R and R Pages:
DEC. 10
Anecdotes:
Cook flying under the beach; kicking bombs out the bomb bay; -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your
487th Website is excellent!! Hank Del Percio 487th
Doug,
put Alesan instead of
The River Alesani was flowing nearby the field that 's why the Americans called the field Alesan without
the I
Dominique
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug, you have
done a very good job on the site. I appreciate all your work. My dad was
with the 488th (crew chief) and
you have a picture of his plane: Lil
Critter from the Moon. The original name was Milk Run, but the CO
had a fit because of the implications, so he changed the name to go with the
Andy Cap character. This plane actually went down and the next one he
named after my mom: Arlene.
Thanks for the good work!
Sincerely,
Gordon R.
Ainsworth (son of S/Sgt Gordon Ainsworth)
Doug, I flew 16 missions on
Briefing Time as Navigator. Almost all with Bus Taylor;
all in lead. 489th
Squadron
Paul R. Gale
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Laney [
LIL’
is Lil’ Bea Hind II, 6U 43-27647
edit from unknown
SECTION 8 – IDIOTS DELIGHT
I believe is 6W, not
sure of serial since all 6W’s had this name
edit from unknown
DEVIL’S HELPER
6B 43-27487
edit from unknown
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been to my
best friend i got all the photos, great job! never saw
some photos, in one of them i recognized the east coast of
Dominique
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Herman Voss site http://home.bellsouth.net/P/PWP-486BombSquadron |
|
6 - W S/N#43-27505 A.W.O.L., "After Women or Liquor". First
mission 6-X "THE
ALICE L B-25-J" S/N 43-27491 This plane made it to the end of the war in
B-25J-1
"Devil"s Helper" 6B (B25J #327487) at Alesan, |
I wanted to write and congratulate you on your 487th web site. It looks
very good and complete for a new site. My name is Herman Voss, I have a small site dedicated to the 486th and my
brother-in-law John W (Jack) Sterett. Jack was a tail gunner who flew 60
plus missions from May 44 through April 45. http://home.bellsouth.net/P/PWP-486BombSquadron
I hope to improve my site with a new one, I just bought books on Microsoft
front Page, and hope to start after the first of the year.
I have several pictures of 487th planes you might be interested in
seeing. I have attached a list of same, and would be happy to share these
with you. If you are interested, please send me your address and I will send
a C/D. Last October my wife and I visited the National Archives in
Best Regards
Herman Voss
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug,
Great site.
Also thanks for listing my dad's name with 7Z "Shirley
Ann". He was KIA on
Again thanks.
Bob Meek
Colonel AUS(RET)
Vice President American World War II
Orphans Network
Proud son and only child of 2LT Robert
H. Meek 487th BS 340th BG
KIA over the
At eternal rest in the
Transmitted via the
'57th Bomb Wing Research List'
******************************************************
Great site Doug and I hope it
will be linked to the Official 57th Bomb Wing Association that Vinny White is
working on. Also hope you and all the other folk on Erich's list server
will join too, if you have not done so already. You're the guys and
gals that can keep the Wing going.
Victor
Hancock, Editor, Men of the 57th.
----------------------------------------------------
Doug’s Reply
I love the detailed
photos of the plane in Van Nuys. About ten years ago, I was able to
see a B-25J from the Confederate Air Force land at a show in
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willy [ehetzel@northrock.bm] I was always in awe
of the men who flew in these planes before visiting a real aircraft and after
that, well, even more so. The space is
incredibility cramped, as someone noted the other day with reference to getting
into the bombardier’s space. The guys at
the back of the plane, the Radio/Gunner (my father’s position) and Tail Gunner
must have felt very isolated back there… the only way to the forward part of
the aircraft is over the bomb compartment which leaves just squeezable room to
get through. After actually being inside
one of these birds, I came away with even more appreciation of what they did. It amazes me that they went out and crawled
into those cramped confines day after day, flew hundreds of miles in freezing
conditions, with people on the ground and the air trying their hardest to kill
them.
Real Heroes!
Go for a visit… you will
really gain an entirely new perspective.
Best Regards;
Erich
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Doug
I'm the co-author of the
McAllister Case, the book about Lt. McAllister (310th BG) al his aircraft Donna
Marie, shot down on
Also I'm member of the research
list of the 57th Bomb Wing.
Something about me , you can see in my web site www.giuseppeversolato.it
in Italian and also english language where you can see also somethiung about
the Squadron in which was your father.
The 487th was involved , in
one of his last missions (20 april 1945), on a great operation, the bombing of
the German Army Headquarters in Italy at Recoaro Terme in the territory of my
town Vicenza, North East Italy. Here there was the commander of Germans , Gen. Von Vietinghoff-Schell. A few day after this raid German signed the surrender of German
Army in
With other two friends I
wrote also a book about this mission, "Recoaro 1945, The surrender of
German Army in
I think you can agree some
photos of the bombing in which the 487th was a protagonist
In the photos:
Some 1/48 models of B-25s of
the 487th and 487th involved in the mission.
The crew list of the 487th
in the mission One photo of the bombardment.
The box
score of the mission.
I have more other about the
487th.
Best compliments for your
wonderful web site.
All the best
Giuseppe
Versolato [
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: DTaddei@aol.com [mailto:DTaddei@aol.com]
Sent:
To:
Subject: (sans sujet)
Doug and Frank,
the 8Y was the 327630. My friend Frank
thinks that the landscape seems to be the background of Calvi Ile Rousse,
Frank told me the
right tale about the belly Landing, the pilot was Lt Charles Horton from
the 488th BS 340th BG , he was carrying the 340th BG
musicians band Orchestra to the Napoleon Bonaparte Hotel for a ball at ïle
Rousse North West coast of
Frank's Father
recalls very well the crash.
I think that it
happened
Doug did you get
the 8Y photo ? As i read in one of your message that
it was difficult to get some photos i was wondering if
a belly Landing might be sent in your mail.
Frank j'ai reçu la feuille du Certificat
de remerciement du 57th BW, donne moi ton adresse exacte et je te
l'envoie par la poste.
Dominique
Doug
!
Whoooooaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh
!!!!!?????? Where did
you get such beautiful treasures, sure your Father Album is one of the best i
ever seen about the 340th BG, this last photo confirms that i was right it was
the 8Y not far
from the beach of Lozari nearby Calvi. Congratulations, in 10 years of
research, bit by bit we have more details about certain events; do you imagine to get such photo in the field. Fantastic, we do not drill
oïl as you are doing and my son too with his horizontal drill but we are
drilling in History and this my friend is the best
well i ever dig.
As Frank Dean was
telling me 10 years ago " Dig my friend" and
you will learn something.
Thank
you Doug. You made my
day.
Dominique
I forgot to tell
you, no problem Doug about your photos, the medium bomber book is finished and
printed but as we hope to open a museum in
As i know that
you live in Saudi Arabia, i guess that i can't send you my book, just give
me an adress and i 'll send you my book.
