B26.COM 2008 Guest book - dedicated to Martin B-26 Marauder Men.

Date:: 5/7/08
Time:: 9:23 PM

First Lieutenant Christian Douglas Burger "CD" was killed in action on D-Day, June 6, 1944, over England. His aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision with another B-26 Marauder Bomber. This story is about what happened to his wife and children after this tragic death. Read more...
Date:: 5/5/08
Time:: 9:14 PM

May 8 is VE Day. This day is a national holiday in France, and many French communities remember the war's end 68 years ago with parades and ceremonies. This year the Franco-American Association of the L'aisne region will once more gather at a monument in Athies-Samoussy that is dedicated to the sacrifices of the airmen of the 323rd Bomb Group, which was stationed at the nearby Laon-Athies Airdrome from November 1944 to February 1945. Last year Lt. Col. Lou Rehr (323rd BG, 456th BS) and I were privileged to participate in the remembrance at this monument and an adjacent one honoring fallen French soldiers. This year, Daniel Buret, president of the association, asked Lou to send a message. Dan has translated the following and will read it at the ceremony. Carleton Rehr Greetings to our dear friends on this historic day. None of us who lived with the war will forget this day, May 8, 1945. On this fateful day, 68 years ago, I was stationed at Denain-Prouvy Airdrome, Valenciennes , France . In February 1945, my bomb group, the 323rd, moved our operations from Samoussy to be closer to our bombing sites in Germany . On April 25, we launched our last mission. Shortly after, the tyranny of fascism was ending with the execution of Mussolini and the suicide of Hitler. On May 7, I was informed of the surrender, and I celebrated privately with a few officers. The following day, the rest of the world knew. Our men celebrated well into the night. I preferred to spend that day quietly. I drove my jeep to the runway to spend time with the Marauders. I loved those battered heroes, those survivors of historic combat missions in Normandy , Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Some had over 100 missions to their credit, and their scarred and dented skins looked it. Lined up and ready to taxi, they still looked fast and mean. But taxi and launch to where? The war was over, and we were all tired. I have recalled my war experiences in my book, Marauder. And as you must know because I have returned so often, the memories of my time at Laon-Athies are the most meaningful. The missions, the cold, the last German offensive demanded much of our youthful spirit. For you, our dear French friends, the occupation demanded much sacrifice and courage. We treasure our friendship with the Franco-American Association. And we are eternally grateful for the beautiful monument dedicated to the sacrifices of our fallen airmen. Although Carleton and I are not with you in body this May 8, we are with you in spirit. Here in Hawaii, we will display both the American and French flags in honor of this day. A bientot. Until we meet again. Lt. Col. Louis Rehr Squadron Commander 456th Bomb Squadron 323rd Bomb Group
Date:: 5/3/08
Time:: 3:20 PM

French Class #4, Martin B-26 Marauder Combat Crews, January 4, 1945, Barksdale Field, Louisiana

Merci pour nous aider indiquent l'histoire les hommes du Marauder de FFAF. Peut-être plus les hommes du Marauder de FFAF suivront votre exemple. Aidez-nous à nommer les hommes dans l'image. Merci.


Date:: 5/2/08
Time:: 10:00 PM

Marauderman's Name: James Harwood Wagar
Bomb Group: 320th
Bomb Squadron: 443rd
Years in service:?
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location:?
Hello, I am looking for any information on my late grandfather Lt. Col. James H. Wagar (Ret.) This is what I know. His plane was "The Termite" and he was the bombardier. I have seen one really grainy picture of the aircraft but know very little of the history of the plane or the man in that era. Anything that anyone can tell me would be extremely appreciated. Anything anything anything. Their logo is the attachment.

Thank you,
Mark Borland
320th Bomb Group, 443rd Bomb Squadron patch (insignia)
Date:: 5/2/08
Time:: 8:52 PM

Marauderman's Name: Joseph Gisavage Born: Brooklyn, NY Bomb Group: 344 Bomb Squadron: 496 Comments: Gunner/Engineer, KIA June 10, 1944
Hi, my Grandfather was Walter Gisavage of Brooklyn, NY. He was Joseph Gisavage's brother. I just came across your web site and was deeply touched by the web page dedicated to his B26 and crew. My Grandfather was very close to his brother and never got over his death. I have Joseph's Purple Heart and other medals hanging in my living room. I am happy to correspond with other descendants of his crew, Lt. Herman L. Burdette, Lt. Dale W. Edwards, Lt. Albert L. Collins, S/Sgt. Marshall H. Porter and S/Sgt. Sherrard Billings. Once again, thank you for remembering these brave men. Click here for additional information about SSGT Joseph Gisavage.

Best regards, Pete Doll
Date:: 5/2/08
Time:: 6:40 PM

Marauderman's Name: George C Skinner, S/Sgt, armorer gunner/togglier
Bomb Group: 397th
Bomb Squadron: 599th
Comments: I am looking for anyone that knew my Dad, S/SGT George C Skinner, armorer gunner and togglier, or any info about him or the Group he was in. I have photos that I need to dig out of storage and can forward once I have them scanned.

Thanks, Michael Skinner
Date:: 4/29/08
Time:: 7:23 AM

I am looking for crew photo or partial photos of Paul H Jones crew of 1st Pathfinder squadron, shot down on March 2, 1945. Plane 42-95933.

Thanks,
Peter Kassak
Date:: 4/28/08
Time:: 12:45 AM

My grandfather 1st Lt. Leonard Aldridge Clifton was assigned to this unit as Military Police. He was a career soldier, first starting off with the First Cavalry. in 1919. On December 9, 1944, he was killed when a B-26 carrying a full load, crashed in flames after returning from an operational mission, My grandfather rushed to the scene of the accident and began pulling wounded men from the plane and taking them to safety. He persisted in his efforts to save the crew and try and extinguish the flames, knowing that the plane had a full load of bombs. He was killed when the plane exploded as well as about 24 others. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal and Purple Heart. He is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, He was first interred in France then later brought home. He left behind a loving wife and two young sons who have always missed their father. I just wanted to tell his story. I have attached the last studio type picture we had of him. -Thank you, Kimberly Clifton Jones



Kimberly, definitely 387th Bomb Group. Lt James Altman and crew returned with 16 x 250lb bombs on board in poor visibility. Caught in prop wash crashed 60 yards short of runway. Fuel tanks detonated and 14 of 16 bombs exploded. Twenty officers and enlisted men were killed, the 559th Bomb Squadron lost its commanding officer Major Robert M Murphy. -Trevor Allen
Date:: 4/23/08
Time:: 6:42 PM

Greetings, I have a relative that has been contacted by the Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command regarding Capt. Stephen Biezis from Chicago, that was shot down Dec. 22, 1944 over Germany.

He was a pilot from Chicago that was assigned to the 391st Bomber Group Medium of the 575th Bomber Squadron. Anyone that may have known him please contact me, I was contacted by his sister 4-21-08 as she was recently contacted by the Joint POW-MIA Accounting Group form the Dept. of the Army, we will both be sending DNA to them for possible identification as the crash site has been located and remains are attempting to identified.

If any crewmembers remember Capt Stephen Biezis, please contact me, his Father was a WWI veteran and I was an Army Combat Medic in Vietnam.

Thank you,
John “Doc” Hofer
Additional information from George James.
Here are the crew names, as I have them (they were in the 575th): Pilot: GATLIN, JAMES F., JR., 2LT, XXXX331 Co-pilot: BIEZIS, STEPHEN V., 2LT, XXXX021 Bombardier: ADAIR, JOHN J., 2LT, XXXX676 Flight Engineer: SANCHEZ, JOE R., CPL, XXXX0993 Radioman-gunner: WEISSKER, WILLIAM L., SSGT, XXXX0304 Armorer-gunner: COWART, MILTON E., SGT, XXXX0494 They were shot down on Dec 23, 1944 on the Ahrweiler mission on which we lost 16 out of 30 airplanes. The comments that I have in the website (from Col. Walker's histories, etc.) follow: "Lt Gatlin was shot down on 12/23/44 in #42-107671 per the softback history. He is listed on the Wall of the Missing in the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery. From the hardback history, one can infer that the other crew members were Lt Biezis (Wall, Henri-Chapelle Cemetery), SSgt Sanchez (Wall, Luxembourg Cemetery), SSgt Weissker and SSgt Cowart (both buried in the Lorraine Cemetery), and Lt. Adair. Lt. Adair was the only survivor of his crew; he reports in "Who Dat?" that the other members of the crew were killed on the ground by SS troops; "Return of the Marauder Men" gives their date of death as 12/24/44. Weissker and Cowart must have died in the shootdown, as their date of death is given as the 23rd." Casualties were listed on a Wall of the Missing, if their remains were not recovered. I do not know whether Lt Adair is still living. You can find out whether he is a member of the 391st BG Association by contacting Walt Slovensky. I would appreciate hearing how this turns out. George James
Date:: 4/17/08
Time:: 8:42 PM

I am interested in contacting anyone of my first crew. We had OTU at Barksdale. The first plane was named Truman's Folly and later became Scars and Gripes (for obvious reasons.) The crew was Dawson P, Curnane CP. Schuenke Bomb/Nav, Wadell AMG. Devlin ROMG, Galway ARG. I am Lt/Col Russell Schuenke USAF (Ret). the Bom/Nav of that crew.

Mike, Nels Cassano is correct, Truman's Folly was not renamed. "Scars N' Gripes" was 41-35042 VT-P. First mission 3rd June 1944 and survived to VE Day. Trevor Allen
Date:: 4/15/08
Time:: 7:23 PM

I am looking for anyone that knew my father, Phil "Dude" Notaro, 387 Bomb Group, 559 Bomb Squadron. I have one name, Picarillo, and a few pictures. Please write back to me. Thank you! -Jim Notaro

Yes, Mr. Lawrence F. Picariello, wife Mary, status unknown. Do you have The History of the 559th Bomb Squadron? You can get a copy of it here:

Ask for Jerry:
Insty-Prints
509 Market Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 222-6111
http://www.insty1.com
Date:: 4/8/08
Time:: 10:53 PM

S/Sgt Lacey A. Schrader, Navigator/Bombardier
17th Bomb Gp. 432nd Bomb Sq.
B-26 #177914
Down in Med. Sea 11 March 1943, only plane lost by the 17th BG between
2/24/43 and 7/3/43

His family would like to hear from anyone who knew or has information about his before or during the No. African. Thank you, Lacey's little brother. William J. Schrader

Here is the information I have available regarding this Marauder and S/Sgt. Schrader: 41-17914 "Defiant" of 17th BG 432nd BS was shot down in the Mediterranean Sea on March 11th 1943, by enemy fighters; Pilot Lt. Daniel C. Logan. The mission was a sea sweep led by Captain C. H. Diamond of 95th BS, he led "twelve B-26's on one of those tricky sea sweeps today. Six planes went in at 5000 feet, and six went in on the deck. A convoy consisting of Seibel Ferries was sighted by both elements. Despite the presence of numerous Ju-88's and Me-109's, they dropped their bombs, but most of them fell short. Only one ferry was seen to be smoking. With so much enemy fighter interference, the best they could do was head for home. Lt. Logan, 432nd Bomb Squadron, and his crew were shot down. Six men were seen swimming in the blue Mediterranean, and seven life rafts were dropped to them." 41-17914 was listed with 24 missions, MACR #8959. 41-17914 was one of the "original" 17th BG Marauders as listed on Operations Orders Number 35 of November 17, 1942. Pilot on flight from USA to MTO was Lt. Logan. S/Sgt Lacey A. Schrader was Navigator-Bombardier on the original crew of 41-17878, named "Bat Outa Hell". The 17th BG was based at Telergma, Algeria during the first months of 1943.

