfryd Czarnecki
From: Ray
Morgan, raymorgan@adelphia.net To:
looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Saturday,
September 02, 2006 6:38 PM Subject: crew list
names
I am searching for information on
Bomb Group 379 Squadron 526. Is it possible to
get a photo of the crew? I have a photo of the
combat crew of 379 bomb group 379 squadron 525
and there is another number on the photo
42-29890. I am 81 years of age and was engaged
to the waist gunner on the STUPEFIER. His
address at the time was 379th bomb group 526th
Squadron.
According to all of the
information I have his plane was shot down on
JUNE l8, l944, he was taken prisoner by the
germans and Died on JUNE l9, l944. I have a
photo of THE STUPIFIER met it's end in a field
near Kimbolton when returning from the long
mission to Anklam on 9th October 1943. Since he
was shot down on JUNE 18, 1944 he had to have
been on another stupifier or a different plane
altogether.
It was years before his body
was received for burial. I am so very anxious to
see if he is in the combat crew for 379 Bomb
Group, 526 Squadron. Although it has been 42
years. Seems like yesterday. This wonderful
airman's name is ZIGFRYD CZARNECKI, born on
OCTOBER l8, l923
The pilot of the plane
on June l8, 1944 was S. J. King from Akron, Ohio
but I have been unable to locate him. I will be
happy to receive any information you may be able
to provide. Please let me know if the 379th BOMB
GROUP is having a reunion this coming year.
After his death I enlisted in the UNITED
STATES MARINE CORPS until the war ended in l946.
Thank you very much MS. DORA MAY
(JENKINS) MORGAN
Dora - Association
records for Zigfryd Czarnecki show he flew 23
missions as gunner with the 526th Squadron from
March 26 to June 18, 1944. Our records show
missions 89, 90, 91, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99,
103, 104, 107, 109, 111, 113, 118, 119, 121,
123, 141, 143, 144, and 145. Sgt Czarnecki may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
Our
records do not show Sgt Czarnecki flying any of
his missions aboard "Stupifier", or a later
aircraft, "Stupifier II". Sgt Czarnecki was
flying aboard a/c 42-102628, "G.I. Jane" on
Mission 145 to Hamburg, Germany. This A/C was
observed on fire prior to target. The plane
stayed in formation, dropped its bombs, and
peeled off into a dive to put the fire out. One
parachute was seen. Crew was as follows:
King, Stephen J., 1st Lt, P, POW Miller,
Milton S., 1st Lt, CP, KIA Casey, Donald E.,
2nd Lt, N, POW Henry, Charles W., 2nd Lt, B,
POW Rutishauser, Charles E., T/SGT, RO, KIA
(Ardennes) Wheeler, Raymond F., T/SGT, TT,
POW Hagen, James H., S/SGT, BT, POW
Czarnecki, Zigfryd V., S/SGT, WG, KIA-Died as
POW Miller, Eugene V., S/SGT, TG, KIA
Donald Casey is on our current Association
roster. This response will be posted in the
"Looking 4" section of our website, in case any
members have any additional information. Sorry,
we do not have a photo of the crew or any
aircraft our records show Sgt Czarnecki having
flown aboard. Our 2006 Reunion will be held in
Seattle September 6 - 10.
Responding 4
9/4/2006 Kent
Search No. 1344 - 42-5829, Flying Jenny
From:
researchone1@sbcglobal.net To:
looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Friday, September
01, 2006 9:53 AM Subject: "FLYING JENNY"
Looking for crew photographs etc. for :
B-17F A/C: 42-5829 "FLYING JENNY" 525 BOMB
SQUADRON CODE FR MACR 1361 30 JUL 1943
KASSEL/AACHEN ?? GERMANY
Is there a way
to actually determine where the aircraft
crashed? Latitude-Longitude etc. All assistance
will be appreciated.
Thank You gjs
Sir - Association
records for a/c 42-5829, "Flying Jenny",
indicate this aircraft was dispatched on Mission
17 to Kassel, Germany on July 30, 1943. Our
records show this a/c as "Missing in Action".
Sorry, we have no information on location of
crash site. Crew was as follows:
Hoveland, Lawrence B., 1st Lt, P, KIA Kusy,
Stanley A., 2nd Lt, CP, KIA Johnston, William
E., 2nd Lt, N, KIA Williams, David L., 2nd
Lt, B, POW Williams, Stanley, T/SGT, RO, POW
Denny, Carl L., T/SGT, TT, KIA Manista,
Stanley F., S/SGT, BT, POW Blanton, Joseph
W., S/SGT, RW, POW Oman, Andrew J., S/SGT,
LW, POW Wasley, Thiel, S/SGT, TG, POW
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members have
any additional information. A photo of this a/c
is attached, but the identity of the crew shown
in this photo is unconfirmed, although it is
believed to be the Hoveland crew.
Responding 4 9/4/2006 Kent
Search No. 1343 - Leroy E.
Nicholson
From: Gregory Vida,
gregoryvida@yahoo.com To:
looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Tuesday, August
15, 2006 6:56 AM Subject: WHEREABOUTS OF CREW
MEMBER
Good Morning,
I am
searching for a former member of the 379th whom
I have lost touch with over the years. He was my
stepfather back in the 70s' and I am wondering
if he is still alive. His name is Leeroy E.
Nicholson, originally from Paterson, NJ: Last
rank was Staff Sergeant Position was waist
gunner on a B-17F. Was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross and Air Medal with two oakleaf
clusters. Completed all 25 missions and was
slightly wounded by shell fragments in the ear.
Did not receive Purple Heart although he could
have applied for it. Last known state of
residence is New Jersey. I would appreciate any
data you could pass on to me. Thank you and keep
up the great website!
Greg Vida
Greg - Association records for Leroy E.
