|
From: "Joel ANKENY"
<jsankeny@comcast.net>
To:
<looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Wednesday,
March 31, 2010 11:11 AM
Subject: Dean W. Tate
I'm interested in more information about my
father, Dean W. Tate. Thank you!
Joel -
Association records for Dean W Tate
show he flew 13 missions as bombardier with the
525th Squadron from November 26, 1943 to
February 8, 1944. Our records show mission
numbers 43, 44, 48, 49, 51, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60,
64, 66, and 67. Lt Tate may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
On February 8, 1944,
the 379th's target was the engine component
plant at Frankfurt, Germany. Lt Tate was part of
the crew of a/c 42-29633, which was seen to be
hit by fighters, scoring a direct hit on the
number 2 engine, and knocking the left hand
horizontal stabilizer off the airplane. The
aircraft went into a slow spiral, until it hit
the ground and exploded - 5 chutes were
observed. Crew, and their disposition, was as
follows:
Beam, Doris R, 2nd Lieutenant,
Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Ross, Bobb F, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In Action
Gallagher, Eugene H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator,
Prisoner Of War
Tate, Dean W, 2nd Lieutenant,
Bombardier, Evaded
Fotenakes, George C, Tech
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Lessig, William C, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret
Gunner, Evaded
Bernier, John F, Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Evaded
Lissandrello, George C, Staff Sergeant, Right
Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Helsel, David
G, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner, Evaded
Kelly, Robert L, 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. A photo of the airplane
Lt Tate flew for most of his missions, 42-37784,
"The Old Fox" (shown with a later crew) will be
sent via separate e-mail. If you have any photos
of Lt Tate or his crew that you'd be willing to
share for our archives, we would be grateful.
Responding 4 3/31/2010
Kent
Search No. 1459 - Eugene J. Shadick
From: Megan Freund, meganfreund@yahoo.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, March
23, 2010 11:45 AM
Subject: Eugene J Shadick
I'm looking for any
further information regarding my grandfather,
Eugene J Shadick. I found a wonderful piece on
your site, entitled 'Prisoner of War: Gunner
Saves Buddy's Life High Over Reich". Eugene
passed away in 1970 and never discussed his
military service, aside from having his hand
amputated when his plane was shot down. Looking
for photos, list of men he served with, etc.
Thank you,
Megan Jacquet
Megan –
Association records for Eugene J.
Shadick show he flew 9 missions as gunner with
the 525th Squadron from June 11 to August 17,
1943. Our records show mission numbers 3, 10,
11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. Sgt Shadick may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
On
August 17, 1943, the 379th was dispatched to
bomb the ball bearing works at Schweinfurt,
Germany – this mission became known as the 1st
Schweinfurt mission. Sgt Shadick was part of the
crew of a/c 42-30158, “Mary Jane II”. Out of 24
aircraft the 379th put up for this mission, this
aircraft was one of 4 lost on this day to enemy
action – crew, and their disposition, was as
follows:
Koeppen, Howard O, 1st
Lieutenant, Pilot, Killed In Action
Thompson,
Harold N, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of
War
Dennstedt, Edward A, 2nd Lieutenant,
Navigator, Prisoner Of War
Thomas, Robert E,
2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, Prisoner Of War
Borrowman, Floyd K, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Hurlo, John
, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of
War
Watkins, Robert J, Staff Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Posemsky, Jack
, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Shadick, Eugene J, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist
Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Feese, Richard A,
Staff Sergeant, 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. A
photo of this crew and airplane will be sent via
separate e-mail.
Responding 4 3/31/2010
Kent
Search No. 1458 - Johannes Johnson
From: thomas walsh,
thomas.walsh.80@gmail.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, March
15, 2010 6:02 PM
Subject: Johannes(John) H
Johnson
Hello,
I am looking for
any information on my grandfather Johannes
Johnson. I am interested to learn more about how
he served his country. He passed away when I was
younger and unaware of the historical aspect of
his life.
Thank You
Tom Walsh
Tom –
Association
records for Johannes (John) H Johnson show he
flew 14 missions as radio operator/gunner with
the 525th Squadron from June 11 to August 17,
1943. Our records show mission numbers 2, 4, 5,
6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21.