Best regards, Alf Egil Johannessen
Date:: 4/7/08
Time:: 7:25 PM

Marauderman's Name: Robert Figueroa
Bomb Group: 322nd [ search the site ]
Bomb Squadron: 449th
Years in service: ?
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: 1st Lt. Robert Figueroa was a bombardier/navigator stationed in France and Belgium in 43-45. He flew a few of his 24 missions on “Flak Bait”. Just wondering if any of his crewmates are out there. -Michael Figueroa
Date:: 4/5/08
Time:: 1:50 PM

Who wrote this text? Recently sold online and donated anonymously to us, we'd like to know who wrote it. "ME-109's MISTAKE: ATTACKS MARAUDER A few days ago the first Me-109 to attack a crack Marauder finished at the bottom of the Channel. The Streak piloted by Capt. Clay was toiling home on one engine when the German pursuit far below zoomed up to cut down the isolated cripple. As he reared up with spitting guns astern, the American ship, Staff Sergeant George R. Anderson, a Californian, turned on his twin "choppers" in the tail turret and blew the attacker in half. Besides the career of the Colonel, the Streaks take most pride in their association with Gen. Doolittle's famous Tokyo raid, Lt. Col. Bob Witty, 28, of Cleveland, Ohio, a former newspaperman and father of twin boys and second in command of the group, was among t o original volunteers for and planners of the Tokyo mission, but to his eternal regret was one of the historic group in a Minneapolis Hotel who offered to go but he was turned down..." Read more...
Date:: 4/4/08
Time:: 10:00 PM

Hi - I know Nick Palmer, B26 test pilot, he often flew with another pilot known as "JJ". Anyone who knew Nick should say hi because he is on his last legs. -Thanks, John Apol
Date:: 4/3/08
Time:: 7:07 PM

Here are some crew photos from my dad's album. Lt. Dwight Edwards Bombardier/Navigator on the Shirley Bee II 323 Bomb Group, 456 Bomb Squadron. -Glenn Edwards
Date:: 4/1/08
Time:: 8:39 PM

To All: it is my sad duty to inform all those of you in my father's outlook address book that as of 20:34, March 27, 2008 hours Col Hugh H. Walker USAF Ret. passed away.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Hugh A. Walker
Date:: 4/1/08
Time:: 7:49 PM

Marauderman's Name: Dan Fulton
Bomb Group: 391st
Bomb Squadron: 575th
Years in service: 3
Graduation Class: 44F
Class Location: Lubbock, TX
Comments: I was Copilot with J.N. Brooks, Pilot; Bill Maxon, Bombardier: Bob Beale, Flight Engineer; C Broussard, Radioman Gunner, Joe Burns, Tail Gunner. The crew was formed at Barksdale Field and we trained at Lake Charles, LA. We had the privilege of flying a brand new ship from Gunter Field, GA to Burtonwood, England via the southern route. We joined the 391st at Roie Amie in January, 1945 and flew 25 missions together. The B-26 was the finest of aircraft and I enjoyed every minute spent in the air.
Date:: 3/31/08
Time:: 3:26 PM

Hello All at B26, I was hoping to contact by email Mr. Croote or anyone associated with SAAF 12 Sqdn. My late father, 2nd Lt. Neville Pentz was the Navigator/Bomb Aimer crewing for pilot (not sure of correct rank) Lt. Dave Dent who was awarded the DFC. This, for returning their badly damaged Marauder “Nemesis” across the Adriatic in 1944, after a bombing run over Yugoslavia, for an emergency landing on a P51 Mustang SAAF airfield base at Bari, Italy. A young fighter pilot there, photographed my Dad’s craft up on blocks and chocks ready for repairs. About 18 months later, in the company of my future parents and future aunt who the pilot would later marry, unknowingly produced a snapshot of a “hacked up” B26 he had taken. Lt. Derrick Hattingh had taken a pic of his future brother-in-law plane. Will send a photo of this plane as soon as it is scanned.

All the best.
Sincerely,
Peter Pentz
Date:: 3/29/08
Time:: 12:51 AM

I have a picture of the banner the 555th BS hung on the Liberty Ship "Conrad Weisser" as it brought them into I think Newport News shortly after VE Day. I got it from a still living Army crew member who sailed numerous voyages on this Liberty Ship. Let me know if anyone wants me to send it and where. -Tom Sheehan


Date:: 3/28/08
Time:: 10:19 AM

2nd Lt John H. Work
Bomb Group 22nd M
Hq Sq
Years 1940 ( U.S. Army Air Corps.)
1941 B-26 Pilot
Graduation Class 40-H Glendale , California
Orders to Randolph Field , Texas

My mom’s first husband was killed on December 18, l941 after the war broke out and crashed in Muroc, CA . He was previously in Va. at Langley Field when he received orders to fly to Muroc in the California Desert to protect the California coast. I know his plane and all aboard were killed. The plane was #40-1494. Did any of these planes have nose art? (too early)? I saw a picture in my mom’s memory book of a cartoon with a girl on the plane named “Pursuit to Happiness” with the number “39” on the tale. Does this mean anything?

I also have sent letters and a picture of 2nd Lt John H. Work for a 22nd Bomb Group reunion for later this year.

Thanks in advance,
Angie Ryan
Date:: 3/25/08
Time:: 2:15 PM

Hi B26 Friends -

Please forgive my ignorance, but wondering if I'm on the right track, or if not - if someone could give me a shove in the right direction in finding more information on my uncle, death in on 4 July 1943 on a training mission outside of Poteet, TX, in an RB-26, in which he was a corporal, apparently serving as a flight engineer? I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't even know the relationship (if any) between an RB-26 and a B-26...<blush>. But here's the information, FWIW:

Marauderman's Name: David Anthony PULRANG
Bomb Group: (Pilot's name Elvyn Lyle ROBERTS - Plane's Serial Number: 40-1367
Bomb Squadron: 877 TEFTS
Years in service: 1
Graduation Class: unknown
Class Location: Home base Laughlin Field - Del Rio, TX
Comments: Crashed 10 miles N or W of Poteet, TX, during a training mission - structural failure. (TRAINING on 4th of July?? Perhaps air show for buddies?)

Any guidance greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
Angela Major Pellerin
Date:: 3/21/08
Time:: 5:29 PM

I am attempting to establish reference to a bombing sortie in December 1944 (Battle of the Bulge) wherein my father in law Russell Anys, (455 Squadron, 323 Group) who was the Radio Gunner, on a crew Captained by Reid Pulver was successful in eliminating a Company of German SS troops numbering 1900 soldiers. His crew was subsequently advised that they would be awarded the DFC. The award was never forthcoming resulting from a mistake made by the reporting officer whom Russ says was a "washout" officer who had developed a severe drinking problem resultant from combat stress.

Russ is still living and has vivid memories of the mission which he remembers happening on December 26th or 27th. After the mission Capt. Pulver's crew was called in and told they were to be awarded the DFC as a result of their actions. Knowing that the military records of the time have perished in the fire of 1973 and knowing that there probably is no record of the award anyway, can you help us in establishing this award for a most deserving hero of WW II.

Joe Lyons

Joe, your father-in-lay Russell Anys Didn’t fly any missions on 12/27/44. However he flew two missions on 12/26/44. The first was to Houffalize , Belgium in the morning and the second to Pronsfeld, Belgium in the afternoon. The mission you are interested in was the fist one in the morning which was against “German Strong Points” I will send you copies of all the mission records. Regrettably I didn’t find any award or promotion papers concerning the DFC for your father-in-law. When the 323rd BG was moved from the 8th AF to the 9th AF these records stopped appearing in the 323rd BG files. My guess is that they are probably part of 9th AF records someplace. I still am looking for them. In trying to get the DFC for you father-in-law, I would suggest starting with father-in-law’s local congressman. Good Luck Roy Bozych Historian 323rd BG & 454th BS
Date:: 3/19/08
Time:: 5:49 PM

Dear Guenter, I saw the request for information here on the B-26 SN 43-34424. My uncle, Leroy Luno, was on that plane. I’ve attached the crash report for you, its lists all the crew members and unfortunately, all were killed on impact. The crash happened September, 10th, 1945. Can you let me know what pieces you found? My mother was told there was a fire on impact and what little personal effects of my uncle that were returned to his family were burned and still smelled of smoke. I would appreciate any information you could give me. Since this was not a mission during the war, the crew was put together for the flight and probably no pictures exist. - James Stearns
Date: 3/24/2007 Time: 7:14 PM Hello! On Sept. 10th, 1945, RB-26 43-34424 crashed into a mountainside at Trauchgau, Germany. This B-26 was en route from Florennes to Schleissheim. Some weeks ago serval parts from this B-26 were found und recovered by a local citizen. On March 4th, 2007, she forwarded the parts to the Bavarian-Aviation-Historians at Schleissheim Airfield. The parts will be cleaned and conserving during the next weeks. Finally they will be exposed together with some accompanying documents at the local Aviation Museum at Schleissheim Airfield. For preparing the documentation we would we very happy for any additional information, especially pictures of the crew members and the plane. Best Regards, Guenter Braun Chairman Bavarian-Aviation-Historians James Stearns, The database at Aviation Archaeology .com says this a/c 43-34424 was a 344th BG 495th BS Marauder. Pilot was Captain Jerald M. Davies of 344th BG 495th BS. He is buried at the Netherlands Cemetery in Margraten, Holland. Other 344th BG 495th BS crew members found listed at ABMC with DOD 09.10.1945 are: F/O Leroy L. Luno (Lorraine Cemetery, France) 1st Lt. Flourney L. Choate, Jr. (Lorraine Cemetery, France) F/O Albert C. Frederick (Lorraine Cemetery, France) M/Sgt. Pugh G. Rogers (Lorraine Cemetery, France). M/Sgt. Rogers was the original Crew Chief of 42-95924 (Frieburger crew) Y5-D "Rum Buggy". This Marauder crashlanded at Great Dunmow on May 26th 1944. Best regards, Alf Egil Johannessen
Date:: 3/18/08
Time:: 10:18 PM

I have a picture of my father standing by the " Sexy Betsy " on the back it says first mission to France -Nov. 28 '43 Great Dunmow, "GEE" equipment . Dad wore the WW11 radio technician patch. He was trained in radar as well. He had the troop Carrier patch, airborne tab and First Allied Airborne Army. His records were part of the fire and I am trying to find his unit. Dad is dead and talk very little about the war . It has been suggested that in '43 he was part of the 386th however in Feb. of "44 he assigned to the 50th TCC. On D-day he beamed backed the radar for the planes before the main force. A notation says the words radar Pathfinding. Any information will be most appreciated on Sgt. Charles G. Walker.