Dominique
Doug,
from my archive this photo. A pilot of the 487th.
He is Lt. W.M. Hartman and
was in mission in the 7Y.
It may be that this photo
has been taken after
the end of war in the States.
It is well visible his
personal baggage with the badge of the Squadron.
Giuseppe
Nice image with the Black
Knight!
I was thinking last night
that you experienced the bombs the 340th BG was dropping from the other
end. I remember as a young boy asking my
father what he thought about innocent people on the ground getting one of his
bombs. I don't remember his exact reply
but I know he was proud to have done a job for his country and to have an
effect on the outcome.
Thanks
Doug
Yes Doug,
many people were involved and
killed in the bombardments... but it was the" price" of the Freedom of Italy.
People paid the terrific alliance of Mussolini and his gouvernment
with the nazism.
Have you a
Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year
Giuseppe
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Doug
If you ever make it to
Robert Ball - Crewmember
YAF B-25 D Yankee Warrior
GraveRobber [
Hi Doug
It's too early yet in the year. We haven't got any dates set yet. We usually post them on the web site but that can get out of date real quick sometimes. Check back in about April.
WWW.Yankeeairmuseum.org Our B-25 was in W.W.II with the 340th, 489th.
Rob Ball
Hi Doug
She is 9-C, 43-3634. We
think she was named Ellen E. & Son. Unfortunately,We
don't have a photo that shows Ellen E. with the tail number at the same time.
She was a replacement for the aircraft that were destroyed by
I think the first 9-C was
"Talking for Joe" The 3rd was the one destroyed on the ground. The
4th 9-C was "Ruthie". The last (5th) 9-C was "Wabbit
Twacks".
Rob Ball
Doug I have like many of us
been researching my Dad's time in a B-25. I have many pictures. He
was a tailgunner in the 486th. flew 51 missions
. I have his missing crew members reports etc. Mike
Laney helped me with that. Dad's plane was shot down in 1943 on the way
to a target. the crew survived and he spent 2
days in the water before being rescued. As a kid I remember him talking
about the plane and the name on the nose was the Royal Flush. I have pictures of it ,
not real good, but i have searched for more and any history on the plane.
This afternoon sitting at the computer and browsing through the 57th e-mails I
came across yours and I was viewing your site with your fathers
photos. These are great. I happened to click on the unknown bomber
site and I could not believe that you had a picture of the Royal Flush.
Kinda gave me the goose bumps! If this was the plane that was shot down
do you have any suggestions on identifying tail numbers
or how to find which plane they were assigned to after the crash.
This is a 486th plane so it is not unknown any more. Doug I am down in
Ron Holman [
Son
of Ralph L. Holman
Hello Doug,
Would I be out of line to
ask for the pictures of your 486th planes. There are so many on your site that I don't
have, and would love to show them on my 486th site that I am redoing. At the risk of being greedy I could use all
of the 486th planes.
I like the changes you made
to your site, keep up the good work.
Thank
you Herman Voss Herman
Voss [hvoss216@bellsouth.net]
Hi Herman,
Yes you are welcome to them
just give credit to my father, Capt. Charles Cook- Pilot 487th Squadron.
You can right click, save
as, to copy them.
Cheers,
Doug Cook
Hi Mike,
I'm very glad to
hear from you. Its very possible that our fathers
knew one another. Since I have found that
my father flew the 7F on
Do you know what dates your father was stationed where? Dominic Taddei DTaddei@aol.com may be able to help you with some information especially if he can link you to Dave Mershon who wrote the 7F story.
I appreciate the photo search for my father. And to go a step further, if you can get photos scanned, I would be happy to expand my website to include your father's photos with full credit. This would be a great addition to the 487th site.
Looking forward to hearing more from you,
Doug Cook
Central Area Exploration Division
Saudi Aramco
From:
Sent:
To: douglas.cook@aramco.com; douglas.cook@aramco.com
Subject: 487th Bomb Group website - 7F Story - Please read...
Hi Doug
I was looking on the web for my dad's bomb group and came across your website. My dad was part of the 487th bomb group - 7f.
I saw a picture of the crew listed under the "willie saga" and saw that my dad's name was listed as unknown. Well, :)
The name of the man holding the ladder all the way to the left is Michael F. Tarkany, who was the crew chief T/Sgt.
He did live in
I'm curious to know.. did your dad ever tell you any stories, any information regarding his missions.. or do you remember him mentioning my dad? These stories are hard to come by, and we have pics with some facts but of course no stories.
Any information would be appreciated. We have a few photo albums my dad took during the war, and I will try to look for your dad's name on the back of pictures.
Best regards,
Mike Tarkany
Hope to hear from you.
-----
Hello
I am glad that the photographs were of use, I try now to send you the Accident
Report sheet after sheet (6 in total). I think that your father is cited in the
page 6 of the report! A.R. provide also 6 photographs pages with aerial views
of the landing strip (the B25 is badly visible). The photographs are of poor
quality, if you want, I send you it
tomorrow.
After disarmament and disassembling of instrumentation, Lil
Scooper stayed several days on the beach without guard. A friend, aged of
75years, tell me that a day, he go to Losari beach, (about 3miles SW from
l’Ile-Rousse), with an old man who need a piece of metal to repair a motorcycle
or a car, I don’t remember well.
In addition, a sister of my grandmother remembered the day
when she saw that plane dismounted on a truck, which passed on the road in
front of a family house. It was probably in February 1945, Lil scooper returned
to her home base. The report tells us that she could be repaired, perhaps she
flied again?!
Best
regards
FranckFranck Allegrini [
Attached are the pictures
and additional data regarding my late father in law Sgt. Don Kenney for your
website on the 487th.
Let me know if this transmission is too much & I can resend them
piecemeal. There should be one pdf, one
Word doc & 41 jpgs.
Most of the titles to the
pictures are taken directly from the handwritten notes Don made on the
back. A few were blank so I added a
title. I am certain that the
Thanksgiving picture was from 1944 & not
1945 as noted.
There are also a couple of
pictures he got from other flyers including his Navy buddy Eddie with what
appears to be a B-24. I love the
"Dirty Dozen" reference circa 1944!
Also some family pictures with his Mom, Brother Frank & Sister
Anne. I do not know who the person in
the B-29 picture is: I assume he obtained this from a fellow flyer later.
The pdf appears to come from
a unit reunion but I do not believe that Don attended.
The Word doc is a narrative
that I prepared based on what we know about his experiences.
Please credit all materials
to his widow Marilyn Kenney & her children.
If we dig up more materials
I will send them to you. Thanks much for
maintaining this website; it means a lot to his family that folks still
remember & honor the sacrifices men like Don Kenney & the rest of the
487th made.
Terry McGill
I signed the Guest book on
your website. Thank you for putting together such a great piece of
history. I was just looking through a family photo album last night and
came across the picture attached…hopefully your computer doesn’t choke on the
size. It is my Great Uncle Albert William Schang…Crew Chief for the 487th
7J aircraft. I only knew it was my Great Uncle before I found your
website. It’s amazing what history you find when you look.