Sgt Johnson may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we have in our records.
On August 17, 1943, the 379th was dispatched
to bomb the ball bearing works at Schweinfurt,
Germany – this mission became known as the 1st
Schweinfurt mission. Sgt Johnson was part of the
crew of a/c 42-30191, “The Bolevich”. Out of 24
aircraft the 379th put up for this mission, this
aircraft was one of 4 lost on this day to enemy
action – crew, and their disposition, was as
follows:
Merchant, Donald W, Lieutenant,
Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Sullivan, James E,
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Keith,
Ernest K, Lieutenant, Navigator, Prisoner Of War
Roman, Leonard J, Lieutenant, Bombardier,
Prisoner Of War
Hecht, Gene R, Tech Sergeant,
Radio Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action
Johnson, Johannes H, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret
Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Tonge, Robert T,
Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of
War
Ridgley, Harold B, Tech Sergeant, Right
Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Van Valkenburg,
Edgar , Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner,
Prisoner Of War
Wierzbanowski, John L, 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. A photo
of “The Bolevich” will be sent via separate
e-mail. Note that on this mission, Sgt Johnson
appears to have been flying in the top turret
position - the rest of his missions were flown
as radio operator/gunner.
Responding 4
3/24/2010
Kent
Search No. 1457 - Charles Erdmann
|
|
From: John Erdmann,
jcerd@comcast.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 3:51 PM
Subject:
Charles Erdmann
Hi,
I am looking
for information on my father Charles Erdmann, he
was assigned and arrived at the 524 bomb sqd,
379th bomb group on March 12,1945. He flew his
1st mission on March 21,1945 and his last on
April 10,1945.
Thanks
John Erdmann
John –
Association
records for Charles Erdmann show he flew 9
missions as bombardier with the 524th Squadron
from March 26 to April 19, 1945. Our records
show mission numbers 311, 314, 316, 317, 319,
321, 322, 327, and 328. Sgt Erdmann may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we have in our records.
Sorry, we
have no photos of Sgt Erdmann, his crew, or any
of the airplanes he flew missions in – if you
have a photo of your father, and his crew, we
would be grateful for any copies to add to our
archives. Sgt Erdmann’s crew, for all but his
last mission, was as follows:
Elliott,
James M, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Henderson Jr.,
Clarence L, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Kellam,
Edgar , 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Manges,
Carl C, Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Cohen,
Irving E, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Chojnacki, Eugene , Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Bentley, Perry , Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner
Erdmann, Charles J, Sergeant,
Waist Gunner
Marino, Carl 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.
Responding 4 3/5/2010
Kent
Search No. 1456 - Alfred Valsecchi
From:
John Valsecchi, John.Valsecchi@CH2M.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, February
12, 2010 8:21 AM
Subject: My uncle
I
am looking for information on my uncle, Alfred
Valsecchi, 2nd LT, bombardier on the "Wilder
Nell II".
He was killed sometime after
11-11-43. My father has a photo of the plane and
the crew with this date on it. The name and nose
art are clearly visible. The photo has the
inscription on the bottom of "120-2-379GR".
After some research, I'm thinking he was in the
379th. I did find a MACR reference (#1332) to a
plane named the "Wilder Nell" (SN 42- 29787)
that crashed in the North Sea off Petten,
Netherlands with 9 KIA and 1 POW. I do not think
this is the plane or the incident as I was told,
the only survivor of my uncle's plane, was the
captain and he wrote to my grandparents
immediately after the incident. Not too likely
he was a POW. Also the name of the plane is not
an exact match.
My father has never
spoken of his brother's death so all I have are
bits of information and the photo (that I copied
and enlarged).
Thanks in advance.