Respectfully yours,
Deborah Walker Thompson

"Sexy Betsy" was the name of a B-26 Marauder of 386th BG 555th BS, serial 41-35358, YA-V. According to one source it served with 386th BG from February 1944. I have checked 386th BG roster, but Sgt. Charles G. Walker is not listed there. Mission #46 Chivres A/D on November 29th 1943 from Great Dunmow, mission #45 on Nov 26th 1943. Is your photo of "Sexy Betsy" same aircraft as attachment here?

You mention 50th TCC, assume you mean 50th Troop Carrier Wing, IXth Troop Carrier Command (TCC). 50th TCW was part of Ist TCC (First Allied Airborne Army ?), which joined IXth TCC in UK in September/October 1943. Ist Troop Carrier Command was established on April 30th 1942, Brigadier General Frederick W. Evans was head of Ist TCC, HQ Stout Field, Indianapolis, May 1942.

Bases were located here:
Bergstrom Field, Austin, TX
Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base, Maxton, NC
Grenada Army Air Field, Grenada, MS
Sedalia Army Air Field, Knobnoster, MO
Pope Field, Fort Bragg, NC
Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN
Lawson Field, Fort Benning, GA
Bowman Field, Louisville, KY
Alliance Army Air Base, Alliance, NE

50th TCW consisted of four Troop Carrier Groups, based at Bottesford, UK, from November 1943, and Exeter from April 1944 (squadron codes in parentheses, painted on nose of the C-47's / C-53's. Any C-47 photo you might have showing squadron code is important for your search.

439th TCG: 87th TCS (3X); 88th TCS (M2); 89th TCS (4U); 90th TCS (Q7)
440th TCG: 95th TCS (9X); 96th TCS (6Z); 97th TCS (W6); 98th TCS (8Y)
441st TCG: 99th TCS (3J); 100th TCS (8C); 301st TCS (Z4); 302nd TCS (2L)
442nd TCG:303rd TCS (J7); 304th TCS (V4); 305th TCS (4J); 306th TCS (7H)

But as you mention Radar pathfinding, your father might have been with IX Air Force Carrier Command Pathfinder School/Pathfinder Group (Provisional). For squarons based at Cottesmore, UK, from February 1944, when it was formed, and at North Witham from March 1944.
Sgt Walker is not listed among the 386th BG men which became part of 1st Pathfinder Squadron in February 1944 (see attachments).

On D-Day the Pathfinders went first from North Witham for Mission Albany (101st A/B) at 21:30 PM, for Mission Boston (82nd A/B) Pathfinders took off at 22.30 PM.

Best regards from Norway,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Date:: 3/18/08
Time:: 1:26 PM

Good day, I have my late father’s flight logbook, William “Bob” John Crichton, a B26 pilot, and pictures that he took during the last year of the war, including those taken during missions. He was based in North Africa . Would anyone be interested copies of either?

Regards
Alan Crichton
Date:: 3/17/08
Time:: 5:27 PM

I am Joseph Elmer Hasty's sister, he died of heart Attack in 1956, and I was with my brother and his wife and new born son in 1942 at Augusta, GA when he was transferred to MacDill Air Force in Tampa, Florida - we followed him.

Enclosed is a picture with him in it and I am seeking information on the plane's name and the nose art on it. I have been told it was" The Mississippi Mud Cat " and that it flew 24 missions over Germany and was shot down and the crew escaped and the Pilot was killed. The nose Art couldn't be identified. My brother is 5th man on third row from bottom left.

Mildred Hasty Burks

Mississippi Mudcat was 41-31657 TQ-W of 387th BG 559th BS. Shot down by fighters on December 23rd 1944 on it's 153rd combat mission:

MACR 11465. The formation was attacked by 15 to 25 Me-109's and FW 190's 10 miles East of Bastogne on that mission for Mayen R/R Bridge, at around 11 AM. The 387th BG gunners shot down two German fighters and two more were seen streaking away in flames. The aerial combat lasted for about twenty minutes, according to Joe Eaton, 559th BS:

Crew members:
Pilot 2nd Lt Vernon O. Staub
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Elgin Shirley Scobell
Bombardier 2nd Lt. William H. C. Doyle
Radio-Gunner S/Sgt. Leonard R. Werner
Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt Marvin Paul Geist
Tail Gunner Sgt. Richard Furneaux Wyman
Extra Tail Gunner Cpl. Otto P. Siciliano

Other names associated with "Mississippi Mudcat":
Harris Allison Walker; Pilot
Don Whitsett; Co-Pilot, Walker Crew.

Regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Date:: 3/13/08
Time:: 7:31 PM

Date:
12/26/2006
Time:
5:52 PM
I’m seeking any information and leads which will allow me to better understand and memorialize, for our family, the circumstances surrounding the death of my maternal Uncle “Gib” during a combat mission while flying in a B-26.

Marauderman's Name: 2nd Lt. Gilbert T. Bennett, bombardier/navigator B-26 Marauder.
Bomb Group: Unknown
Bomb Squadron: Unknown
Years in service: Shot down and killed February 13, 1945
Graduation Class: Unknown
Class Location: Unknown
Comments:

Dear B26.COM GUESTBOOK, Re: Post above

This past week I happened to search the internet for my father's name and was surprised to find a letter on B26.COM where his name was used in answer to a query for more "information and leads which will allow me to better understand and memorialize, for our family, the circumstances surrounding the death of my maternal Uncle "Gib" during a combat mission while flying in a B-26." from Jack Wood dated 12/26/06.

Please forward this email to Jack Wood in answer to his query.

My father Emil Uhlig passed away in 1992 but we have kept in contact with Jeston Weeks. In fact just a few years ago, Mr. Weeks sent our family a lengthy letter detailing his and my father's war experiences. There is a section of the document that talks about the mission of February 13, 1945, their parachuting from the plane, capture by the German's and 14 months spent in a POW camp.

I spoke with Mr. Weeks this evening and he does not have access to a computer. He said that just a few years ago he met with Mike Dobda and Archie Sink, the pilot and copilot of the plane, and they compared their remembrances of that day and came to a consensus as to what happened.

Mr. Weeks said that if you were to supply a mailing address he would write you a letter detailing what happened on that day and specifically what happened to your uncle. If you do not feel comfortable supplying a mailing address, please forward me an email address and I will have Mr. Weeks send the letter to me to forward to you.

Sincerely,
Carol Uhlig

Note that Mr. Weeks also gave me permission to share the document he gave my family on his and my father's war experiences with your B26 historian. I, also, have photos that I can forward for his collection. Please let me know how I may contact Trevor Allen.
Date:: 3/13/08
Time:: 5:26 AM

Sgt Robert Frank Birch
USAAF 8th Air Force
Tail Gunner in a B-26 Bomber. ”The Buzzin Half Dozen”
Served from 43-45
Flew 33 missions out of Belgium
Shot down once over Germany and escaped
Claim to fame was sneaking off with his pilot to the French Riviera where the MP's took him back home!!!

I am trying to find if anyone has heard of the B-26 called the Buzzin Half Dozen. My Granddad recently passed away and that was his plane. Sgt Robert F. Birch of Ft Smith Arkansas .

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Rob Birch
Date:: 3/11/08
Time:: 11:34 PM

Still trying to locate a diary entry, logbook, photograph or letters from Marauder Men containing information about the REAL "Ginny Lou" located on Hank Moen's page. I've received some additional responses from my modelling website. Paul Clouting wrote: "41-31870 was coded YU-D of the 455th BS, and I have no nose name associated with this serial. I am more than happy to share the second Iceland picture, although I am not sure which one was the second picture. There were two pictures of Meeks Field, Iceland. Regards Paul"

Also Migon Mims, editor of the 323BG's newspaper and the daughter of "Robert Mims" of the 455BS wrote:

"I found the Ginny Lou listed on our roster. It did not list an aircraft number, but I will look further when I have time. It did list a different crew as follows: Pilot-Lloyd McFadden; C0-Pilot- Herb H. Smith; Navigator/Bombardier- Uldereco Santoro; Engineer Turret Gunner- W.D. Minshew; Radio Operator/Waist Gunner- Joe F. Lyons; Tail Gunner- Harvey P. Souther

I have all of the men listed below in the picture listed as members of the 455th but with a different plane. Different crews flew different planes. The plane they are listed under has an aircraft number and it is 41-31870 (YU-D) but it does not list the name of the plane.. I am wondering if the crew I have listed under Ginny Lou could be the same plane as your crew below listed as 41-31870 (YU-D) on my roster. In other words the aircraft number listed for your crew could be for the same plane, Ginny Lou.

Hope this helps.
Mignon

PS At least this might give you a time frame to go by since the crew you listed is under this aircraft number you would be able to tell when they entered service. The pilot in the middle, front row looks familiar, but Dad did not recognize and of them."

Finally, here's what Roy Bozych the 323rd Bomb Group historian wrote:

"went through all of the mission records I could find the Whitman crew while they were at Beaulieu. There were seven of them, they are listed below:

41-34908 YU-A 7/24
548 YU-O 7/30
41-34942 YU-U 7/31 Jolly Roger
41-31772 YU-C 8/5 Hazel
42-107692 YU-F 8/9
41-34952 YU-Q 8/15 Anhuac Lion
41-31772 YU-C 8/5 Hazel

Four can be eliminated because they already have names. It is possible for a plane to be renamed or have two names but let’s assume for the moment that they didn’t do that. So that leaves us with three un-named planes:

41-34908 YU-A 7/24
548 YU-O 7/30
42-107692 YU-F 8/9

548 YU-O flown on 7/30/44 can also be dropped from the list. I have not yet been able to find any documentation to complete the serial number. Since this was one of the newer planes that were added to the Squadron either in 44 or 45 and the Meeks picture was from May of 43 it doesn’t fit the time frame.

If you look at the nose of “Ginny Lou” in the picture there is some identifying information. You will notice that there are two 50 caliber guns mounted in the nose. One in the standard center swivel position and one fixed near the base of the nose. It almost looks like an aircraft pilot tube. The extra fixed 50 caliber gun was only on the B-26C models starting with the B-26C-5 and ending in the middle of the B-26C-25 run.

41-34908 YU-A is a B-26C-15 and 42-107692 YU-F was a B-26C-45 model.

The serial number production run for the B-26C-45-MO was 42-107497 to 42-107830.