Thanks again for spending the
time to put together such a great website. If you have any contact with
other people in my Great Uncles crew, let me know.
Dennis Schang [
Dennis Schang
Manufacturing
Engineer
Phone
Fax
Hi David,
Thanks for
writing. I appreciate the kind word about my Uncle Orrin. He was
fortunate to have had good friends.
If you can suggest
any changes or additions to the website, I would
be glad to accommodate.
If you have a
digital copy of the Arizona Harris article, I would
love to see it.
Sincerely,
Doug Cook
Northwest Arabia Team Leader
Central Area Exploration Division
Saudi
Dhahran
From: David & Jennifer [mailto:sunpir8@cox.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: Orrin
Hi,
I knew Orrin in the last
years of his life. I met him here in
Sincerely,
David Vitagliano
Center for Success
At-Risk Coordinator
Hello
My daughter found all of the picture's on the computer. My, how familiar most of them are!
I am
I will tell you a little about
him. I have his "Log Book". He completed "71"
complete missions while he was in
He had a baby daughter, Sandra
Harlynn while he was there. She was born on
I will be 83 years old on April 6th. I have the three children, two in-law children (Deb's husband passed away 11 years ago), nine
Grand children
and 10 Great Grand children. I have often wondered about Mac, Sy and Bob. I know
after George's ship went down and he finally got back, he was sent
home. I was in
It was wonderful looking at the pictures and will check on buying the book.
God Bless you and your family.
ca
I knew your father in
As a matter of fact, we were
on the same boat that carried us to
My phone is:
Hoping to
hear from you.
David Konigsberg
rose [
Hi David,
It's certainly a pleasure to
hear from you. I live in
I take it that you got this
contact from my website. http://www.reddog1944.com/
If you have any suggestions or corrections, I
would be glad to hear them. More
importantly, I would be honored to put a web section about your WWII
experiences and a bio about you. Do have
photos that can be scanned? I could put
them up with credit and rights reserved to you.
Pictures on my web pages cannot be copied (e.g. right mouse click copy
is disabled).
If you remember my father,
do you have any stories to tell about him?
Did you know Mac McLaughlin,
Harvey Hyland, Bloomberg, or Sarengelli?
They appeared in my father's
I look forward to hearing
more from you.
Doug Cook
--------------------------------------------------
Hi again David,
I see your name appearing on
the roster for the
Do you recall that
mission? I posted this reference on my
website:
http://members.northrock.bm/~ehetzel/aboutdec1044.html
MISSIONS
http://www.giuseppeversolato.it/News/dettaglio.asp?IdNews=35
340th BG 487th BS - SN
43-27570 - 7H WHITE LITENIN
(see attached- know anyone in that photo?)
I hope I am not being too
demanding of your memories and perhaps sensitivities to them. You are the first contact I have had from the
487th who recalls my father.
Cheers from
Doug Cook
David recalled that Charlie
was one hell of a poker player. David
bet big on a hand he was sure to win but lost to Charlie who had four
kings. David explained that gambling was
big in the 340th Bomb Group in Alesan,
David vividly recalled the
deadly German bombing and strafing raid on the Alesan base in May 1944. He realized how vulnerable they were intheir
tents at night. After that, each tent
had a foxhole or trench dug next to it to dive into for cover.
He began as a copilot for 20 missions with Buck Parish as his
pilot. When he became proficient at
landing, he became pilot. David flew 65
B-25 combat missions plus six weeks flying C-47 transport before shipping back
home.
From: Bob Knox [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: 486th Bomb Squadron Photos
Dear Mr. Cook,
Let me introduce
myself. My name is Robert Knox (most folks call me Bob) and I am a
teacher of World War II history. In the 1960's while in school, I worked
part time for TV repair shop here in
He leaned over a counter and
withdrew a large photo album filled with photos of B-25's, wrecked German
aircraft and other views. Many of the photos were of nose art from the
486th Bomb Squadron. I borrowed the book and had many --but not all -- of
the photos photographically copied by one of the local
Anyway, I have different
photos from the ones on your web site (which is terrific, by the way) and
include the following: 6J - Ladies Delight; 6E - 43-28080; 6C which
I think is the "The Kewanee Kid II" (hard to read the
name); San Antonio Rose;
Briefing Time; Queen Mary,
Sweat and Pray; 6N; 6U; 6Y and a great shot of 6E -43-28080 tail markings
centered in the flak damaged outer starboard wing. Also a photo of Mr. Pulos in uniform with his hand
grasping a bullet or flak hole in the tail of a wrecked Ju-88 Bomber.
Also included in this collection is a 3/4 left-rear view of a damaged
Me-109F-4/Tropical Version fighter in a wicker-like revetment with a black
(maybe red) 15 outlined in white on the fuselage just aft the cockpit.
Are you interested
in having copies of these photos (for free, of course). I just
want to share them with you to promote and expand the history of this B-25
unit. E-mail me back if you are interested. If you could also tell
me how to get a crew list of the men of the 486th, I'd like to know which
aircraft Mr. Pulos few one. I suspect he flew some missions in 6J -
Ladies Delight, as there are several photos of this
particular aircraft.
Thanks,
Bob K.
Dear Bob,
I am sorry to have
taken so long to get to your email. I was traveling in the States and
have just returned to my desk in
I would be very
interested in getting copies of the photos. Have you scanned them?
If so you could send as email attachments. I would like to put them up on
the website with credit to John Pulos and to you. It would also honor John
if you have any more information or anecdotes he may have shared with you.
I will see if I
have any mission sheets from the 486th that may help.
Dominique Taddei may be able to help and is copied on this.
He will be interested in the photos also since he is the curator of
a museum in
Hope to hear back
from you,
Doug Cook
Saudi Aramco
From: Bob Knox [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Re: 486th Bomb Squadron Photos
Hi Doug,
Sure good to hear from
you. I, myself have been "out of the country" for most of
August. Took a tour of the Canadian Rockies -- What
great scenery. Anyway, It's been a while
since I tried to attach photos to my e-mail, So, what I going to do is attempt
to send three or four at a time until I get the hang of it.
Dear Bob,
All three sets of
photos came through and I have them saved.
I will be glad to include them with the photos I have for the 486th
Squadron with credits to you and John Pulos.
I looked at the 486th mission sheets I have from Herman Voss
but they only go from
Thanks again,
Doug Cook
From: Butterbaugh, Todd [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: research for any of my grandfathers records / memories
Doug,
I am in search of any information about my grandfather. From some old photos that I have gathered from his basement, I know that he was in the 340th BG 487th BS. Here are a couple of the images that I have put onto a contact sheet. His name was Telmo Suarez. He also went by Ted. If you have any information, please let me know. If you can identify anyone, please let me know also.