John –
Association records for Alfred
Valsecchi show he flew 4 missions as bombardier
with the 525th Squadron from November 5 to
November 29, 1943. Our records show mission
numbers 41, 42, 43, and 44. Lt Valsecchi may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
On the
mission of November 29, 1943, the 379th was
dispatched to bomb the port facilities at
Bremen, Germany. According to the mission report
and the MACR (1332), a/c 42-29787 was damaged,
and ditched in the water (North Sea) about 1
mile from the Dutch coast. The interrogation of
the lone survivor (tail gunner Edgar E. Schooley
Jr.) reveals that the airplane hit hard and
bounced, and hit again (at least once). He
states that the bottom of the radio room (where
they were sitting for this crash landing – near
the wing, and between bulkheads, a strong part
of the airplane) burst open, the plane flooding
very quickly. Most of the crew were able to
escape the airplane, but were strafed in the
water by an Me109 fighter. Sgt Schooley states
also that, following his capture, he was shown
the name of Lt Valsecchi, and told he was buried
in Holland. Crew was as follows:
Lefevre,
Charles H, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Miller, John
R, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Spurgiasz, Jan ,
Sergeant, Navigator
Valsecchi, Alfred , 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Dixon, Leonard , Tech
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Mulligan,
James C, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner
Hunter, Robert W, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner
Gorn, Lion A, Staff Sergeant, Right
Waist Gunner
Laird, Wesley W, Staff Sergeant,
Left Waist Gunner
Schooley Jr., Edgar E,
Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
I have
attached the crew photo for this airplane, which
sounds like the photo you have. If this is the
same photo, and you are able to identify any of
the crewmen pictured, we would be grateful for
that information.
Regarding the identity
of the airplane – our belief is that “Wilder
Nell” and the pictured “Wilder Nell II” are the
same airplane, s/n 42-29787. This aircraft was a
transfer from the 95th Bomb Group, where it was
known as “Wilder Nell”. The speculation is that
it was given the “II” following the transfer –
crews were superstitious about named airplanes,
and did not generally change names, but did, on
occasion, add to them. Also, it would likely
have been the 525th Squadron CO or a witnessing
pilot writing to the family following the
incident. Most of the crew were dead, the lone
survivor being a POW. Not trying to contradict
the information you’ve gotten to date, but
offering a potential explanation for the events
described.
This response will be posted
in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in
case any members or readers have any additional
information.
Responding 4 2/18/2010
Kent
Search No. 1455 - Raymond Posielenzny
From: Aaron Barnes,
abarnes@cbiaadvisors.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday,
September 01, 2009 6:31 PM
Subject:
Posielenzny, Raymond J, Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner
I was looking to get some
information as to what missions Raymond
Posielenzny took part in. I know he flew at
least a couple of missions on Miss Liberty. He
is my wife’s grandfather. Additionally, he needs
to be added to the Taps list, as he passed in
March 1979. Thank you for any help you can give.
Aaron C. Barnes
Aaron –
Association records for Raymond Posielenzny show
he flew 31 missions as gunner with the 524th
Squadron from June 28 to November 23, 1944. Our
records show mission numbers 156, 157, 158, 159,
160, 161, 163, 164, 168, 169, 170, 171, 174,
177, 189, 191, 194, 195, 196, 200, 203, 204,
210, 213, 216, 221, 225, 227, 236, 238, and 241.
Sgt Posielenzny may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we have in our
records.
As was typical of most 8th Air
Force heavy bomber crews, Sgt Posielenzny flew
his missions in a number of different aircraft.
As you mention, some of those missions (8 of the
total) were in a/c 43-37570, “Miss Liberty”. A
photo of that aircraft is being sent by separate
e-mail. There were also some crew changes
towards the end of Sgt Posielenzny’s combat tour
– this was not uncommon, crew substitutions were
often made due to injury or illness. That said,
Sgt Posielenzny’s “regular” crew (at the start
of his combat missions, and likely the crew he
trained with) was as follows:
Mcclain
Jr., Harold E, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Rainwater, James A, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Balfe, Eugene J, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Chapman, Edward R, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Annunziato, Alphonse A, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Buck, Dean N, Staff Sergeant,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Posielenzny,
Raymond J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Halley, Raymond A, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Hasselfield, Marvin P, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Sorry, we have no photograph of Sgt
Posielenzny or the listed crew – if you have, or
are aware of a photo of him or his crew, we
would be grateful for a copy to add to our
archives.