That would make 42-107692 the 195th B-26 out of a run of 333. Since the fixed 50 cal was eliminated during the middle of this run, probably by this time (#195) they had stopped installing them. Also the 42 in serial number 42-107692 indicates the year in which the US government signed the contracts to build that block of aircraft. Not necessarily the year the aircraft was made. So for the contact to be signed in 1942 and then have the aircraft completed, modified, tested, delivered and outfitted to fly overseas by May of 1943 is highly unlikely.

So that only leaves us with 41-34908 YU-A. There was kind of an informal tradition that you would have you usually have your picture taken as a crew in front of the aircraft on one of your early missions. Since this was their 1st mission flown out of Beaulieu, England it all seems to fit. Also mail back to the States at that time was taking two to three weeks. So even if the picture was taken at the end of July, by the time it got back home and someone put it in a scrapbook with a note it would have been August.

So based on all the above, I would say that 41-34908, YU-A Is “Ginny Lou” If anyone has any more compelling evidence, I’m open to suggestions.

Roy Bozych
Historian
323rd BG/454th BS"
So, it appears I have three possible choices so far for Ginny Lou: 1. 41-31870 coded YU-D 2. 41-34908 coded YU-A 3. 41-34952 coded YU-Q, also named Anahuac Lion (possibly on left side of aircraft). Roy has Moen and crew flying this while in England, when the picture was taken. Trevor also had this serial as Ginny in some of his documentation. I've also been able to get additional pictures and logs from Gen Moen's father, including photos of the taxi accident 41-31870 and Moen's crew were involved in. As soon as I can, I will scan them as well as the original crew photo. Take care, Jay
Date:: 3/11/08
Time:: 11:34 PM

Marauderman's Name: Charles D. Lynch
Bomb Group: 386
Bomb Squadron: 553
Years in service: 43-45
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: This is a request from his daughter, to ask for any/all info that anyone would have on the men in flight team. He was an engineer/gunner on "hard luck", "mad Russian", and other b-26's. Any information/history/stories/contacts would be greatly appreciated. He is 91 years old and alive and well! -Thank you, Denise

Check out Chester Klier's page
Date:: 3/10/08
Time:: 10:28 PM

I'm reporting that one of World War two's finest B-26 pilots James E. Gonyer passed away on Feb. 28th at the age of 86! I will miss him! Marauder man Floyd Mauth
Date:: 3/10/08
Time:: 8:13 PM

I am writing in recognition of Staff Sergeant Gideon Long. He used to make the trip to California for every reunion , well , he is gone now but lives on in my memories , he was a hydraulics mechanic in the 323rd Bomb Group 455th bomb squadron , I remember making a model plane of the B-26 Bomber with his name below the cockpit , and seeing the look on his face when I gave it to him, it was priceless, so was he, and all of our heroes that gave and risk their lives for our freedom! -David
Date:: 3/10/08
Time:: 3:41 PM

In your guest book of 2003 there is a message from a Mr. Brian Pitre about his uncle Ray E. Pitre.

I'm a Portuguese researcher finishing a book about aircraft that landed or crashed in Portugal during that period. I have some interesting documents about this case that I can share with the family, if they are interested.

I'm also interested in having pictures or stories about this or any other case related with Portugal. There where a couple of B-26's that landed or crashed in here.

I have some reports from the American Legation about the accident, with details about the accident and burials of the crew members. The case created one internal inquiry because the activity of the air attaché was questioned by the secretary of state in the US. I have no problem in sharing this info with the family and also with you. Although I would like to ask you to keep this papers for you only in the next months. My book is coming out near the end of the year and I have dedicated one entire chapter's to this case.

I have also information about other b-26's that landed or crashed in Portugal during this period. they are:

DATA LOCAL TIPO_AP NUMERO_AP INFO
21-02-1944 PORTELA AIRPORT- LISBON MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER 42-96104

2ND FERRYING GROUP FORCE
23-07-1943 QUARTEIRA - in the sea MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER, 41-35150

89th FERRYING GROUP FORCE
12-12-1944 PORTELA AIRPORT- LISBON MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER, 43-22284

Unknown bomb group/squadron
19-07-1943 PORTELA AIRPORT- LISBON MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER, 41-35037

Unknown bomb group/squadron
25-10-1944 VIEIRA DE LEIRIA - in the sea MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER, 41-32014

From the second plane - the one from Quarteira - I have the death certificates from 3 crew members and also a copy of one of the thank you notes published in on of the local papers after the big funerals that took place in the city of Faro. I can send copies to you if you want it and they can be forwarded in your website immediately if you want. I put the note because I'm interested specially in pictures of this crew members.

Any information about another case is also welcomed.

Best regards
Carlos Guerreiro
Date:: 3/8/08
Time:: 5:51 PM

My wife and I were looking through old photos today and found identifying info on her father: I went on-line and found your site so here goes and hope you can help us with further details on his life and service with the 323d Bomb Group: Marauderman’s name: Francis S. Carney, - Army Serial #: XXXXX610 Bomb Group: 323 Bomb Squadron: 456th? Years in Service: 10 June 1941 to 28 September 1945 Graduation Class: unknown Class Location : unknown Comments: Also known as “Whitey” and as Patrick Francis Carney. MOS: Radio Mechanic, believe assigned to RAF. Honorable Discharge, with Battles and Campaigns listed as : Normandy , Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Air Offensive Europe, Central Europe, wounded in France 1944. Decorations and Citations: American Defense Service Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 1 Silver Battle Star & 1 Bronze Battle Star, 3 Overseas Services Bars, 1 Service Stripe, & Good Conduct Medal. Hope the attached photos can contribute some additional information and bring back some additional memories from his old service buddies. We would very much appreciate any further details you or your readers may be able to provide. He had three children, Kathleen, Patricia & James Carney. Thanks for your time and help, and especially for the information you have provided already. Kathleen Carney Beltran & Steve Beltran
Date:: 3/6/08
Time:: 5:36 PM

Marauderman's Name: Fred N. McConnell
Bomb Group: 386th
Bomb Squadron: 555th
Years in service: 3
Graduation Class: 44-C
Class Location: Blackland
Comments: My father's information. Although he's very much alive & kicking, he hasn't touched a computer in his life (84 years). I know he did B-26 training at Del Rio and I believe left one on the runway there when a main wasn't locked upon landing. Flew combat in both B-26 and the A-26. Would be interested in hearing from anyone that remembers him! -Mark McConnell
Date:: 3/4/08
Time:: 10:48 PM

I am Niles Bruno, the son of Capt. Nicholas J Bruno MD, who was the flight surgeon for the 449BS, 322BG for several years in England, France and Belgium. He returned to Chicago and set up his practice there and practiced general medicine until he died in 1982. I have been trying to contact any of the men he served and flew with in the ETO. His records were destroyed in the fire in St. Louis. I am going to England this coming September and would like to find and visit any of the airstrips he flew out of. Can you help?

Thank you,
Niles Bruno

Niles, when you visit England you need to visit Great Saling, Essex County. The 322nd Bomb Group flew from here during the period May 1943 to September 1944 before they moved to Europe. The airfield here was known as Andrews Field.

Trevor Allen, historian b26.com
Date:: 3/4/08
Time:: 5:15 PM

Hi, I am sure you know by now that there is a 1/72 die cast models now available of a B26 from 387th. Markings are FW-K. Tail number 295857. It is in Invasion stripes and olive drab. I was just wondering if you have any more info on the plane and crew. I live in the heart of Marauder country, Braintree Essex and am currently learning about the local airfields in WW2 and visiting those sites. Unfortunately I am only 32 so am starting from scratch. I am particularly interested in the B26 as it was so prolific around here, which is how I found B26.com, a super site might I say. Hope you can help. Many thanks Niall Thorogood Braintree, UK
Date:: 3/3/08
Time:: 4:38 PM

Jesse Lafayette Mitchell
344th Bomb Group
495th Bomb Squadron
France--January 1945--March 1945
Belgium--April 1945--September 1945
Germany--September--September 1945

My brother, Jesse Lafayette Mitchell, was called to active duty with the Air Corps in February 1943. A native of Fairfield, Alabama, he was a student at Alabama Polytechnic Institute at the time. He first went to Miami Beach, then to Clarion State Teacher's College in Pennsylvania, San Antonio, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Coffeyville, Kansas, Pampa, Texas, Del Rio, Texas, Shreveport, Louisiana, then to Savannah, Georgia. He and his crew flew the southern route to England in November 1944, then awaited assignment to a squadron at The 70th Replacement Depot, Stone, England until January 1945. He joined the 495th Bomb Squadron at the base (A-59) at Carmeilles-en-Vexin, Genicourt, France. His squadron moved to Florennes-Juzaine, Belgium at the end of March 1945. In September, the Squadron, as part of the Occupation forces, moved to Schleisshim, Germany. Jesse was discharged in December 1945. He flew thirty missions, the first on 2-9-45 against Viersen, Germany, the last on 4-20-45 against Sraubing Germany. His plane's name was "My Gal Sal," named after a high school sweetheart. In recent years, I have used materials from the Air Force Historical Research Center at Maxwell Field to write his story. Members of his crew were Lt. George T Rochford, Indiana, Co-Pilot; Sgt. Hector Marcil, Massachusetts, Engineer, Sgt. Charles Moritz, New York, Radioman and Sgt. George Rhodes, Pennsylvania, tail gunner. My brother, Rochford, Moritz and Rhodes are all dead and Hector Marcil is living. After the War, Jesse finished a degree in aeronautical engineering at Auburn and then spent thirty years with NACA and NASA. At the time of his retirement, he was Head of the Physics and Astronomy Division which was, among other things, responsible for the early planning for the Hubble Telescope. If anyone remembers Jesse, I would like to hear from them. He was a "great" brother. I have been unable to find any information about the sixth member of Jesse's crew, Sgt. Philip W. Lidel. Before joining Jesse's crew, Lidel had already completed more than thirty missions as a gunner-bombardier and flew about twenty missions with Jesse and his crew. If anyone remembers Lidel, I would appreciate them getting in touch with me. -Joseph Mitchell
Date:: 3/3/08
Time:: 3:58 PM

Trying to locate which squadron William Lawrence Lawson was a member of. He flew the B-26 stationed in North Africa and Sardinia. Flew 69 missions, received Air Medal with 8 bronze clusters, two silver clusters. His missions were flown in Africa, Sicilian and Italian campaigns. He returned to U.S. in 1944, assigned to Air Transport Command. Killed in auto accident April 1945. He has a plaque in his honor here at Baylor University and I am trying to put his story together. Is he listed on any rosters? -Frank J Jasek
Date:: 3/1/08
Time:: 9:17 PM

This is Donald L. Perkins who served with 391st. Bomb Group 572 or 573 Bomb Squadron. In ETO from November 1944 until December 1945. Graduated from Bombardier school at San Angelo, TX Class 44 E.

The pilot assigned to our crew was Lucas Shanks, Co-Pilot, Frank Costello. Gunners were Sgt. William E. Titus, Sgt Alex Webber, and Sgt. George Gordon.

We had 32 combat missions the last six of which were with the 17th. Bomb Group stationed in Dijon, France.