Thanks
TODD M. BUTTERBAUGH
PROJECT ESTIMATOR
READING
direct:
Todd,
Thanks for the
email and pictures. Ted was definitely
in the 487th given the plaque with the “black knight” emblem. I’m guessing the time frame was in 1945 near
the end of the war since the quonset hut picture does
not look like the base in Alesan,
If you know his
I have copied this to a
historian in
Cheers from
Doug Cook
Central Area Exploration
Division
Saudi Aramco
Phone 966-3-873-7724
Todd,
I have begun a web
page for Telmo (Ted) Suarez. I will
update it when we can find out more about his service record or the
photos. Your grandfather did proudly
serve in the 487th squadron and I’m glad to have the submission to
post.
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Sq_Telmo_Suarez.htm
Cheers from
Doug Cook
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug,
Thank you so much
for your help. The web page looks great! You don’t know how much
this means to me. Once again I thank you.
Todd M.
Butterbaugh
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Dominique and Doug,
I found these pictures among my many and thought you'd be interested. I was 4' 11" so you can see how short he was. These were taken in 1943.
My son and daughter-in-law said they cannot find the album of the planes, etc. But, I do believe they have them and don't want to give them to me in case I don't give them back.
If I find any more I will send them to you.
More later,
Hi
You made a very
attractive couple. I will gladly add
these to the web page. If your son and
daughter in-law don’t want to part with the original pictures perhaps they can
get them scanned. If they don’t have the
equipment ( a computer scanner is inexpensive) it can
be done at someplace like a Kinkos or even a Walgreens photo shop. I would be glad to reimburse the
expense. I feel connected because
Cheers from
Doug Cook
-----Original Message-----
From: Cristina McCoy [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: corsica
Hello,
Thank you for your website. It has helped fill in some pieces of my
Dad's experience.
during WWII.
My Dad was assigned to a support unit (324th) for your Dad's
squadron. His name is
Juventino Guerra, a
records for his
unit. Thank you for explaining the reason for the bombing Alesan
base. My Dad did
not share much information about his experiences during WWII. It was
only after I
married and had children, that Dad began to tell a few stories, the
bombing of the
Alesan base among them.
Dad is 90 years and suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, so obtaining
any new/more
information about his time in
My brother visited today, and mentioned that the Ken Burns' "War"
episode which aired
last night was about the bombing at the Alesan base. I missed it, but
will try to purchase
the episode to better understand that day.
We have many pictures from Dad's assignment in
few months, I'll
check to see if I can find any of your Dad.
Thank you again for sharing your Dad's story and history. May God
bless all those
who fought, and those who gave their lives during WWII.
Sincerely,
Cristina Guerra McCoy
Hi,
Thanks for writing. My father rarely talked about the war either and conspicuously never mentioned the Alesan raid. How can I get a copy of the TV piece on that incident?
Thanks,
Doug Cook
Dhahran,
From: Roger Juglair [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Courtesy for pictures on your site
Good Morning Mr Doug,
I am Roger Juglair. may be you find my name in Don Kaiser site, I am preparing a book on my town bombing raid on 23rd august 1944, fot illustrate him I need some picture of planes of 340th Bg so I ask to you to be autorized to use them.
Waiting for your wishes.
Your's faithfully.
Juglair Roger
NB: Escuse me for my pityfull english
Roger,
I would be glad to
help. I need more information on what
you need. What is your town?
I find this data
from Herman Voss- the 340th BG (486, 487,488, 489)
raids that date were in
I have no
information of specific planes that flew these missions. If you want some representative photos from
these squadrons, let me know which ones and I can provide them with assurances
that they will be properly credited.
I am very
interested in the story of the raid on your town. If you can provide me with details, stories,
and / or photos, I would be glad to put up a web page documenting it.
Cheers,
Doug Cook
BARBARA CONNOLLY
[princessbarbi_b25@msn.com]
Wow, Doug.
. .Saudi ? Now-a-days, anyone can be anyone, are you the Ambassador ? I have a really cool photo of 321st BG,445th
BS, Dick Krause, all decked-out in robes with a beard (i'd say in his 60 's) NO
way could I have recognized him !
No, I am one of the
New-kids on the block, in fact, in every way. My Dad/Ed Ennis, 321st BG,
447th BS, passed
Last Nov 1st, Vinnie gave me
permission to add "a few photo's" into the 57th Wing Albums.... after
I passed 2000, (In the 321st BG) he gave me permission to go into all Groups,
at Easter, someone broke into the 57th Gallery and left some inappropriate
remarks, Vinnie changed to a
As the ball rolls downhill, not always fair, I am now in the 340th BG
at last, I placed and re-did the rest of Clair Clark's yesterday.
http://57thbombwing.com/gallery2/v/MenOf57th/321stBG/
My Dad/Ed's 321stBG
My Dad's Album http://57thbombwing.com/gallery2/v/MenOf57th/321stBG/447thSquadron/Edward_C_Ennis_T_Sgt/
I have more than 500 photo's of other men/groups, and now over 800 in the
"fun" general Categories
http://57thbombwing.com/gallery2/v/Aircraft/
I would like to represent
YOUR Dad now, To say that your site (s) are marvelous, is an understatement
! I would like to start on his album, but will need you to forward me the
actual photo's, now I can run 2 programs, and look up the info as I go, but I
need the photo's, Please. After that, I need all other's you can send, or
direct me to (Todd Butterbaugh got me first, and his album went in before you
placed his site in yours)... also, Dave Koenigsburg is going to be sending
scans, while I have placed a small, not very good album on him to get
started. I even got something out of Jerry Rosenthal, a grumpy-wonderful
man, I ma the one who got him the "Little Bell" last Spring (The "men" call me PRINCESS,
and I love them all.
When the Squad Histories came up
digitalized, last Nov. John "Butch" Fitzgerald (446th BS) did what I
did, and most others, he started in his Dad's time-frame, I already had the
321st Printed, and dozens of Pilot/Crew Logs, and Diaries....which I sent him,
and he has "quite literally" typed in the War-Diary
"word-for-word", added the Logs, and now Dave Charville (445th BS)
has gotten us the Missions, Butch is adding them now. I am matching
ships to serials for Bob Haney, and progress is being made all around.
OH, Butch has agreed to continue on and "write"
Paul Gale came for a very short
visit, on his way to Alaska, but I photographed 300 pages of the books he
brought me to see. . .
OK, enough out of me, I am only
doing so good because no one has said that I may not ! HA
! Our history, with all of these people involved, is going to be
HUGE when all added together ! We are all so
very excited about it, and I am in a hurry, as I love
talking to the Vets themselves, and getting the stories. Thanks for the
time this has taken from your important day, and PLEASE say YES
! and send me all of the photo's you can
(One vet sent OVER 250 !, I scanned them in and sent right back !)
A pleasure to meet you Doug,
remember you know a whole LOT more than I, Please give me all corrections,
news, new idea's....anything ! Blessings, Barbi
I am pretty PROUD of MY Dad / http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/ennis.html (1/2
done)
From: Roger Juglair [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Courtesy for pictures on your site
My town is
Pont-Saint-Martino, actually Pont San Martino.