This response will be posted in
the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case
any members or readers have any additional
information. We will gladly add Sgt
Posielenzny’s name to our Taps roster.
Responding 4 2/18/2010
Kent
Search No. 1454 - Eugene L Farr
From: Eugene Farr,
Jr. (glfarr41453@yahoo.com)
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, January
26, 2010
Subject: Eugene L Farr
Can
someone help me find any military information on
my father Eugene L. Farr. I have a photo of him
with the crew called the "HELLCAT AGNES" of the
526th Squadron (Serial No.
B-17G-60-BO-42-102974) and may have sereved on
other crews. He was an aerial gunnery engineer
and probably served as the turret gunner. He was
stationed at Kimbolton from 1943 - 1944 and
maybe 1945. I have not seen him for about 40
years and learned that he had passed away in
1981.He enlisted in Manchester, NH April 20,
1942 and may have done his training at Kearns
AAF Base in Utah. His Serial number was 31108057
and was a Staff Sergeant during the period of
1944.I have attached a photo with the hope that
someone will recognize him. He is in the first
row without a cap on.
Thank you
Eugene
Farr, Jr.
Gene -
I'm having
a little trouble with our records for SSgt Farr.
Currently, I'm having no luck finding records of
him being aircrew. You mention he was a "gunnery
engineer" - is it possible he was ground crew,
responsible for the guns, like one of the
armorers? You also mention he was at Kimbolton
from 1943 through, maybe, 1945. Typical aircrew
completed their missions in 4 to 9 months, and
went home. The length of stay you indicate
supports, again, part of the ground support
group.
Our records are far from perfect -
if you have any more information to help me help
you, I would be grateful.
Responding 4
2/2/2010
Kent
Kent
He may have been part
of the aie ground crew. Someone told me that
they found him on page 217 of Anthology as Chief
of the grond crew fo the Hellcat Agness. Being
an Aerial Gunnery Flight Engineer, I was also
told that he would have been in the turret at
times.I really would like to get a complete
military history of time there. It has to be out
there somewhere???Are there any ground crew
members that I can contact that served with my
father?
Thank you
Gene
Gene -
I do see that listing
in the Anthology, as crew chief on Hellcat
Agnes. My expectation is that any time in the
turret would have been non-combat operations,
but I have no way of being certain. I do not
have any information of a Eugene Farr in a
combat capacity, but our records are not
perfect.
As far as further
information being out there, I guess I would
start by requesting his service records.
Unfortunately, there was a fire in the records
building in the 70s, and a bunch of records were
destroyed. But that has to be a place to start.
I've attached a
document that was handed out at the Mighty
Eighth Heritage Museum, when the 379th had their
reunion there in 2008. I would suggest you
contact the National Personnel Records Center as
described at the top of the list - looks like
you're in luck, the fire I described looks like
it did not affect last names starting before
"H", so you should have success there.
I don't think there's
any more help I can provide - if you want other
photos of Hellcat Agnes, I'll look through our
files and see what I have and forward them. Let
me know if that's something you'd like.
As far as any ground
crew that might have served with your father, we
have very few former ground crew active in the
Association, and very little information on
ground crew assignments that would have put men
together. I would suggest that you send a letter
to the Association newsletter, Contrails, and
ask all the vets that get the newsletter (many
more than have e-mail or attend reunions) if
they knew or worked with him.
Responding 4 2/3/2010
Kent
Search No. 1453 - Robert McMahon
From: Suzanne Dix,
suzanne@higherwell.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday,
January 13, 2010 4:58 AM
Subject: Robert
McMahon
Do you have any detail re my late
uncle Robert McMahon? I have what memorabilia
that Bob had, some photos, his # 0-821049, he
flew 30 missions and his A1 jacket with Geronimo
on the back with 30 silver bombs. Despite all
this I can find no mention of Geronimo in any
accounts of Kimbolton.
On his visits to
the UK we always took him to Kimbolton until of
course most of what he remembered disappeared.
