From: rob holden;
hborholden@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, July 08,
2013 11:40 PM To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Harold R. Holden, bombader
Holden, Harold R served 6/7/44-11/5/44
Rob – Association records for Harold R.
Holden show he flew 30 missions as bombardier
with the 526th Squadron from June 7 to November
5, 1944. Our records show missions 138, 139,
140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 150, 169,
170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 185,
201, 208, 218, 219, 223, 224, 227, 228, 229, and
232. Lt. Holden may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we can
document.
What looks to be Lt. Holden’s
“original” crew, possibly the one he trained
with, was as follows:
Greenough, Charles
J, Lieutenant, Pilot Richards, Wallace A,
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Melling, Dale E,
Lieutenant, Navigator Holden, Harold R,
Flight Officer, Bombardier Dempsay, Howard L,
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Reed, Roy C,
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Rixon,
Joe H, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Danforth,
Charles W, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Roberts,
Thomas W, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This
response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. Sorry,
we have no photos of Lt. Holden or his crew. If
you have any photo of this crew, we would be
grateful for any copies you’d be willing to
share.
Responding4 8/14/2013 Kent
Search No. 1629 - Howard W. Simpkins,
Jr.
From: Edward Dyson;
r.edwarddyson@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 11:41 AM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Howard William
Simpkins, Jr 2nd LT Pilot
Dear Sirs,
Hello, I am in the
process of trying to obtain any pertinent
information for my Uncle Bill who served as a
B-17 pilot on the "Goo Goo" and possibly other
fortresses according to your site. I hope that
you can help me please.
He was my mother's
Brother, she was able to pass down to our family
some of her recollections, however I would like
to fill in the blanks that would help enable us
to add to his legacy. If you require any
additional information from me, please feel free
to contact me anytime.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
Edward Dyson
Edward – Association records for Howard W.
Simpkins, Jr. show he flew 36 missions as pilot
with the 524th Squadron from November 1, 1944 to
March 7, 1945. Our records show missions 229,
230, 236, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 244, 246,
248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 255, 256, 258, 260,
262, 263, 265, 266, 268, 269, 272, 274, 275,
276, 280, 281, 284, 289, 291, 292, and 295. Lt.
Simpkins may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we can document.
What
looks to be Lt. Simpkins’ “regular” crew was as
follows:
Simpkins Jr., Howard W, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot Gjelvik, Edgar C, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Eppinger, Ira G, Flight
Officer, Navigator Parker, Raymond W, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier Yeomans, Donald D,
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Abrashoff,
Kero, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Sterner, Guy S, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Delong, Walter B, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Hill, Mack W, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
As
with most 379th air crew, Lt. Simpkins flew his
missions in a number of different aircraft,
including, as you state, a/c 43-37851, “Goo
Goo”. However, 26 of the listed missions were
flown in Goo Goo. Sorry, we have no photo of
this aircraft.
This response will be
posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information. Sorry, we have no photos
of Lt. Simpkins or his crew. If you have any
photo of this crew, we would be grateful for any
copies you’d be willing to share.
Responding4 7/7/2013 Kent
Search No. 1628 - Percy D. Redden
From: Chris
Williams; westtexassixshooter@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 1:08 PM To:
Looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Redden, Percy
D
My wife's Grandfather was Percy D
Redden and, he was a crew member (Sergeant,
Eng/Top Turret Gunner) in the 524th BS, 379th BG
and was a crew member with: 2LT Arnold J Hecker,
Pilot. Can you identify and advise us of;
Aircraft(s), aircraft names, tail numbers,
missions and any other information which you
believe would be pertainent? Thank You,
Chris R. Williams Sergeant Major, USA,
Retired
Chris – Association
records for Percy D. Redden show he flew 34
missions as engineer/gunner with the 524th
Squadron from November 10, 1944 to April 3,
1945. Our records show missions 236, 238, 239,
240, 241, 244, 246, 248, 251, 252, 253, 255,
258, 260, 265, 266, 268, 269, 271, 274, 276,
281, 283, 284, 287, 289, 295, 296, 300, 301,
304, 305, 306, and 315. Sgt. Redden may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we can document.