I want to describe all the
missions of 23rd august 1944, and a short history of 340th BG, so I need
picture illustrating airplanes of the Group and for 488th aand 489th BG a
picture illustrating any plane partipate to this mission
Thjans for your reply
Roger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> B-25s in formation from
my father's war album: Credit 487th Squadron
Thanks for your
collaboration,
For the 23rd august I have
reconstitute all missions on
So I need pictures for plane
involved in this attacks.
Now I am at work and I can't
send to you any material but only a picture of my town before and after the
attack on wich there the two bridges considerated target.
Thanks for all
Roger
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
….I sent Roger all of Chas.
Cook’s 488th and 489th Squadron Plane photos
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks,
you
are great,
for
the raid were ordered the following plane
488th
8J -N.43-27695
Pilota
Sec.Pilota KROENING
Puntatore
ROSENTHAL
Op.
Radio SQUIRE
Mitragliere WOYTEK
Mitragliere LOCKHART
8K -N.43-27504
Pilota GROSSKOPF
Sec.Pilota HOLTZ
Puntatore PFEFFER
Op. Radio ZIEGLER
Mitragliere EWAN
Mitragliere RICKE
8T -N.43-27669 -
Pilota ASWAD
Sec.Pilota HOWARD
Puntatore DAVIDSON
Navigatore
BURGER
Op.
Radio LAZOR
Mitragliere
Mitragliere HIDGINS
8E -N.43-35983
Pilota GROSS
Sec.Pilota KING
Puntatore FISCHER
Op. Radio GREENBAUM
Mitragliere GASPERINO
Mitragliere ROSIN
8M -N.43-4055
Pilota
SHIPNMAN
Sec.Pilota LACEY
Puntatore
MOODY
Op. Radio
Mitragliere BARTELL
Mitragliere SLIMOWITZ
8B -N.43-3990
Pilota
HELLYAR
Sec.Pilota KIRK
Puntatore
ROBINSON
Op.
Radio FOND
Mitragliere
ILJANA
Mitragliere TAFOYA
8P -N.43-276657
Pilota REAGAN
Sec.Pilota SALLEN
Puntatore HELLER
Op. Radio MIROCNICK
Mitragliere RACKNYER
Mitragliere SMITH
8U -N.43-4064
Pilota CLIFFORD
Sec.Pilota GMACHL
Puntatore YOHANNAN
Op. Radio GREEN
Mitragliere KLINKNER
Mitragliere
SIMS
8N- N.43-27752
Pilota
RAPP
Sec.Pilota STEED
Puntatore
O’BRIEN
Navigatore
SLOAN
Op.
Radio ANDERSON
Mitragliere
GORSKI
Mitragliere
HIGGINS
8R -N.43-27474
Pilota
McDONALD
Sec.Pilota VERTREES
Puntatore
BARDNELL
Op.
Radio MARTIN
Mitragliere
BLAND
Mitragliere
RYBA
8Q -N.43-4025
Pilota
SWIFT
Sec.Pilota RITTER
Puntatore
ATKINSON
Op.
Radio GOODELL
Mitragliere PORTER
Mitragliere KERKHAN
8Z -N.43-27537
Pilota DUNCAN
Sec.Pilota MUMMEY
Puntatore
HOUSEHOLDER
Op. Radio McGLOIN
Mitragliere CHESNEY
Mitragliere BERTAGNA
489th
S
-N.43-34080 – “Knock Out”
Pilota
Sec.Pilota CLINCH
Navigatore STEWART
Op. Radio
Mitragliere DIETERT
Mitragliere
9X -N.43-4000 – “Queen Mary” [Sent photo from Chas. Cook
collection]
Pilota INSLEY
Sec.Pilota SCHRAMECK
Puntatore HOEFFLINGER
Op. Radio MISKOY
Mitragliere DI MARTINI
Mitragliere SHINE
9Z- N.43-27667– “Coming
over Hun” [Sent
photo from Chas. Cook collection]
Pilota CRITTENDEN
Sec.Pilota ROUSE
Puntatore BRODEK
Navigatore O’CONNELL
Op. Radio ANGLAND
Mitragliere ONIDI
Mitragliere CRESCENZI
9W -N.43-27659 -
Pilota McLAIN
Sec.Pilota HARPER
Puntatore RICHMAN
Op. Radio COOPER
Mitragliere CUMMINGS
Mitragliere
9T-N.43-27485–“
Pilota CONVIS
Sec.Pilota McKINLEY
Puntatore SIMPSON
Op. Radio EIKHOFF
Mitragliere REINHARD
Mitragliere
BROWN
9H -N.43-27705 – “Black Jack” [Sent
photo from Chas. Cook collection]
Pilota INSLEY
Sec.Pilota SCHRAMECK
Puntatore HOEFFLINGER
Op. Radio MISKOY
Mitragliere DI MARTINI
Mitragliere SHINE
Some year later I
interwiewed former Lt. Rober Burger, bombardier leadre for this mission.