Thank you & kind regards
Suzanne Dix
Suzanne –
Association records for Robert
McMahon show he flew 30 missions as co-pilot
with the 527th Squadron from July 6 to November
16, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 160,
161, 162, 165, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174,
175, 177, 178, 181, 182, 183, 193, 196, 197,
198, 203, 205, 206, 208, 209, 211, 213, 233,
235, and 238. Lt McMahon may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
As was typical of
most 8th Air Force heavy bomber crews, Lt
McMahon flew his missions in a number of
different aircraft. Unfortunately, I can find no
record of an aircraft named “Geronimo”, however,
some aircraft were “named” by their crew but
never got the artwork applied, which could be
the case here. We would be very interested in
good copies of any photos (even the artwork on
the jacket) you’d be willing to share, and there
may be a clue in one of them that helps identify
another of the Group’s airplanes. The
Association’s records are not exhaustive, and we
are trying to fill out our archives to be able
to provide better responses to this type of
inquiry. Any help would be very much
appreciated.
Lt McMahon began his combat
operations with the following crew:
Buel,
Ward C, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
McMahon, Robert
(NMI), 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Vaughan Jr.,
Harry H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Daly, John
F, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Borger, Joseph
B, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Olmstead, Earl R, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Green, Arthur F, Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner
Babulski, Emil (NMI), Staff
Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Grassfield, William M,
Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
His first 2
combat missions (160 and 161) were flown in a/c
42-97462, “Judy II”.
On October 2, 1944
(mission 213), the 379th was dispatched to bomb
the marshalling yards at Cologne, Germany. Lt
McMahon was aboard a/c 44-6022, which was
reported to have caught fire during the assembly
process following takeoff. All 9 crewmembers
bailed out safely, the aircraft crashing near
the RAF base at Little Staughton. Crew was as
follows:
Jones, Davis F, 1st Lieutenant,
Pilot
Mcmahon, Robert (NMI), 2nd Lieutenant,
Co-Pilot
Goldstein, Lawrence M, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator
Claesgens, Robert F,
2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Gershenbaum,
Nathan (NMI), Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Weber, Nathaniel T, Tech
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Revenko,
Boris (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Archer, Lawrence V, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Albert, Aristide A, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
As you state, Lt McMahon completed his 30
missions, with 3 more following this loss of
aircraft. Sorry, we have no photograph of Lt
McMahon or the listed crew – if you have, or are
aware of a photo of him or his crew, we would be
grateful for a copy to add to our archives.
This response will be posted in the "Looking
4" section of our website, in case any members
or readers have any additional information.
Responding 4 1/14/2009
Kent
Search No. 1452 - Thomas C Meehan
From: William Meehan, williammeehan@snet.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday,
December 18, 2009 4:30 PM
Subject: Thomas C.
Meehan
I was hoping you might be able to
provide some information concerning the service
of my uncle Thomas C. Meehan. He was a top
turret gunner on a B-17 in the 525th Bomber
Group of the 379th. His ship was shot down on
May 24, 1944 while on a mission in the area of
Berlin. The pilot of my uncle’s ship was Capt.
Lytle Shumake. The serial no. was 42-38082.
Capt. Shumake’s ship and that piloted by Capt.
Gease, no. 42-37784, were attacked by fighters,
collided and crashed. No one on my uncle’s plane
survived.
I suspect my uncle flew on
other planes and on a number of missions. Any
information or photos that you might be able to
provide regarding his service would be
appreciated.
Regards,
Bill Meehan
Bill –
Association records for Thomas C
Meehan show he flew 14 missions as engineer/top
turret gunner with the 525th Squadron from April
22 to May 24, 1944. Our records show mission
numbers 100, 101, 104, 105, 106, 108, 111, 112,
115, 116, 117, 119, 122, and 124. Sgt Meehan may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
On the
May 24, 1944 mission, the 379th was dispatched
to bomb an aircraft component plant at Berlin,
Germany. Confirming the account you state, Sgt
Meehan’s crew was flying in a/c 42-38082, which
is believed to have collided with a/c 42-37784,
“The Old Fox”, after being attacked by fighters.