What looks to be
Sgt. Redden’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Hecker, Arnold J, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Marshall, Clarence J, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Thimmig, Robert F, Flight Officer, Navigator
Wenger, Herbert R, Sergeant, Nose
Gunner/Togglier Leto, Philip J, Sergeant,
Radio Operator/Gunner Redden, Percy D,
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Zaken,
Charles L, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Belt,
Boaz E, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Thornburg,
Roland H, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
As with
most 379th air crew, Sgt. Redden flew his
missions in a number of different aircraft,
including:
43-37934, Million Dollar Baby
(Mission 238) 42-107213, Rubble Rouser
(Missions 239, 240, 241, 244, 246, 255, 260,
265) 42-40003, Ol Gappy/Topper (Mission 251)
44-6602, Slew Foot Sue (Mission 252) 44-8425,
Connie (Mission 258) 42-102974, Hellcat Agnes
(Mission 269)
The balance of his missions
were flown in aircraft with no known “name”. Ol
Gappy/Topper was the “champ” heavy bomber of the
8th Air Force, having flown 157 combat missions
by war’s end.
This response will be
posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information. A photo of the Arnold
Hecker crew is being sent separately. If you
have any crew photo of Sgt. Redden or his crew,
we would be grateful for any copies you’d be
willing to share.
Responding4 7/7/2013
Kent
Search No. 1627 - Paul Kondravy
|
From: Laura DiMauro; lauradimauro618@yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 10:45 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Paul Kondravy
Hello,
I am trying to re-acquire the
medals my grandfather, Paul Kondravy, was
awarded for his service in WWII. I was told I
need his military number to write to the
government and they will re-issue them. Is there
any way you can look up the information for me?
Any other information you have on him would be
greatly appreciated. I know he was shot down in
a plane called "White Lightning" and was
prisoner of war, but I'd love records of all of
his missions. I will be putting together a
collage with his jacket, medals, and anything
else I can find. I also made a video documentary
of him before he passed away. I can send it to
you if you'd like it for your archives.
Thank you so much! Laura DiMauro
Laura –
Association records for Paul Kondravy show he
flew 26 missions as radio operator/gunner with
the 526th Squadron from November 4, 1944 to
February 9, 1945. Our records show missions 231,
232, 234, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 242, 243,
244, 248, 249, 252, 256, 257, 260, 262, 264,
265, 268, 270, 273, 274, 276, and 277. Sgt.
Kondravy may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we can document.
The
379th’s target on February 9, 1945 was a viaduct
at Arnsberg, Germany. Sgt. Kondravy was the
radio operator for the Pearlman crew aboard a/c
44-6119, “White Lightnin”, which lost 2 engines
and was last seen heading towards Belgium. Crew
was as follows:
Pearlman, Herbert I,
Lieutenant, Pilot, Prisoner Of War O'Neill,
John K, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Francescani, Charles, Lieutenant, Bombardier,
Prisoner Of War Maloney, Raymond P, Staff
Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier, Prisoner Of War
Kondravy, Paul, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Prisoner Of War Bryant, Alva
E, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner,
Prisoner Of War Wells, Wesley E, Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of War
White, Fred T, Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner,
Prisoner Of War Jervis, Al W, Staff Sergeant,
Tail Gunner, Prisoner Of War
This
response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. Sorry,
we have no photo of Sgt. Kondravy. A photo of
a/c White Lightnin is being sent separately. If
you have any crew photo of him or his crew, we
would be grateful for any copies you’d be
willing to share. We show Sgt. Kondravy’s
service number as 33829141, but cannot attest to
its accuracy.
Responding4 6/15/2013
Kent
Search No. 1626 - William J. Cook
Jr.
From: Bill Cook;
billjcook82@gmail.com Sent: Monday, June 10,
2013 3:03 PM To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Lt. William J Cook, Jr.