On 8
MISSIONS SUMMARY
OF12th et 15th Air Force on
|
Time |
Coord. |
Target |
Group |
Type |
N* |
Bombs |
Tonnage |
Losses |
|
7.35 |
T 4012 |
Iles Pomegues (T 397115) |
86th FG |
P 47 D |
8 |
15 |
3,75 |
|
|
8.00 |
Strafing |
Lyon -Orange |
4°FG (FFL) |
P 47 D |
8 |
|
|
|
|
8.50 |
T 4113 |
Iles Ratonneau |
27th FG |
P 47 D |
8 |
16 |
4,00 |
|
|
9.15 |
S 2446 |
Montpellier |
321st BG |
B 25 J |
18 |
72 |
32,69 |
|
|
9.25 |
N 3215 |
Branoux-la-Paillade |
340th BG |
B 25 J |
18 |
72 |
32,69 |
|
|
9.45 |
N 9254 |
Montélimar (bridge N885564) |
321st BG |
B 25 J |
15 |
47 |
21,34 |
|
|
9.55 |
X 8967 |
Saint Alban du Rhône |
310th BG |
B 25 J |
6 |
24 |
10,90 |
|
|
9.55 |
X 8967 |
Givors |
310th BG |
B 25 J |
6 |
24 |
10,90 |
|
|
9.55 |
X 8967 |
Givors |
310th BG |
B 25 J |
24 |
96 |
43,58 |
|
|
10.00 |
S964854 |
Avignon |
319th BG |
B |
17 |
68 |
30,87 |
|
|
10.00 |
S964854 |
Avignon |
3éme BG (FFL) |
B |
12 |
24 |
10,90 |
1 |
|
10.00 |
Escort |
Wien, St Polten (Autriche) * |
Escorte 15th AF |
P51-P38 |
400 |
|
|
1 |
|
10.00 |
Bombing |
Wien, St Polten (Autriche) * |
Bombardier 15th AF |
B24-B17 |
472 |
|
|
11 |
|
10.06 |
L 841076 |
Covigliaio (FI) |
320th BG - 442 BS |
B |
8 |
32 |
14,53 |
|
|
10.06 |
L 841076 |
Covigliaio (FI) |
320th BG - 444 BS |
B |
11 |
44 |
19,98 |
2 |
|
10.26 |
|
Castiglione dei Pepoli (BO) |
17th BG |
B |
18 |
144 |
65,38 |
|
|
10.30 |
Q 857897 |
San Pietro a Sieve (FI) |
17th BG |
B |
15 |
55 |
24,97 |
|
|
13.00 |
T 4012 |
Iles Pomegues (T 397115) |
86th FG |
P 47 D |
5 |
10 |
2,50 |
|
|
14.00 |
Strafing |
Carpentras - Orange |
4°FG (FFL) |
P 47 D |
8 |
|
0,00 |
|
|
14.10 |
T 4113 |
IleRatonneau |
27th FG |
P 47 D |
6 |
12 |
3,00 |
|
|
14.30 |
N 8755 |
Cuneo - Demonte - Argentera |
4°FG (FFL) |
P 47 D |
8 |
16 |
4,00 |
|
|
16.05 |
N 7847 |
Valvighéres |
324th FG |
P 47 D |
11 |
21 |
5,25 |
|
|
16.50 |
T 8586 |
|
79th FG |
P 47 D |
3 |
6 |
1,50 |
|
|
17.15 |
T 4012 |
Iles Pomegues |
4°FG (FFL) |
P 47 D |
8 |
16 |
4,00 |
|
|
17.30 |
J-172864 |
Pont Saint Martin |
340th BG - 488th BS |
B 25 J |
12 |
48 |
21,79 |
|
|
17.30 |
J-172864 |
Pont Saint Martin |
340th BG - 489th BS |
B 25 J |
4 |
4 |
1,82 |
|
|
17.45 |
H-691637 |
Borgone Susa |
321st BG |
B 25 J |
6 |
12 |
5,45 |
|
|
17.45 |
H-691637 |
Coazze |
321st BG |
B 25 J |
12 |
24 |
10,90 |
|
|
17.55 |
T 397115 |
Iles Pomegues (T 397115) |
86th FG |
P 47 D |
8 |
16 |
4,00 |
|
|
18.15 |
H-691637 |
Borgone Susa |
310th BG |
B 25 J |
18 |
72 |
32,69 |
|
|
18.19 |
S964854 |
Avignon r/r Bridge |
340th BG - 486th BS |
B25 J |
14 |
56 |
25,42 |
|
|
18.19 |
S964854 |
Avignon r/r Bridge |
340th BG - 487th BS |
B25 J |
8 |
32 |
14,53 |
|
|
18.19 |
S964854 |
Avignon r/r Bridge |
340th BG - 489th bs |
B25 J |
7 |
1889 |
102,01 |
|
|
18.50 |
S 5880 |
Nice |
4°FG (FFL) |
P 47 D |
8 |
16 |
4,00 |
|
|
19.10 |
S 5880 |
Nice |
324th FG |
P 47 D |
8 |
16 |
4,00 |
|
|
19.15 |
S 7182 |
Monaco |
86th FG |
P 47 D |
5 |
10 |
2,50 |
|
|
23.45 |
|
Po Valley - Nice to Savona - Rhône
Valley |
47 BG |
A 20 |
12 |
|
|
|
Hi Roger,
You have more mission
information than I do. I see that at least some of the planes I
sent from the 489th fit your mission list. From your
photos yesterday, it seems that the town I found on Google Earth is not yours.
Also, the mission was a big risk for civilian casualties with the bridges
right in the midst of historic buildings. I can assure you that the B-25
bombing missions in
I don’t know how
you feel about these young men- 18 to 25 years old- given the grave
responsibility to carry out these missions. Many did not return. I
know my father (487th BS) saw many of his friends go down in flames
but he did not talk about it. He did the job he was assigned to do and
brought his crew back alive after each of 70 missions.
Was any of your
family hurt in the raid? If so, I offer my condolences but am glad that
Doug Cook
From: Roger Juglair [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Courtesy for pictures on your site
Hi Doug,
Our Air Force bombed Abissinia(with mustard gas !!), finally Allies bombed and
invaded
We lost the war and any victims was for Mussolini decision.
Allied bombing killed 50.000 civilians. the
cost on civilian lives maded by fascist and nazi Army was the same.
I am in conctact by mail with
Burger and I had the pleasure to spoke with Mr Greenbaum, so I know the situtation
american soldiers and pilots. They risk their lives
for our freedom, many of them died for grant to us
democracy.
For the reason of the bombing
of my town, probably was the possibility the German Armored forces passed from Piccolo
San Bernardo Pass. A very difficult way, probably the HQ made an error on
evaluation of the danger this way of communication was.
130 peoples died, on this day
14
This was the war, the Hitler
and Mussolini war, all charges, also the aAllied's
mistakes are on charges of them
Sincerely
Roger
PS:
I wrote from my work bureau.
Robert w Gaffney
[
Dear Doug: My Uncle George P. Gaffney (Bud) 36503953
was in the 12th
Air Force,
340th Bomb Group (M), 487th BombSqd. I know he served in
He served as an electrician
for the B 25 bomber, the Red Ass. He was insturmental in developing a radio
bomb release for which he received the Legion of Merit.
I have a copy of the 487th
Squadron Album. There is a photo in
which your father appears on page 109.
If there is additional information of interest I would be happy to
forward it to you.
Bob Gaffney E-Mail thegaffer1@juno.com
Robert,
Thanks for the email. I have the 487th Album that was printed about
May 1944 just after they arrived in
The radio release technique
from the lead plane greatly increased bombing accuracy. My father's bomb run photos specify if they
were radio release. I would be very
appreciative if you could send documentation of your uncle and his invention so
we could put up a web page dedicated to him and the success of radio release
bombing (see attached).
Thanks,
Doug Cook
From: Esther Owen [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: 487 bomb sq.
Mr. Cook,
Thanks for maintaining your
web-site dedicated to the men of the 487th bombardment squadron. My father flew
in that unit from April 1944 thru December of 1944 and was the pilot of the Sky
Demon serial 43-4039 7Y. He was 1st.Lt. Howard L. Owen and we did not know much
about his wartime experiences as he didn't talk about it much. After his death
I acquired his military papers and some very faded pictures and then the other day found your site which brought
together a lot of unanswered questions. In some of the papers I found notes he
had made in reference to different planes he flew in besides the Sky Demon, 7Q,
7V, 7W, 7Z to name a few. In his notes I found were he had written that the Sky
Demon had been shot up badly on
Donald L. Owen
son of
Lt.