We were first assigned to the 391st. at Roye/Amy France, and the day we arrived there was a B-26 on it's belly with a hole in the fuselage that you could almost have driven a jeep through. A flak shell had exploded in the top turret's gunner's lap. He was killed, of course, and every other member of the crew were wounded except the Bombardier. They flew it home anyway. I didn't have a camera overseas, so many interesting pictures were missed. We were in the 391st. at Roye/Amy France until they went to the A-26's then we went to the 17th. Bomb Group at Dijon France and flew our last combat missions from there. On one of our last missions, an airfield at Lichfield, Germany, April 26, 1945, we were hit with a single ME 262 that got two of our aircraft. We were in the process turning around as a large thunderhead was over the target. We dropped no bombs and heard later that the Germans had seven other M-262's waiting for us on the other side of the thunderhead. An account of that from the German pilot's point of view, can be found in a Time-Life Book named Fighter Jets, "The Epic of Flight".

Since we were late in the war, we were assigned 028, an aircraft that was the dog of the fleet. It had been named Honey Bucket and had a chalked picture of a country out house on the nose. We later named it Eyeballs. Most of the time that was the aircraft we were assigned to. We finished our tour without a scratch except our pilot hurt his hand while gathering fire wood, and we missed several missions.

I am thrilled to find this web site and hope it will be the means of contacting some of my old friends. It makes me feel old to read where grandchildren of my generation are searching for information about things we have lived through. I have not recognized any of the names that are in the web site or any of the aircraft.

Contact me there and let's share some war stories.
Don Perkins
Date:: 3/1/08
Time:: 8:32 PM

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (03.01.08)
The Aero-News Network Sat, 01 Mar 2008

Aero-Linx!
Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Aero-Linx! B26.COM is dedicated to the Martin B-26 Marauder Men who fought in World War II. [ Click here ]
Date:: 3/1/08
Time:: 6:29 PM

Hello, for a publication about the history of the Dutch airfields during World war II we are looking for a cartoon mentioned in “Time over Targets”.

“Woensdrecht, Beauvais, St. Omer, Gilze-Rijen were some of the targets, all studded with heavy flak defenses. None had a reputation like Amsterdam-Schipol. None was more important to the Luftwaffe. There, flak was buttermilk thick, and airmen had a healthy respect for German gunners. In a flyer's cartoon a gunner, being dragged to his plane, was shouting, "No—No—Not Schipol!” We are looking for a copy/scan of that cartoon mentioned above.

Would you be able to contact us with someone who has access to this cartoon?

Looking forward for your answer,

Jaap Woortman
Secr. Dutch Study Group Airwar 1939-1945.
Date:: 3/1/08
Time:: 10:12 AM

I recently ran across a post [click here] and it immediately caught my interest. I am the son of Art P. Duncan, Navigator/Bombardier, of the 323 BG, 455 BS. Joe Grillo and my Dad were very close friends during the War, and Joe is in fact the man I am named after, so of course I am very interested in any information you may have on him. Joe's loss had a profound effect on my Dad, and he spoke of Joe often. -Joe Duncan

Joe, on December 26th, 1944 the 323rd BG was part of a “Maximum Effort” mission to keep the German troops from breaking through the Allied lines during the “ Battle of the Bulge”. The 323rd BG dispatch 55 B-26s that day and their target were German strong points concentrated at Houffalize , Belgium . Due to accurate flak over the target area, one aircraft was lost that day with all of its crew, 41-34955, YU-T (MACR 11488) “Mission Belle”. Unfortunately this is the B-26 that Lt. Grillo was in. Fourteen other 323rd BG Marauders were damaged by flak and one crash landed when the hydraulics were shot out and he couldn’t lower the landing gear. Bombing results were listed as good.

41-34955 “Mission Belle” was in Box III Flight 2. Due to problems identifying the target Box III had to make two passes over the target. The bombs had just been released and “Mission Belle” was just turning off of the target when it was hit in its left main fuel tank blowing off the top of the wing.

Regrettably, out of all of the 323rd BG MACRs, MACR 11488 is in the worst condition and for the most part unreadable. The original paper records weren’t copied to microfilm until the 80’s and by that time the paper had aged (turn brown) so badly it did not copy well. However I was able to reconstruct one of the pages of MACR 11488 which was a narrative of the event by Lt. James W. Rudig. I have attached it for you [ select here to read ].

Roy Bozych
Historian 323rd BG and 454th BS.
Date:: 2/29/08
Time:: 5:42 PM

Marauderman's Name: Staff Sergeant Alvin Gray Beeker
Bomb Group: 344th Bombardment Group
Bomb Squadron: 495th Bombardment Squadron
Years in service: 1944
Graduation Class: unknown
Class Location: unknown
Comments: My grandfather recently passed away. While my father and I were going through some papers he had in his home office I found a letter addressed to my late Great Uncle Clyde Beeker. The letter was from Major Harvey B. Piper, XO of the 495th Bombardment Squadron. The letter was a brief account of the crash of my cousin Gray Beeker's B-26. The letter detailed that his B-26 took AAA fire over Brest, France on 09 August, 1944. Major Piper explained that eye witness accounts suggested that the port wing was blown away and the aircraft subsequently crashed. I have known for some time that my cousin Gray died in World War 2. I later found out that he was an Aircrewman. Major piper's letter confirmed that Gray was the top turret gunner on a B-26. I myself was an Aircrewman on UH-60L Blackhawk and UH-1H Hueys for the Army. I have been trying recently to build a diorama of scale models depicting my family's service to our Country. If anyone has any information of the 495th I would be very grateful. I also know that my cousin was on aircraft 42-107686. I also know he is buried somewhere in Kentucky with Lt Raymond H. Phillips, 344th BG, 495th BS. If anyone has any other info please let me know. -Thank You, M. Scott Havner

Scott – I am also a cousin…my grandmother was Gray Beekers’ first cousin, Cora Lee Beeker, who was born in Mill Bridge. I know that Gray Beeker is buried at Plot 1-0-41, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. I read somewhere that after the war, he and his crewmates were disinterred from their burial plot in France and moved to the Veterans’ cemetery in Louisville. I have quite a lot of Beeker genealogical information if it would be of any interest to you. Let me know, OK? Thanks and regards. Hal Gray
Date:: 2/27/08
Time:: 6:38 PM

My Dad was 1Lt C.D. Burger and I did not know this about him [ read more ]. I was born on 26 Aug. 1944 and never got to see my dad. Thank you for the information.

Doug Burger
Date:: 2/27/08
Time:: 6:38 PM

My father, Roland ‘Roly’ Glass, ‘nick name Perspex’ was in the 24th Squadron of South Africa Air Force during WWII. He was a gunner in a Marauder, which in 1944 was called “Caroline Mary” stationed at Gambut in North Africa . The “Caroline Mary” crew at that time included Lieut. Tarpey, Larkan, Williams and Golding plus F./Sgt Smith.

The Marauders had replaced the squadrons Boston ’s on the 21st December 1943. He joined 14 Squadron, which became 24 on 15/7/1940 and demobed 31/1/1946.

There is an excellent book called ‘Per Noctem Per Diem’ The story of 24 Squadron, South African Air Force, by E.N. Tucker and P.M.J. McGregor published by the 24 Squadron Album Committee, printed (1962) by the Cape Times in South Africa. It includes WWII history, aircraft info, honour rolls, photos and poems and stories. So we can remember them who saved us all from tyranny. The accounts, pictures and photo’s in the book help me remember my dad as since 1972 he is no longer here to share his experiences and rich insight.

To quote from the book ‘We cannot close without paying tribute to those men from other countries who so loyally and spiritedly fought and in many cases died serving in the 24 Squadron – men from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Belgium ...’

With Much appreciation to you for your web site

Rudyard Glass – New Zealand
Date:: 2/26/08
Time:: 12:39 PM

Marauderman's Name: Richard A. Young
Bomb Group: 322nd
Bomb Squadron: 451st
Years in service: 23
Graduation Class: Unknown
Class Location: Tampa, FL
Comments: Hello Marauder Men. My name is John Young and my Stepfather, 1st Lt. Richard A. Young, who raised me was a B26 pilot stationed in Great Sailing England with the 451st BS, 322 BG. I have been able to acquire some information on him through the 451st BS history where he is mentioned as coming into the squadron with a Lt. Price and Lt. Col. Stillman on March 15, 1943. The history also indicated that he was placed on detached service with a Capt. Lamb and several other Lt.s to become part of the Pathfinders on Feb. 16, 1944. As you can see I have been able to acquire some detail on my Stepdad, but through all my research, I have been unable to obtain either his tail number or the name of the aircraft that he flew. I remember as a child looking through his scrap books at all of the pictures of friends and planes but since he and my Mom divorced many years ago I have lost contact with him and I'm sure that the pictures are long gone as well. I would really like to know the name of his plane if anyone remembers him and his aircraft. I also remember that he had a friend that was a navigator with the 386th BG and 553 BS by the name of Lt. Warren Hinchee. I have also been unable to get the name of his plane and very little other information on him as well and would be appreciative if anyone could provide me information on him. Thanks to all you Marauder Men for making the USA what it is today.

Check out Lee Lipkis' page...
Date:: 2/24/08
Time:: 5:30 PM

Marauderman's Name: S/Sgt Robert E. Hammerberg Bomb Group: 322 Headquarters Years in Service: 1942-1945 (1946?) Dear Mr. Allen, I have been reading some of the old guestbook logs on your website, as I have been trying to find out a little more about my fathers time in the AAF in WWII. My father was one of the occasional photo/gunners that you noted in your response called "General Crew Stations/ Box Formation". Besides photographing bombing runs on flights, he and other photo/gunners of the 322 took portraits of the commanding officers and medal award recipients, photographs of base life, USO shows, and visiting brass. My father also took photographs of the British countryside, as well as some in France, Belgium and Germany as the 322 stations were moved. He tells the story, that when the photo/gunners would show up for the mission briefing the pilots would groan because they were typically sent on missions expected to be tough. I also remember him telling about the low level bombing mission where all ten planes were shot down and that they waited and waited at the runway, scanning the sky for returning planes, but the planes never returned. We (my family) have many, many photographs including my father's original portrait photographs of Maj. General Samuel E. Anderson (posed standing) commanding officer of the 9th AAF, Brig. General Francis M. Brady (commanding officer of the 3rd wing??, 8th AAF??), Col. Glenn Nye (the photo on your website), as well as numerous Distinguished Flying Cross portraits (pilots, navigators, and gunners). We were told by my father that these were publicity photos for the Stars & Stripes and local papers. My father also shot the aerial portrait of Flak Bait flying on its 200 mission at the Air and Space Museum (he was the only photo/gunner on the mission). I believe we also have an aerial portrait of Mild & Bitter flying on its 100 mission. We also have several other photographs of Mild & Bitter parked with other planes. My father never said a word about how famous this plane was. The "Wounded Marauder" photo on your website showing Larry Scates, Morton J. Levy and Frank Cookson sitting on/in a badly damaged tail of 42-107751, I believe, was shot by my father as I have a matching photograph with the 322 photo record inscription at the bottom. The are a few other photos on other websites that I believe my father shot as we have matching photos or photos bracketed on side or the other of the image. The third photograph attached is of "Tondelayo" 41-17995 flying over the English Channel. I include this because there were several notes in your guestbook asking about this plane. I'm guessing based on your information that Tondelayo was flying in the lead box.
Thomas Hammerberg
Date:: 2/21/08
Time:: 8:45 AM

I talked by phone with Dan Murphy last night about Carl A. Royer's crew. He couldn't remember anything about the photo. The only two that he could tell anything about were himself and Charlie Mahan who was bombardier on his crew. He couldn't recall when or where the photo was taken. So that was disappointing. Higgins, Osborne, Mahan, Mahaffey, Sanders and Royer definitely trained as a crew at Barksdale. We know that from the photo. It has been verified that Mahan and Royer definitely ended up with the 585th. Has Sanders definitely been placed with the 394th? Need first names and organizations for Higgins, Osborne and Mahaffey. I talked to Elden Shook by telephone tonight but didn't come up with any answers.