Dear
Sirs,
I am looking for any information I
can get on my Uncle William J Cook, Jr. He
seemed to jump between aircraft in the 525th
serving on the Calamity Jane, Gay Cavalleros,
Peter Wabbit, Damndifino, Stump Jumper,
Picadilly Willy, Battlin' Bobbie, & a couple
unnamed aircraft. He was Shot down 9/16/43 on
the Battlin' Bobbie and evaded capture into
Spain in Feb of 1944. I am looking for any
pictures you might have of him as well as any
documentation or accounts on how he received his
Silver Star and Air Medal w/ Cluster? (A mystery
to the family as he rarely talked about it) Any
help with this would be greatly appreciated. He
died Feb. of 1998
Thank you and kindest
regards, Bill J Cook
Bill – Association records for William J.
Cook Jr. show he flew 18 missions as bombardier
with the 525th Squadron from June 11 to
September 16, 1943. Our records show missions 2,
9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. Lt. Cook may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
can document.
On September 16, 1943, the
379th targeted a ball bearing factory at Nantes,
France. Lt. Cook was the bombardier aboard a/c
42-29876, “Battlin Bobbie”, which left the
formation with 2 engines out and the left
wing on fire. Crew was as follows:
Hoyt
III, Elton, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot, Evaded
Schroeder, Norman C, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot,
Evaded Glickman, Louis H, 2nd Lieutenant,
Navigator, Evaded Cook Jr., William J, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier, Evaded Dulberg,
Herbert W, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Evaded Thomas, John F, Tech
Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Eldridge, Russel H, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner, Prisoner Of War Minor, Harry L, Staff
Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, Evaded Miller,
William J, Tech Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner,
Evaded Shaffer, Edward R, Staff Sergeant,
Tail Gunner, Evaded
This response will be
posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information. Sorry, we have no
information on individual awards. A photo
containing Lt. Cook is being sent separately. If
you have any crew photo that includes him, we
would be grateful for any copies you’d be
willing to share.
Responding4 6/15/2013
Kent
Search No. 1625 - Sydney P. Kelly
From: Jack Burg;
jack_burg@hotmail.com Sent: Tuesday, May 28,
2013 7:10 AM To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Anita Marie
To whom may know the
answer,
My grandfather, Sydney Prince
Kelly, was killed in action while serving aboard
the Anita Marie on July 7th, 1944 over Leipzig,
Germany. What type of aircraft was the Anita
Marie? Do you have any knowledge of the details
of her loss? I know 6 of her crew were taken
POW, while 3, one being my grandfather, were
killed. Any insight is much appreciated.
Best, Jack Burg
Jack – Association records for Sydney P.
Kelly show he flew 25 missions as bombardier
with the 524th Squadron from May 23 to July 7,
1944. Our records show missions 123, 124,
125,126, 130, 132, 135, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141,
142, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148, 149, 150, 152,
157, 158, 159, and 161. Lt. Kelly may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
can document.
The July 7, 1944 mission
for the 379th was an aircraft factory at
Liepzig, Germany. Lt. Kelly was the bombardier
aboard a/c 42-31085, “Anita Marie”, a
Boeing-built B-17G, which is believed to have
been hit and downed by flak. Crew was as
follows:
Reidman, John E, 1st Lieutenant,
Pilot, Prisoner Of War Smith, Robert H, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In Action Kelly,
Sydney P, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, Killed In
Action Sarfaty, David E, 2nd Lieutenant,
Bombardier, Prisoner Of War Moreno, Edmund V,
Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, Prisoner
Of War Rowe, Albert O, Tech Sergeant,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Krosunger, Peter G, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner, Prisoner Of War Fields, Donald E,
Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Pekonen, Ray W, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner,
Prisoner Of War
This response will be
posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information. Sorry, we have no photo
of Lt. Kelly or this crew. If you have any crew
photo that includes him, we would be grateful
for any copies you’d be willing to share.
Responding4 6/13/2013 Kent
Search No. 1624 - Harold L. Willey
From: Howard
Willey; howardwilley@earthlink.net Sent:
Monday, May 27, 2013 8:46 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Harold L
Willey
I am searching for information on
my father, Harold L. Willey. Its my
understanding that he was a BT gunner on a B-17
named Red Dragon which was on mission #186 to
Pirmasens when it was shot down. I would be
interested in any other missions he was on, and
whether he flew on other planes.