Howard.L.Owen
Donald,
Thanks for writing
and your comments about the web site. I
have enjoyed documenting whatever I can about the 340th BG and the
487th BS specifically. It has
been fitting together pieces of a puzzle to get some insight into what our
fathers went through. Thank you for the
info about “Sky Demon”. My father had
more photos of it than any other plane in his album. I would like to add the lines below that I
have underlined to the section on Sky Demon if I can get your permission. I
believe the word after Frags is
Thanks,
Doug Cook
Hey Doug,
Please go ahead and add those lines on your site
as I'm sure it may be something other families might be interested in. I
am gathering up some of my dads papers and have been seeing some of the names
on your site including your fathers name on one of the records of Dads when he
received an Air Medal. I am in the process of taking digital photos of that and
scanning what few pictures we have. I also have a program from the 487th B.S.
second anniversary which I will attempt to photograph and send to you. That was
dad's home address after the war and even though Dad had several
addresses in his papers he told me that he never made an attempt to
contact any of those he served with other than his life long friend Paul Parker
whom we all knew growing up.
On another note, Dad's first mission was on
13 May- quote"Germans raided,
fiters above us about
I would like to tell you how I ended up with
Dads diary, a year or so after dad passed away I was going thru his papers with
my brother, in the box mixed up with everything was a leather "Pilots
Navigational Kit" very deteriorated and as we took papers, pictures
and some of the navigational pieces out I discovered a small pocket, in that
pocket was this little ruled booklet(one and a half inches square), very
brittle and in it was a record of dads missions(70) while stationed on Corsica.
We have since been trying to decipher it as some places are barely legible.
When Dad came home(December 1944) he was stationed at Douglas Arizona teaching
others how to fly B-25's and a friend from there told us that he knew Dad
in the war and that Dad had volunteered for every "Dam" mission that
he could. That man 1st Lt. Paul Parker was either in 487th or one of the other
Bomb Squadrons on
With this e-mail I will attempt to send you a
picture of Dad's crew, its one of the few that are
clear enough to scan. On the back in hand writing it says left to right,
Kenny(Hill), myself, Angelo(Triunfo), Quinlin(?), Olly(Oliver Buendel),
Ray(Heckman)
Please let me know if the attachment comes thru and I'll send
more pictures and photo's of documents. You can post
the picture if you want. Thanks again for keeping this site up, its got to be a great history lesson for all of us and today
as a veteran I salute you for keeping our fathers memories alive.
Donald Owen
-----Original Message-----
From: jimmy1017@grandecom.net [mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: 487th. sqn.
Doug,
I am a former B-25 pilot with the 487th. sqn. I was in
to Dec.30, 1944. I flew 66 missions . My name is shown on the mission sheets as
J.A.Littlefield. I have really enjoyed your web site very much. I have picture
of airplanes and the sqn. area that I would be happy to share with you . My
E-mail address is jimmy1017@grandecom.net. Please let me know if you would like
to see them. I remember your father's face but don't remember anything else
about him. I don't think that I ever flew in the same plane with him.
A former 87 year 487th pilot,
(Capt) James A. Littlefield
8601
(940)898-0370
Hi Jimmy,
It is an honor to have you respond to the website!
Yes, I would very much like to have anything you would like to share. I would be glad to put up a webpage dedicated to your service. Any photos would be credited to you and they are somewhat protected from direct copy.
It would be nice to include a brief bio and any stories/anecdotes you would like to tell. Training and promotions... Post WWII... Also, you could include any service awards and/or news clippings pertaining to your service. Your immediate family and a photo...
Perhaps you have one or access to a scanner. Scanners are inexpensive. Could get the items scanned as a .jpg file at 200-300 dpi resolution? This can be done at an office store like Kinkos also. Once scanned, you can email them here as attachments. Please include captions identifying the plane or crew.
Thank you again for contacting me and offering to share. You had an important place in history. I will try to call sometime soon.
Sincerely,
Doug Cook
> From:
> Sent: Thursday,
> To:
> Subject: 487th. sqn.
>
> Doug,
>
> I am a former B-25
pilot with the 487th. sqn. I was in
>
> the
mission sheets as J.A.Littlefield. I have really enjoyed your web
> site very much. I have
picture of airplanes and the sqn. area that I
> would be happy to share
with you .
> My
> E-mail address is
jimmy1017@grandecom.net. Please let me know if you
> would like to see them.
I remember your father's face but don't
> remember anything else
about him. I don't think that I ever flew in
> the
same plane with him.
>
>
> A former
87 year 487th pilot,
> (Capt)
James A. Littlefield
>
>
>
>
(940)898-0370
> Hi Jimmy,
>
> It is an honor to have
you respond to the website!
>
> Yes, I would very much like to have
anything you would like to share.
> I would be glad to put
up a webpage dedicated to your service.
Any
> photos
would be credited to you and they are somewhat protected from
> direct
copy.
>
> It would be nice to
include a brief bio and any stories/anecdotes you
> would like to tell.
Training and promotions... Post WWII... Also, you
> could include any
service awards and/or news clippings pertaining to
> your
service. Your immediate family and a
photo...
>
> Perhaps you have one or
access to a scanner. Scanners are inexpensive.
> Could get the items
scanned as a .jpg file at 200-300 dpi resolution?
> This can be done at an
office store like Kinkos also. Once
scanned,
> you
can email them here as attachments.
Please include captions
>
identifying the plane or crew.
>
> Thank you again for
contacting me and offering to share. You
had an
> important
place in history. I will try to call
sometime soon.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Doug Cook
>
Hi Doug,
Sorry that I didn’t get back to you. I have had a photographer put a lot of
previously unprinted pictures on a disk. These negatives were developed by me
in a tent over on
Thanks,
Jimmy
Hi Doug
Sorry I'm so late in sending
you this but I have been in
I will send you a list of
the photos this weekend. I have to get my son to help me .
I also have other photo that I will send.
Thanks,
Jimmy
From: Michael Zwierko [mailto:
Sent:
To: dtaddei@aol.com; ralph.gimenez@warwingsart.com
Cc:
Subject: 57th Bomb Wing in Corsica
Gentlemen,
You may not remember me, but I am the US Navy officer whose great uncle, 1LT
Casimir Klujsza, was the bombardier onboard B-25C "TUFF STUFF" when
it was shot down on a mission [Feb 13] 1944 [supplies mission between Nemi and
Lake Alband]. Thanks to you, I was able to start piecing together facts
regarding the 487th BS as well as the details about my great uncle and the two
B-25's that carried the name "TUFF STUFF". I appreciate your
generous research assistance thus far and would like to help contribute to the
shared knowledge database. Mr. Cook, your website has been a
wonderful and invaluable resource in my research as well.