When Doug Royer, Carl's son, gets the 394th bomb groups microfilm from Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, hopefully that will help.

Best wishes,
Don Frisbie
Pilot, Marauder Man
Date:: 2/21/08
Time:: 8:20 AM

Robert J. Fitzgerald
Bomb Group: 387 bomb gp/m Bomb Squadron: 557 bomb sq Years in service: 1942 / 21-March-1945 I am looking for information / division photo’s of Robert J. Fitzgerald # XXXXX975. We have adopted his grave at the American Military Cemetery at Margraten Netherlands. Can you please help us ? Additional info: Robert J. Fitzgerald Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces 557th Bomber Squadron, 387th Bomber Group, Medium Entered the Service from: New Jersey Died: 21-Mar-45 Awards: Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Thank you,
Twan Scheijen
Date:: 2/18/08
Time:: 4:42 PM

Good Afternoon:

I just found your terrific website.

I would appreciate any information that can be supplied regarding my father 1LT Ronald F. Shepard. He piloted the "Billy Willy V", serial number was 42-96160, U2-L, 598th BS, 397th BG. Shot down March 18th, 1945 on a raid on the RR yards at Worms, Germany. The crew was able to bail out minus my father, who apparently was found in the wreckage near Stadecken.

Crew members were: F/O William R. Littenhale ( or Littenal ), Co-Pilot S/Sgt Harold E. Wilson, bombardier Sgt. Hoyt B. Willingham, Radio/Gunner Sgt. James H. Tamplin, Engineer/Gunner Sgt. Herbert Brodsky, Armourer/Gunner T/Sgt J.C. McGuire, Observer Thanks for any information. Ron Shepard
Date:: 2/18/08
Time:: 3:13 PM

Hello: Does anybody know who is charge of things pertaining to the Squadron reunions of the 449th, 450th, 451st and 452nd Bomb Squadrons, 322nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force? My father, Jack Hastings, who was a B-26 Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, 449th Bomb Squadron during WWII passed away in March of 2003. I am his only Son, who is a Vietnam war Veteran and served with the USAF from 68 til 73, then the Oklahoma Air National Guard 73 to 75.

I had gone to the only Reunion this group had in Oklahoma City, OK back in 2000 with my Father and enjoyed meeting everyone.

It has been almost 5 years since Dad passed and I have had my own personal Health problems arise due to exposure to Agent Orange while serving IN Country @ Tan Son Nhut Air Base during 1969 to 1970 with the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. I was the NCOIC for the Flight Safety and Ground Safety office while stationed there.
I sure would like to hear from some of the folks who served with my Father or their Kids or even Grand Kids, or Great Grand Kids of these Men. I have become Medically retired and have some extra time on my hands and would deeply appreciate Emails to read. Kind of bored with without much going on here.

Sincerely yours, Mr. F.L. Hastings
Date:: 2/17/08
Time:: 10:41 AM

Hi, this is Emilie Wood Mims signing in. My mother, Patricia Patterson McKenzie, was the sister of Harry Howard Patterson (re: post 2/2/08). Thanks to all for establishing this site about my "Uncle Howard." I found the stories very interesting and plan to pass them on to the local paper in his hometown.
Date:: 2/10/08
Time:: 10:10 PM

My name is Greg Hansard and I am trying to get in touch with Floyd Mauth. My Grandfather, Elmer R. Hansard, was a tail gunner in the "Lily Commando" (391st 573rd). His pilot was William Youse III. He may know some of your crew members.
Date:: 2/6/08
Time:: 1:44 PM

Can you please send my email address on to Don Frisbie. He says that he was with the 586th BS, 394th BG from fall of 1944 to war's end. My grandfather, Carl A. Royer, was with the 585th BS, 394th BG during the same time. I would like to share information with him if he is willing. Thanks, Doug Royer
Date:: 2/2/08
Time:: 10:22 AM

I am absolutely thrilled to find a relative of Lt. Harry Patterson alive and interested in exchanging information on the WW-II / B-26 experiences of our relatives. I believe the citation was signed by Justin Lewis and Alf Egil Johannessen. My dad, Thomas W. Kerley, was Harry Patterson's copilot for much of the war. My dad spoke frequently about his WW-II flying experiences and I inherited many WW-II memories and artifacts from him. I have his complete uniform, medals, bomb log, photos, and, perhaps most valuable, an ornate wooden stick with over 50 initials carved in it from guys he served with in the 397th / 598th. I would be most willing to share all this with anyone interested. Many thanks to Marauder Men and their descendants for providing this extremely valuable venue for B-26 families to find each other. I look forward to hearing from Justin, Alf, and any other interested B-26 families.

Sincerely,
Mike Kerley

Justin Lewis, thank you for making a dedication page for your Grandfather, Harry Patterson, you made this connection possible. Perhaps others will follow your lead.
Date:: 1/31/08
Time:: 10:15 PM

Joe “Bud” Miller was born December 27, 1924, in Mankato, Minnesota, one of 11 children born to Michael and Catherine Miller. Joe entered military service on June 11, 1943, during WWII where he became an armored tail gunner on a B-26 Marauder. He was assigned to his crew in July 1944 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana.
Date:: 1/30/08
Time:: 7:59 AM

Marauderman's Name: SGT. Melvin C Shuler, Sr.
Bomb Group: 391st
Bomb Squadron: 573rd
Comments: My family and I have learned a great deal about my grandfather from your site. My father had never been informed about the mid-air collision or that my grandfather was the only one on his plane to perish in that accident. We would like to be able to contact Roger Rice, the son of E. Z. Rice [1] [2] [3] and anyone else who may have memories or information about that day or my grandfather. We are also looking for any pictures or documents concerning my grandfather or other crew members with whom he served. The collision occurred on August 25, 1944. The plane he was in was 42-95797 P2-P "TS Ticket". Survivors of this collision were Frank P. Moscovic, co-pilot; Donald J. Peters, bombardier and Robert A. Hetrick, engineer/gunner.

Thanks and any help at all is appreciated,
Gina Rouse
Date:: 1/26/08
Time:: 10:29 PM

Marauder Man: 2nd Lt. Stanley S. Bolesta
Bomb group: 322nd
Bomb squad: 449th
Comments: My dad was a b-26 bombardier and was shot down 11/3/43 over France. He evaded the German’s for several months by being hidden by a French family (they owned a bakery) until a mole turned him into the Gestapo. He never found out what happened to the French family. He spent the rest of the war (feb 1943) in stalag luft 1 in barth Germany until liberated by the Russians in 1945.

He has a news clip that shows his plane 41-18272 pn---q (pn---v is in the background) on it way to attack the German airfield at omer-rouge, France august 9, 1943. The only b-26 shot down on 11/3/43 was 322nd bg 449th bs 41-34763 pn--j. The macr's were 1#1046 & #1499 for the same plane. I have ordered copies of these to get more info.

Was it standard practice for airmen to be assigned to different planes in the squadron such that they may have been on more than one plane during their tour with a squadron? (ed. Yes) It may explain why he could have remembered more than one plane. (ed. Marauder Men flew in more than one plane during their tour of duty).

Curious,
Gary Bolesta

Gary, while a pilot was usually assigned an airplane, they in fact flew several different B26's on missions due to serviceability and damage repair. In fact on some occasions if their own squadron didn't have enough serviceable planes of their own, they would borrow one from another of the Group's squadrons who perhaps were not flying that mission. Trevor Allen historian b26.com

Hi Gary, it was a standard practice for the crews to be assigned different aircraft for missions. Sometimes there regular aircraft was down for servicing/repairs, and the other aircraft crew were not picked for a mission so their aircraft was made available for crews with downed aircraft for the mission .

For instance while my Dad was with the 449BG as an engineer his crew 's regular aircraft was 41-31757 PN-G "We Dood It" but he flew missions in 41-31756 PN-T "Gayle",41-31711 PN-W "Mystic Crewe of Gasparilla" 41-31773 PN-O "Flak Bait" And what's interesting is they would even borrow birds from the other squadrons of the 322BG. As he flew missions aboard 450BS's 41-18276 ER-T "Picked Dilly", and from the 452 BS 41-31919 DR-N "Peasapis"

So I hope that helps your mystery of the different aircraft.
Don Enlow Son of Malcolm D. Enlow
Date:: 1/22/08
Time:: 9:00 AM

Marauderman's Name: 1st Lieutenant Thomas T. Johnson
Bomb Group: 319th
Bomb Squadron: 437th
Comments: Lt. Johnson was my uncle, whose plane was shot up during a bombing mission to some island near Italy, and crashed in Tunisia. He had been able to keep the plane in the air long enough for his crewmates to be able to bail out safely, but by the time he jumped it was too low and his parachute didn't open in time. I am looking for any surviving crewmates, their families, and/or anyone who knew him. He died on June 11, 1943.