I have
also noted other crews listed for a B-17 called
the Red Dragon, such as one referenced in the
book "Protector of the Red Dragon". Is this the
same plane?
Were any records kept about
the kills by various gunners or crews? Lastly,
which had the higher mortality rate, being a
B-17 crewmember or a German Fighters pilot.
Thanks for your help. Howard Willey
Howard –
Association records for Harold L. Willey show he
flew 17 missions as ball turret gunner with the
527th Squadron from July 6 to August 9, 1944.
Our records show missions 160, 161, 162, 165,
166, 168, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 177, 178,
182, 183, 185, and 186. Sgt. Willey may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we can document.
On August 9, 1944,
the 379th Bomb Group targeted a factory at
Pirmasens, Germany. Sgt. Willey was flying in
the ball turret for the Howard Hamilton crew
aboard a/c 43-37951, “Red Dragon”. This aircraft
was hit by flak over Liege, losing altitude
until unable to stay with the Group. Crew was as
follows:
Hamilton, Howard H, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot, Evaded Feaster, Rexford H,
2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Evaded Kaufman,
Hector A, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, Evaded
Nielsen, Walter R, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier,
Evaded Siegle, Howard P, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Evaded Miller, Vincent N,
Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner,
Evaded Willey, Harold L, Staff Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner, Evaded Dorning, Dale D, Staff
Sergeant, Waist Gunner, Evaded Wilmoth,
Robert L, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Evaded
Like most 379th crews, Sgt. Willey flew his
missions in a number of different aircraft. In
addition to Red Dragon (8 missions), he flew 1
each in 42-39789, “Skunkface”, 42-97462, “Judy
II”, 42-107146, “Mairzy Doats”, 42-97170, “Julie
Mae”, and a couple of other aircraft with no
name. Sorry, we have no information on
individual gunner claims, or the mortality rate.
We are also unaware of “Protector of the Red
Dragon”, but there is circumstantial evidence
that more than one 379th a/c was named Red
Dragon.
This response will be posted in
the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case
any members or readers have any additional
information. A photo, dated 25 June 1944, and
identified as the Hamilton crew, is being sent
separately. If you can identify Sgt. Willey in
this photo, we would be grateful for that
information. If you have any other crew photos
that include him, or images of Red Dragon, we
would be grateful for any copies you’d be
willing to share.
Responding4 6/13/2013
Kent
Search No. 1623 - Victor P. Wickline
From: Kathleen Wickline Latendresse;
cruzzqueen@juno.com Sent: Sunday, May 26,
2013 8:39 AM To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Wickline, Victor co-pilot London
Avenger
Hello, I am looking for any
information about my grandfather who flew B 17's
in England as part of the 379th Bomb Group. His
name was Victor P. Wickline. I know he was a
decorated pilot who was part of the final London
Avenger crew. He recently died, and
unfortunately he never wanted to talk much about
his war history. I do know that he flew over 25
missions and the crews always wanted to fly with
him because he always brought his crew and plane
home; no matter how badly it was damaged.
Kathleen Wickline Latendresse
Kathleen – Our condolences on your
grandfather’s passing. We will add his name to
our Taps roster.
Association records for
Victor P. Wickline show he flew 34 missions as
pilot and co-pilot with the 525th Squadron from
December 18, 1944 to April 14, 1945. Our records
show missions 250, 252, 253, 254, 261, 262, 263,
264, 266, 268, 271, 273, 275, 277, 285, 288,
292, 293, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 301, 302,
303, 305, 313, 315, 318, 319, 320, 323, and 324.
Lt. Wickline may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we can document.
As you state, Lt. Wickline (Flight Officer
Wickline at the time) flew a number of his
missions (6) in a/c 42-31228, “London Avenger”,
which was one of 4 aircraft “purchased” by the
Town of Bermondsey, England, through a Donation
Drive. London Avenger made a belly landing near
Old Weston on 20 January 1945 following a raid
on Stuttgart, Germany. Crew was as follows:
Phinney, Keith L, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Wickline, Victor P, Flight Officer, Co-Pilot
Williams, William T, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Wetherbee, Raymond, Staff Sergeant, Nose
Gunner/Togglier Hitchon, Edward F, Staff
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Rasmussen,
Donald E, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner Nephew Jr., William, Staff Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner Adams, Willis S, Staff
Sergeant, Waist Gunner Tacy Jr., Clyde I,
Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response
will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information. A photo of Lt. Wickline
and this crew is being sent separately. If you
have any photos that include him, we would be
grateful for any copies you’d be willing to
share.