Lt Gease, pilot of a/c 42-37784, was the only
survivor from both crews. Crew of 42-38082 was
as follows:
Shumake, Lytle W, Captain,
Pilot, Killed In Action
Smith, George W, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In Action
Savage, Regis J, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator,
Killed In Action
Carrillo, Lionel C, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier, Killed In Action
Paitkowski, Chester J, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action
Meehan,
Thomas C, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner, Killed In Action
Edmondson, Lyle R,
Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Killed In
Action
Lairmore, Jack R, Staff Sergeant,
Waist Gunner, Killed In Action
Lambert, Jack
H, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Killed In Action
Copies of a couple of pages from the Missing
Air Crew Report are being sent by separate
e-mail. Included in those pages are several
eye-witness accounts of the mid-air collision
between these 2 aircraft.
Sorry, we have
no photograph of Sgt Meehan or the listed crew –
if you have, or are aware of a photo of him or
his crew, we would be grateful for a copy to add
to our archives. Any help would be very much
appreciated. As you suggest, while Sgt Meehan
flew the majority of his missions in a/c
42-38082, he also flew in a/c 42-38161, “Sarah
Jane” (mission 105), 42-97302, “Scotch N’ Soda”
(mission 112), and a/c 42-107068, “Powerful
Katrinka” (mission 122). Photos of those last 2
aircraft are available, and will be sent by
separate e-mail.
This response will be
posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information.
Responding 4
12/23/2009
Kent
Search No. 1451 - John F Lynch
From: Tim Lynch, Tim.Lynch@hamiltonmedical.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Thursday,
December 17, 2009 9:51 PM
Subject: Looking
for John Lynch- 379th, 526th squadron
Hi,
My Father recently passed away. Off and on over
the last few years he spoke more about his time
in WWII. His name is John Lynch, he was a tail
gunner in the 379th Bomber Group, 526th Bomber
Squadron. He was shot down over Caen, France on
August 13th, 1944. The aircraft blew up, he was
knocked out. He came very close to the ground
before he came to and managed to get his chute
open, only to break his foot and immediately was
captured. He had shrapnel in his back and legs,
his face and hands were severely burned. He was
a POW until the end of the war.
I’m
wondering if you can help me get info, photos,
and a list of the crew. He never found out if
any of his crew survived. He believed he was the
only one.
Thank you for your effort on
this.
Sincerely,
Tim lynch
Tim –
Association records for John F Lynch
show he flew 2 missions as tail gunner with the
526th Squadron from August 11, 1943 to August
13, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 187
and 189. Sgt Lynch may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we have in our
records.
On the August 13, 1944 mission,
the 379th was dispatched on a troop support
mission to Royan, France. Sgt Lynch’s crew was
flying in a/c 42-107175, believed to have been
lost due to enemy flak. Crew was as follows:
Miller, Marshall B, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot,
Killed In Action
Day, Russell B, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In Action
Ramage, Donald J, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator,
Killed In Action
Mikels, George M, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier, Evaded
Albach,
Anthony T, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action
Hatfield,
John F, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner, Killed In Action
Preno, Edward J,
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Richardson, George M, Sergeant, Waist Gunner,
Killed In Action
Lynch, John F, Sergeant,
Tail Gunner, Prisoner of War
Bombardier
Lt. George Mikels was the only other survivor
from this crew – his status as an evader is
likely the reason Sgt Lynch believed he was the
crew’s only survivor. Lt Mikels was captured,
but escaped and made his way back to Allied
control. A copy of the Missing Air Crew Report,
including Lt Mikels’ account of his capture and
subsequent escape, is being sent by separate
e-mail.
Sorry, we have no photograph of
Sgt Lynch or the listed crew – if you have, or
are aware of a photo of him or his crew, we
would be grateful for a copy to add to our
archives. Any help would be very much
appreciated. We are sending a photo of the
aircraft Sgt Lynch was aboard for his 1st combat
mission, on August 11, that aircraft being
42-97302, “Scotch N’ Soda”. That photo will also
be sent by separate e-mail.
This response
will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information.
Responding 4
12/23/2009
Kent
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