Here are the names of his crewmen, from a newspaper clipping saved by my parents:

2nd Lt. Marvin M. Grieves, copilot, of NYC
2nd Lt. Louis Baldino, bombardier, Philadelphia
Staff Sgt Theodore R Taylor, Niagara Falls, NY
Staff Sgt. Thomas H Hall, Philadelphia
Staff Sgt. Joseph Merritt, Norfolk, VA

Thomas J. Brooks

1st Lt. Thomas T. Johnson's Marauder was 41-34870. On June 11th 1943 the 319th BG flew two missions; # 38 to gun positions #9A and 10A at Pantelleria (Italy). On leaving first target, observers noticed a white cross on the airdrome--this island had surrendered, apparently while the raid was in progress. Mission # 39 was originally planned for Pantelleria but changed ten minutes prior to takeoff, twenty-four planes hit Lampedusa (shipping & docks), most crews having no idea where they were going but dropping on the lead bombardier; ships and buildings in a harbor hit with 300-, 500- and 1000-lb. bombs: plane of 1st Lt. Thomas Johnson crashed near Le Kef (Tunisia), an engine shot out by flak and the other losing power. Johnson was killed when he bailed out at low altitude and his chute failed to open. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and is buried at North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. Lampedusa (Italy) is an island about 90 miles south/south-east of Pantelleria. Flight Commander on this mission was Major J. R. Holzapple, and Flight Leader was Captain H. B. Lawson. Addendum: S/Sgt Thomas H. Hall from Philadelphia was later awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for his merits on two later missions (319th BG Combat Diary). Best regards, Alf Egil Johannessen
Date:: 1/20/08
Time:: 1:37 AM

Alfred J. Mattacotti
22nd Bomb Group
33rd Bombardment Squadron
1940-1945
In Australia and New Guinea up to the Leyte Gulf. I'd like to hear from anyone else who in the same.
Date:: 1/17/08
Time:: 5:15 PM

Hello, would you put me in contact with Kim Aarts [1] [2]. I want to contact her about her post. I am the cousin of Lyle A. Taggart, a fellow crew member of Edward Wallerstein. I have some information that I can send to Kim about the Feb. 23, 1945 plane crash in which they were killed. I have a copy of the missing air crew report and a photo of the plane.

Thank you,
Cindy Coffin
Date:: 1/17/08
Time:: 5:09 PM

Hi, I'm Marauder man Floyd Mauth and would like to hear from anyone that knew me during WW2! I was discharged in January 1946 on a temporary service record as mine was stolen in Paris, France when I was traveling to Le Harve to ship home, we shipped out on December 15th on the USS Walter E. Ranger, A liberty Ship and arrived in New York 21 days later, what a trip! I am in contact with my 86 year old pilot that stayed in the Air Force for I believe 14 more years! My crew was James E. Gonyer Pilot, L.V. Jones Co-pilot, Homer Cash Bomb-Navigator, Joe Nevolis Eng. Gunner, Charles Huff Radio Gunner & I Floyd Mauth armament Gunner! I also lost my address book & personal items when my service record was stolen so I haven't any record of missions or transfers between Bomb groups, we flew our missions in the 391st bomb group, 573 or 572nd bomb Squadrons between Jan 1st & May 1945 & the mission that will always be in my Memory was over Koblenz & Loucker lake Germany when we lost so many from intense & accurate flack, we didn't get hit but the bombbay doors got the two two thousand pound bombs salvoed on them & what a problem I had getting them closed to eliminate the drag so we could maintain formation & get the Hell out of there! I'll be 83 22nd Feb. this year & don't plan on leaving this earth anytime soon so if any one can tell me anything about where the rest of my crew are I will be most appreciative! Have a very happy & prosperous new year.
Date:: 1/16/08
Time:: 5:16 PM

The logo on the homepage are insignias from the Royal Air Force Squadron 14, Royal Air Force Squadron 39 donated by Peter Thatcher, painted by Geoffrey Clive Thatcher; Gascogne 1/19, Maroc 1/22, Bourgogne 1/32, Bretagne 2/20, Franche-Comte 2/52, Senegal 2/63, from the 11 Brigade de Bombardement donated by Anciens des B-26 Marauder Francais; French Barksdale patch donated by Frances Buford Pullen (WASP); French Tactical Air Force donated by Stu Rowan, donated to b26.com by Marauder Man Jack D. White, 344 BG/497 BS. The squadrons flew Martin B-26 Marauders in WW2.

Merci pour nous aider indiquent l'histoire les hommes du Marauder de FFAF. Peut-être plus les hommes du Marauder de FFAF suivront votre exemple.
Date:: 1/16/08
Time:: 4:31 PM

I am writing on behalf of my Uncle Edwin Earl Odell [then Glorvigan]. He was a crew chief on a B-26 flying out of Bornmouth [sp?] England near Dover. He was shot down on his 47th mission over Koblenz & captured by the Luftwaffe.

The attached story was published in a VFW Newspaper and gives a few details.

To my knowledge [and his], he was in the:

9TH USAAF
IX Bomber Command
98th Bomb Wing
387th Bomb Group
557th or 558th Bomb Squadron.
When shot down:

The pilot was MacAllister
Co-pilot was Church
Plane name was Black Magic.

I need this information since his records were burned at the NPR in St. Louis in the 1960’s.

I will be aiding this 86-year-old to get a set of medals [ETO Victory, WW II Victory, Air Medals, Purple Hearts, POW Medal, and any other for which he may qualify].

Ed flew two missions D-Day over Normandy.

This and flying out of France afterward qualify him for a certificate from the French government as well.

If you have suggestions on how I can research and document his service, it would sure please one of our remaining ‘Greatest Generation’ members.

Thanks for any help and advice you can provide
Roger Boeker

Roger Boeker, Edwin E. Glorvigen, born 1921, Army Serial XXXXX491, from Wood County, Wisconsin, enlisted for Air Corps in Los Angeles, California, on December 23rd 1941. I suppose your uncle has Norwegian ancestry, as NARA did not respond to the surname Glorvigan. When searching at NARA for Glorvigen, I found only two names, the other one Arnold also from Wood County (related?). S/Sgt Edwin E. Glorvigen of 387th BG was shot down on February 24th 1945 and taken POW by the Germans. Target name also indicates that this must have been late in WWII. "Black Magic" was the name of a 387th BG Marauder which went down on June 10th 1944. "Black Magic II" survived the war. My records show one 387th BG Marauder shot down on February 24th 1945; 42-96092 TQ-C of 559th BS , Pilot Lt. John O. Merrill. The MACR # is 12607, which probably will have your uncle's name listed. 387th BG history book says on page 66: "The Group bombed a secondary target near Mayen on February 24th. Lt. John Merrill and his crew went down to flak. The records indicate indicate that Lt. Merrill and all members of his crew except Lt. Wiersma returned later to the base." That must be wrong, as the NARA says that Lt. John O. Merrill also was taken POW on February 24th 1945. Koblenz is about 16 miles east of Mayen, which also corresponds well to your description. I think a vital clue here is the MACR and the records at the National Archives http://www.archives.gov. The 387th BG was based at Clastres (A-71) in France when your uncle was shot down (this airfield is located 50 miles north-west of Reims). The 387th BG base on D-Day was Station No. 162 Chipping Ongar in UK, this airfield was located just north-east of London. The group then moved to Station No 452 Stoney Cross in UK on July 21st 1944. Stoney Cross was located 10 miles west of Southampton and 17 miles north-east of Bournemouth. So I assume that your uncle's memory of Bournemouth is from that base. Best regards from Norway, Alf Egil Johannessen
Date:: 1/12/08
Time:: 6:03 PM

Regarding: Captain Reid Charles Pulver, WWII B-26 Pilot Army Air Corp 323rd Bomb Group 455th Squadron. Stationed in France and/or England in the early to mid 1940’s. Name on plane may have been “The Plastered Bastard”.

I am the daughter of Reid Pulver and I am looking for any information someone can provide about his service--- am especially interested in finding the #’s on his plane and/or photos of the nose art, etc. We sometimes see film that we think may possibly be his plane or his squadron. We know the letters on the fuselage are “YU” but would like to narrow down the identification further. Other members of his crew include: Art Duncan, Hank Moen, Bill Turocy.

Reid’s other daughter had possession of his photo album but she is now deceased and I don’t have access to the photos at this point. Does someone perhaps have photos of his plane with identifying marks? Any photos of him or his crew would be wonderful if available. Reid and Art are deceased but I was hoping one of the other crew members may still be living and able to provide information, or stories of their missions.

Can anyone tell me the number of planes in a squadron?

Reid’s nephew, grandson and great-grandson are very eager to have any information.

Loretta Pulver

The names of the other crew members according to roster by John Moench are as follows: 1st Lt. Arthur P. Duncan, 1st Lt. Hanferd J. Moen, T/Sgt William Turocy. On a 323rd BG mission on September 10th 1944 to Foret du Hayes SP in France 2nd Lt. Hanferd J. Moen was WIA (Wounded In Action) according to Moench. On February 28th 1945 Major Rehr and 1st Lt. Pulver led an attack on the Uluyn Road Junction in Germany. The mission report should contain information about what Marauder was flown by 1st Lt. Pulver that day. I have a record of 455th BS Marauders, there were 14 Marauders originally in that Bomb Squadron. 2nd Lt. Hanferd J. Moen is there listed as Co-Pilot of 41-31870, this aircraft had a taxi accident at Lessay/A-20 on September 9th 1944, killing it's pilot 2nd Lt. Whitman. Unfortunately the record does not list other of the above mentioned crew names than Hanferd J. Moen. Best regards from Norway, Alf Egil Johannessen

Loretta, I am the son of Hanferd “Hank” Moen. He is certainly alive and well! I will mail a copy of your email to him. I am sure he would be more than happy to talk with you. You can also reply to me. Best of luck in your search and hopefully my father will able to fill in some of the blanks. Regards, Hanferd J. Moen Jr., Maj Gen, USAFR
Date:: 1/12/08
Time:: 9:00 AM

I am trying to find information about my grandfather, Lloyd R. Bond. From what I have learned from my mother and uncle, Grandpa was a navigator in WWII. We have a picture of him and "Riley" and another man in front of the B 26 Couchez Avec which I have learned is part of the 323rd Bombardment Group - 455th Bombardment Squadron.

I would like to learn if he was navigator on Couchez Avec and if anyone knows who "Riley" or other man in the photo is. We have many pictures of the three of them from his time in France. She is in uniform but we are not sure if she was American or French.

Thanks!
Andi Williams

Andi, the 323rd BG records indicated that your grandfather was a T/Sgt with the 453rd Squadron. However, in doing a quick search I was unable to locate any further information about him. Do you know the approximate time he was with the Group or have any other information that might help in the search?

Roy Bozych
Historian
323rd BG/454th BS
http://www.323bg454bs.org
Date:: 1/11/08
Time:: 4:17 PM

In his post Jay C. Hitchcock asks for information on his father from others who knew him. My father, Anthony DeStaffan, was the gunner on Arlie Hitchcock's crew. If Mr. Hitchcock would reply with his contact info, I would be pleased to pass that on to my father.

Sincerely,
Peter A. DeStaffan
Date:: 1/10/08
Time:: 12:10 PM

Hello I am trying to find out more information about my uncle, Peter Hess, Jr., son of Peter and Lelia Hess of Telluride, Colorado. He was a staff sergeant and engineer-gunner on a b26 and was killed in action during a raid on Dunkirk, April 12, 1944. The newspaper clipping I have from my father states that Peter was in the Ninth Air Force in England and is listed as MIA April 12, 1944. My father, Fred Jay Hess, was a US Marine and saw action in the Pacific including Iwo Jima. I would appreciate any info as the picture of Peter shows a crew of 6 but is a front view and therefore the name and numbers of the plane are missing from the view. Your b26 site has let me locate my uncle Jack Hess and crew from a picture of him with the plane b-26 named Buddy's Rebel which was lost over the North Sea on 25 Feb, 1944. Jack was a mechanic and is included in the picture in my father's album. I have a young student in the high school that I work in who has been helping me locate information. We share the information we get with a grade 12 Social Studies class who are studying war and Canada's part in it. My information is shared with each year's classes in order to let these children know of the sacrifices made by those men and women who lost so much to enable us and future generations freedom.