Nicholson show that he flew 25 missions as
gunner with the 527th Bomb Squadron from October
20, 1943 to March 19, 1944. Records indicate
missions number 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48,
49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78,
79, 80, 81, 83, and 84. Sgt. Nicholson may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we have in our records.
Sgt
Nicholson flew missions on a number of different
aircraft. His first combat mission, according to
our records, was Mission 39 to Duren/Gilze
Rijen, Germany. Crew for that mission, and what
looks to have been Sgt Nicholson's "regular"
crew, was as follows:
Smith, James E, 2nd
Lt, Pilot Lamphear, Leon G, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Labore, Joseph R, 2nd Lt, Nav Mulkern, James
P, 2nd Lt, Bomb Webster, Walter S, Sgt, Radio
Op Uporsky, Joseph (NMI), SSgt, Top Turret
Davis, Herschell H, Sgt, Ball Turret
Nicholson, Leroy E, Sgt, Right Waist Potter,
James L, Sgt, Left Waist Warren, Edward H,
SSgt, Tail
Sorry, we have no information
on the current whereabouts of Sgt Nicholson.
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members have
any additional information.
Responding 4
8/23/2006 Kent
Search No. 1342 - Robert R
Phillips
From: <walkermatic@bellsouth.net> To:
<looking4@379thbga.org> Sent: Tuesday, August
08, 2006 9:28 PM Subject: Looking for
information on my uncle
My uncle Robert R
Phillips was a tail gunner in a B-17 and flew 35
missions. I am attaching two photos which are on
the 303rd Bomber groups web site. He identified
the people he could remember in both of the
photos. He is not sure of which bomber group he
was in or squadron. I did a search on one of the
crewmen that were KIA (Joe Clark) and found he
was a member of the 379th group and 527th
squadron (if it is the same Joe Clark). I am
wondering if my uncle was a member of this same
group. Once again, his name is Robert Reinhart
Phillips and the pilot of the plane he was on
was Frank Biorn. The plane picture that I have
was the Hellcat Agnes although my uncle says he
does not remember his plane having a name. Any
help you can provide would be great.
Sir - Association records for Robert P
Phillips (our records show M.I. as P, may be a
transcription error) show that he flew 8
missions as gunner with the 527th Bomb Squadron
from March 8 to March 22, 1945. Records indicate
missions number 296, 297, 298, 300, 301, 302,
306, and 307. Sgt. Phillips may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
Sgt Phillips flew
missions on a number of different aircraft, but
none on "Hellcat Agnes". Our records show he did
fly at least one mission each on 42-38058, "The
Wish Bone", 42-37805, "Carol Dawn", and 44-6835,
"Stardust" (photos will be sent in separate
e-mail). His last combat mission, according to
our records, was Mission 307 to Gelsenkirchen,
Germany. Crew for that mission was as follows:
Biorn, Frank R, 2nd Lt, Pilot Perry,
Robert D, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot Clark, Joe T, F/O,
Nav Klansnic, Richard J, Sgt, Togglier
Crouch, Hubert J, Sgt, Radio Op Volak, Walter
J, Sgt, Top Turret Brown, William C, Sgt,
Ball Turret Phillips, Robert P, Sgt, Tail
Garcia, Antone R, Sgt, Spot Jammer
Richard Klansnic is on our current Association
roster. Following up on your Uncle's
recollection, Flight Officer Joe T Clark, flying
as Navigator with pilot Frank Biorn, was hit by
flak on the March 23, 1945 mission to Gladbeck,
Germany, and died in the hospital the following
day. This response will be posted in the
"Looking 4" section of our website, in case any
members have any additional information.
Responding 4 8/22/2006 Kent
Search No. 1341 - Beverly C Besh
From: Dave Fett, dave.fett@iowaglass.com To:
looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Thursday, August
03, 2006 11:07 AM Subject: RE: B.C. Besh,
379th BGA, 524th Squadron
Looking for any
and all info you have regarding B.C. Besh. # of
missions, name of his plane, rank, position,
dates, old photos, etc... He is my wife's uncle
and while very fascinating, he is also very
quiet when it comes to his service. I have
gotten some info from him but I hate to bug him.
Any info you could supply would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you. Dave Fett
Dave - Association records for Beverly C Besh
show that he flew 43 missions as gunner with the
524th Bomb Squadron from July 29, 1944 to April
20, 1945. Records indicate missions number 176,
177, 178, 179, 180, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189,
192, 194, 196, 199, 200, 201, 203, 204, 210,
211, 215, 217, 219, 221, 226, 227, 231, 232,
235, 236, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 244, 289,
293, 301, 308, 315, 323, and 329. Sgt. Besh may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
Sgt Besh
flew missions on a number of different aircraft,
among them 42-32024, "Swamp Fire", and
42-107213, "Rubble Rouser". Photos of those
aircraft will be sent in separate e-mail. Also,
he flew as part of the squadron and group lead
crew on several occasions. Records show Sgt.
Besh's first combat mission was aboard a/c
43-37855, "Boomerang's Big Friend" (sorry, no
photo available). Crew of this aircraft for that
mission was as follows:
Lindsay, Elro C,
F/O, Pilot Ports, Thomas A, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Barlow, Edward R, 2nd Lt, Nav Barath, Alex,
2nd Lt, Bomb Crosby, George H, Sgt, Radio Op
Besh, Beverly C, Sgt, Top Turret Brassell,
Dennis A, Sgt, Ball Turret Lee Pard, jr,
George P, Sgt, Waist Marinaro, Frank, Sgt,
Tail
George Lee Pard is on our current
Association roster. We do not know of any photo
of Sgt Besh's crew. This response will be posted
in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in
case any members have any additional
information.
Responding 4 8/19/2006
Kent
|