Responding4 6/11/2013 Kent
Search No. 1622 – David L. Miksche
From: Jen Jackson Quintano; jacksjen@gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 9:32 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: David L.
Miksche
I'm so happy to have found your
website! Thanks for helping those of us who want
to connect with our history. I'm looking for any
information you might have on my great-uncle,
David Leo Miksche. He flew B-17s with the 524th
Squadron in WWII. Anything you can pass along is
much appreciated. I appreciate your assistance.
Best, Jen
Jackson Quintano
Jen – Association records for David L.
Miksche show he flew 20 missions as pilot and
co-pilot with the 526th Squadron from March 3 to
April 20, 1945. Our records show missions 293,
297, 298, 299, 302, 303, 308, 309, 311, 312,
314, 315, 317, 322, 323, 324, 325, 327, 328, and
329. Lt. Miksche may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we can
document.
Like most 379th crew, Lt.
Miksche flew his missions in a number of
different aircraft, and, as his missions were
flown late in the war (the 379th’s last mission
was No. 330, on April 25, 1945), with a number
of different crews. What looks close to being
his “regular” crew was as follows:
Miksche, David L, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Williams, Charles A, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Manning, William F, Flight Officer, Navigator
Merritt, Eugene, Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Conway, Joseph, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner Glass, Paul J, Sergeant,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Thomson Jr.,
William J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Hunt,
Henry J, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This
response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. Sorry,
we have no photo of Lt. Miksche or his crew. If
you have any photos that include him, we would
be grateful for any copies you’d be willing to
share.
Responding4 6/11/2013 Kent
From: Jen Jackson Quintano
[mailto:jacksjen@gmail.com] Sent: Monday,
July 08, 2013 10:51 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Re: Looking 4
- 1622 – David L. Miksche
Hi there, It
looks like I didn't respond to thank you for
passing along this info (I was dispatched to
several fires in Colorado just as I received
this and was gone for a few weeks). So,
belatedly, thank you! I know our family has some
military photos of Leo hiding away in dusty
photo albums. I'll pass along copies as I find
them. I really appreciate all that you do...
Jen
Search No. 1621 – Ronald M. MacKenzie
From: Lynn Fairbanks; lfairbanks@roadrunner.com
Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2013 12:52 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Ronald
MacKenzie
Friend of my late mother's and
born, as was I, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Waist
gunner and I believe MIA on 7-9-44 over France.
Any other information would be most appreciated.
Lynn Robert Fairbanks
Lynn – Association records for Ronald M.
MacKenzie show he flew 1 mission as waist gunner
with the 525th Squadron on July 9, 1944, 379th
Bomb Group Mission 162. Sgt. MacKenzie may have
flown additional missions, but this is the only
one we can document.
On the July 9, 1944
mission to Lapossonniers, France, Sgt. MacKenzie
was flying what is believed to be his crew’s
first combat mission, in a/c 42-38141, “Pansy
Yokum”, which was declared Missing in Action,
and believed to have gone down in the North Sea.
Crew was as follows:
Frye, Hughe E, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot, Killed In Action Gluckman,
Victor B, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In
Action Stoupe, Chester B, 2nd Lieutenant,
Navigator, Killed In Action Epperson, Orval
W, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, Killed In Action
Crites, Harry W, Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action Davids,
Robert J, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner,
Killed In Action Kunrod, Thomas A, Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Mackenzie, Ronald M, Sergeant, Waist Gunner,
Killed In Action Eiler, Lawrence R, Corporal,
Tail Gunner, Killed In Action
This
response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. Photos
of this crew, including Sgt. MacKenzie, are
being sent separately. If you have any photos
that include him, we would be grateful for any
copies you’d be willing to share.
Responding4 6/10/2013 Kent
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