Thank you
Tina Colborne

Tina, 12 April 1944 the 387th Bomb Group was over Dunkirk, France when the Group lead B26 42-107581 was hit by flak, broke into two pieces and crashed into the sea just off the harbour with no survivors. The crew comprised: Lt. Col Jack Caldwell (Group commander); 1.Lts Donald L Standard; Frederick J Busch; John R McGhee; S/Sgts Valentine G Fritsz; Irving L Dribble; Peter Hess, Jr. Also on board was Maj Daniel E Williams. Apart from Lt Col Caldwell and Maj Williams the rest of the crew belonged to the 558th Bomb Squadron. Regards, Trevor Allen historian b26.com
Date:: 1/7/08
Time:: 8:22 AM

Reunion Update: There were 9 Bomb Groups represented: 17th, 22nd, 322nd, 323rd, 386th, 387th, 391st, 394th, and 397th. We had 186th people attending our banquet. This included wives, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation and friends that accompanied their 52 Marauder Men.

The reunion was held October 24-27th, 2007, in San Antonio, TX. It was sponsored by the squadrons of the 387th Bomb Group and the 397th Bomb Group Association. Joint reunions are the plan - all Marauder Group Associations together, as many find it more difficult to stage their own individual reunions. All Marauder Men, their families and friends are invited. Special arrangements are made to accommodate those squadrons and bomb groups that want to continue holding their own separate meetings.

The next joint reunion, the International Gathering of Marauder Eagles, will be held October 27-29, 2008, in Kissimmee, FL.

Thank you for your offer and support.
Bill Spurrier, Reunion Chairman, San Antonio 07
Date:: 1/7/08
Time:: 8:12 AM

I haven't been in touch for a long time. I would like to contact Trevor Allen about getting information on missions I flew with the 394th. I joined the 394th at Cambrai in October 1944 and flew my first mission on 4 Nov and the last mission on 18 Apr 1945 and a total of 33 missions. If what I am requesting is too involved, I understand. Also I intend to reimburse you for your time and effort. My health isn't all that great but am still kicking and ornery as ever.

Thanks for your prompt reply.
Regards, Don Frisbie

Don, thank you for the information, it makes researching much easier when there is a date to start from. You will not reimburse me financially, but if you have any photographs of your time with the Group, I would be pleased to see scanned copies. I will now get down to the research. Regards, Trevor Allen
Date:: 1/7/08
Time:: 1:18 AM

I am looking for any information about my father Sgt. Charles Walker (decreased). I have pictures of him standing by a B-26 "The Sexy Betsy", Great Dunmow , England, first mission over France Nov. 28 '43.

Dad was trained at the Signal Corps in DC. radar at Ft. Murphy, and B-17 basic flight qualification training at Sioux City Army Air base where he was shipped out to Mark's Hall, Earl's Cologne England in May -June of '43.He was trained in "GEE" equipment at Great Dunmow in Nov. '43. He had an airborne tab, signal corps pin, and 9th TCC patch among his things and a pin that looks like bomber. He was listed as a radar repairman and radar pathfinding with a unit citation, 3 combat stars and the bronze star for operations in northern France and Germany. He was moved around a lot and was to be part of the invasion force of Japan when they surrender.

We know he received paratroop training from the British and that he jumped twice. However, he doesn't know his starting unit only the one for the invasion of Japan. Any information will be greatly appropriated.

Deborah Walker Thompson, daughter of Charles Walker

Hi Deborah, your father looks as though he did his GEE training at Great Dunmow which is confirmed by the photograph of him with the B26 "Sexy Betsy". However, from the further information you provided he was not a member of the 386th Bomb Group.

It appears that he was trained as a parachutist, and in particular as a pathfinder who was parachuted in prior to the main parachute drop. His job was to guide the troop carrying C-47 airplanes to their drop zone by radar. This was an hazardous task where they could easily at any time been over run by the enemy. My guess he was a member of either the 82nd or 101st Airborne Divisions and was almost certainly in action on D-Day 6th June 1944 and again on 17th September 1944 when they attempted to take the bridges at Eindhoven and Nijmegen in Holland.

For further information you need to contact the reunion associations of both the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.

Regards,
Trevor Allen historian b26.com
Date:: 1/4/08
Time:: 2:54 PM

B26 Guest Book,

I have sent a number of comments and questions to this great site over the last couple of years and I have received some very useful information in return. Last year I had the opportunity to meet a number of the members of the 391st BG, of which my dad was a member - he was in the 575th BS, at their gathering in Arizona. I hope to meet with a couple of the members of the 575th later this month or in early February down in the Chicago area.

I am in the process of putting together a model of the B-26 and would like some help on the painting of the nose art. I have a number of black/white pictures of my dad in front of his plane and there are also a few with the crew in front of their plane. The name of the plane is Scrumptious. I would like to find out what the colors were in the nose art of the gal that is painted on the plane. I appreciate any help that you Marauder Men can give me. I have checked the dedication pages and there is a page dedicated to Donald Proudfit and in one of the pictures he is shown posing as if he is holding the gal up. He was in the 575th BS but I have not found his name in any of the stuff that I have found in my dad's locker.

I have said this before and will continue to request that those of you who were Marauder Men please keep telling your stories. My dad passed away in 1972 and he never spoke about his time in WWII. Those of us who are children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of the members of the Greatest Generation are very interested in your stories and history. I am in awe of the generation of people, who like my dad, went from everyday life - he a carpenter - to learning to fly and maintain planes, fight an incredible war, and if luck was with them return home - he again to continue as a carpenter. All of this accomplished in three or four years.

Thank-you,

Rich Erickson
Son of Marauder Man - Clarence V. Erickson
Date:: 1/3/08
Time:: 6:53 PM

B26.com, you have my permission to add my memoir onto the web site. Any part or all of my memoir can be used at your discretion. My thought is that the Bill Churchman's article of the "Mission to bomb a railroad bridge at Rovereto Italy is a MASTERPIECE. It is accurate, detailed, dramatic and yet a touching documentation of a tragic mission. Yes there were many combat episodes that were more dramatic than that mission but not many in a crippled solo B26 bomber that struggled to stay airborne for over an hour in enemy territory at a few thousand feet above numerous German AA positions that were firing at us. The German fighters certainly were in the area looking for our crippled B26. Guess it would be about a one in a hundred chance of our surviving if they found our plane as we had no escort nor much firepower. We had to jettison some guns and only had one possible operational gun position available out of the normal 5 positions. There was Bill Churchman, the Navigator Bombardier, who's difficult task was to direct us to a landing field that may or may not yet be in ally control as outlined by intelligence on that pre mission briefing. "Direct us to safety" while Bill was occupied trying to help the dying tail gunner, Smitty. The real hero are those that give the ultimate sacrifice. Everyone did their best but "faith or luck" was on our side. Then when we landed and were told by the British field doctor that he couldn't help our gunner, so the hopeless slow trip continued in an ambulance on cluttered roads crowded with refugees and all their animals. The long trip in our search for mercy and hopes of life for Smitty was faltering. I could never embellish any of the facts of that mission although I have recalled it hundreds of times. If this factual story could in some way be used to further honor Smitty I would want to do that for Smitty. Max Petrisek
Date:: 1/3/08
Time:: 2:52 PM

I had just given my youngest son a Christmas present, a model of the B26 for him to put together. It is 48 scale and has several decal sets, but no the Mild and Bitter ones.

Researching on the internet I found another model maker and the had a smaller model, 72 scale, and they had the Mild and Bitter decals. I seem to like the larger scale model since it is easier to work with, but not happy that there is no 48 scale decal for this model. I contacted both model makers and they both say they have no 48 scale decals for the Mild and Bitter.

At first I thought the 72 decal was just an artist conception of the markings, but when I scanned it and enlarged it up I can read the names on the nose art of the men from this plane. My uncle, Marauder Man James Skinner, was one that flew with this plane as a R/O and his name and another Northampton Massachusetts man on it. I don't know what photo and artwork was done and when to get the names for the decal, but probably before all were put on it for the tour in the states for war bonds.

Anyway it would be nice to have the correct decal to 48 scale on the model, even though it does not have his name on it. Does anybody know a source that makes or have made decals for B26 models that might have one for this plane in 48 scale?

Research also found the Flak Bait B26, which had a 200 + flight record, but in the ETO. The Mild and Bitter was blown up by mistake years ago.

Have a very Happy New Year,
Kind regards,
John H. Beach
Date:: 1/1/08
Time:: 7:02 PM

Happy New Year. My husband and I have a web site called ww2buddies.com. Some of the information covers the 394th bomb group. I noticed in your guest book that Ted Kubala son of Theodore Kubala [1] [2], had signed the book at B-26 Marauder and got information on his father. Please forward my email to Ted. I'd like to get a picture and other information from him about his father for our web site.

Thank you, Donna Hill

Ted Kubala, please update email address
Date:: 1/1/08
Time:: 12:46 PM

Hello, I seek information on the groups of bombardment BG whit a B26 on Rennes, Brittany, France on July 17, 1943. Thank you in advance, Andre FRANC Andre, I think the year must be 1944 as the B-26 operations in ETO were hardly begun in July 1943, and the USAAF combat chronology does not mention that target for July 17th 1943. So if we go to July 17th 1944 the COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES JULY 1944 tells us: "MONDAY, 17 JULY 1944 EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): With operations limited by weather in France, 69 B-26s hit fuel dumps at Rennes while 37 A-20s strike fuel dumps at Bruz and a marshalling yard at Dol-de-Bretagne; fighters escort transports, fly area cover, attack fuel dumps and landing field at Angers, dive-bomb defenses at Coutances in support of the US First Army, attack Nevers marshalling yard, and hit troop concentrations in support of the First Army assault in the Saint-Lo area." So returning back to which of the 9th AF B-26 Marauder Bomb Groups participated on that mission I have this information: 322nd BG: no mission (bad flying weather) 323rd BG: no mission (bad weather first half of July 1944) 344th BG: no mission 386th BG: Rennes Fuel Dump 387th BG: I have no info for this group, besides that they attacked one large fuel dump during the first 20 days of July 1944. 391st BG: I have no info for this group 394th BG: Rennes Fuel Dump. 38 Marauders dropped 48,65 tons with good results. 397th BG: no mission 394th BG history says: ..."the group struck out again in the afternoon of the 17th at fuel stores at Rennes, France. Captain Piper of the 586th led the group as the Germans countered with some of their heaviest flak yet encountered. Although almost all the planes in the formation were damaged, only one man was wounded". Regards, Alf Egil Johannessen
Date:: 1/1/08
Time:: 8:58 AM

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