Although my great uncle has long since passed away, I recently received one of
his personal WWII photo albums and a shadowbox from my
aunt (who is responsible for his estate). She knows that I have an avid
interest in my great uncle's life and she preserved these items for me to honor
his memory. The shadowbox contains his "Caterpillar" and
"Goldfish" cards (for bailing out of a damaged aircraft and surviving
a water recovery) along with photos, ribbons, his wings and "Black
Knight" leather bomber jacket patches. Looking through his photos,
some have already been documented so he must have traded with other members of
his unit. Other photos are undocumented as far as I know. Most
photos feature my great uncle (there are even shots of his war dog, Rosie), but
there are numerous others that feature members of the squadron along with
aircraft, including partial shots of B-25J "TUFF STUFF" that I have
never seen before. There are also what appear to
be bombing reconnaissance photos with lat/long info on the negative.
Although the photographs aren't of the highest quality and album isn't all
that big, there are some pictures which may be useful in preserving the
history of the 487th BS.
More than anything else, I would like to honor my great uncle and the men he
served with in the 487th BS. If high resolution scans of these items
would be of use in documenting/preserving the collective history of the 487th,
please let me know what I can do to help.
Best regards,
Michael Zwierko
Michael,
As you can see by
my the growth of my web-pages from submissions by people like yourself, I would
be honored to put up a section dedicated to your great uncle. I recommend the scans to be set for “photo”
at 300 dpi. It’s amazing what detail can
be revealed then. Also, if you can put
together a short bio and caption any of the photos, that
would really add to the value. If he had
any medals or citations, please try to document those as well. If the files are too large to email, you can
send me a CD at:
Doug Cook
POB 12253 Saudi
Aramco
Dhahran, 31311
I am currently
honored to be working with Capt. Jimmy Littlefield, an 87 year old former pilot
from the 487th. I just received
a CD from him with his photos that we are documenting.
I look forward to
working with you. This project has
helped me get closer to my father’s history and touched the lives of many other
families.
Sincerely,
Doug Cook
From: jimmy1017@grandecom.net
[mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: RE: 487thSqn
I left college at Christmas
break 1941 and went to work at a primary flying school at
I really worked hard to
finish early because they promised us leave for the no. of days that we
finished early. I finished at the same time as the class ahead of us. Since I
had almost 30 days leave, I rushed down to Base HQ. I got the papers to clear
the base, when I returned them completed, the Sgt. told that I could be gone
until
Photo Captions:
Pictures
049---Alesan, digging
foxholes after raid, lt. to rt. Ray Spurling (with shovel) John Miller, ? , Sgt. Boaz, Flt
050- Spurling & Miller
051-Same
052-
053- Out bound mission
054- Sqn. tents
055- Tent on the extreme
left is the latrine
057- Tents on left are
Officers quarters, next is the communications trailer, trailer and water tank
are Maj. Parsons quarters,
on the right
is the latrine, that was dug by some personnel,
who were caught inside a house of ill repute in
as punishment.
058- Mission returning.
059- Spurling & Miller
060- Edwin Kenyon & Boaz
061- Boaz & Miller
062- John Miller
063
064
065
066
067
068-Spurling
069- Invasion of
070- Miller
071- Road to airfield
072 Sqn. area
093- Lt Crandall & Lt.
Reimer
121- Littlefield, spurling
& Miller"s Home
137 Lt. Rushing'
s cub that he flew from
145- Sqn. officer's club on
extreme right
164-188-190- James
Littlefield
Hi Doug,
Hope that you have gotten
the names for the pictures, it's mostly an explanation
of the pictures. I don't remember seeing the sqn. album,
or it got lost when they lost my things on the trip back to the states. I saw my crews
picture on your website. It was a picture taken at
I was born in
Jimmy
From: Michael Zwierko [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: RE: 57th Bomb Wing in Corsica
Doug,
Thank you for the quick reply. It will take me some time to get the data together,
but it will be put on a CD as there are far too many photos to email at 300 dpi
a scan.
I was perusing your site and there is a group photo on the "Squadron
Album" page that shows your father on the far left and my great uncle
to his left with the dog "Rosie", so their service obviously
overlapped. I noticed that most of the mission crew lists on your site are for
late 1944 into 1945. Is there a resource where I might be able to
research earlier crew lists to find my great uncle's missions? I know for
a fact that he was part of the crew of B-25C "TUFF STUFF" the day it
was shot down, but I am guessing that the bombing mission aerial BDA photos in
his album represent some of his actual drops as bombardier. He died in
1991 and I was too young at the time to get that in-depth with him
about his time with the 487th (I'm only 30). There are no surviving
family members that know enough about my great
uncle's service in WWII to provide detailed descriptions and that is why
I have undertaken the task to research it myself. I wish I could go
back in time to when I was a kid listening to him and his stories about
the war, I have so many questions I would ask
him. Unfortunately, I only have detailed information from what was
uncovered after he died.
My great uncle "Charlie" was a real hero of mine and probably one of
the most influential people in my life. I am incredibly proud of him
and your website has helped me connect with his past in a
very real way now that I am old enough to fully appreciate his service.
My family and I are grateful for resources such as your website and I look
forward to working with you as well.
Mike
--------------------------------------------------
Mike,
I look forward to
working with you. I can search my Dad’s
487th BS Album which has most of its material from before May 1944
(approx date of publication). It will
not have specific mission sheets but it does have bomb run photos and crew
photos. Do you know you uncles’ dates of
service? I do have sheets that tell by
date and squadron what the mission target was.
Actual mission sheets are on microfilm at
The
If you know his
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: jimmy1017@grandecom.net
[mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: Re: 487thSqn Webpage up- still in progress
route going over Hi Doug,
The web page is great, I never expected anything to ever see anything like like
this. My thanks to you, Doug, it's great.
I have some other pictures to send you, but am having trouble getting them to
transmit. They are crew pictures, mission pictures and a better picture of the
Fourth of July bash.
The person in the Free White & Filty picture is Ray Spurling, my co-pilot. I
arrived at Alesans on
to
flight south of
I'll will get the pictures to you soon. Doug,
again thanks for what you are doing. The 487th. Sgn. will live for a long time.
Jimmy
Hi Jimmy,
Have a look again. I put up two more sub-pages for Missions and Alesan Life to test the links. I would love to get more mission pictures. I will correct the Free White and filthy picture caption. I worked on most of the pictures to enhance brightness and contrast. I think they show much better now. Do you have any more pictures of 487th BS planes? The great pictures you have are mostly 489th BS.
Long live the Black Knights of the 487th!
Cheers,
Doug Cook
Hi Doug,
Here are 3 pictures that might clear up some idenity problems. No. 0001 Rt. to
Lt. Whalen, Williams, Sqn. Bomb, ??? Kline. Kenyon, & Littlefield. No. 0002 is my crew, Lt. to Rt.
Spurling, Kenyon, Miller, Whalan, Littlefield &
Boaz. 0003 Lt. to Rt. Lincks, Faylor, Crandall,
Littlefield, Miller, Front row Whalen @ ???.
I'LL will send some others tomorrow.
Jimmy
Scan0001
Rt. to Lt. Whalen, Williams, Sqn. Bomb,
??? Kline. Kenyon, & Littlefield.
Scan0002
my crew, Lt. to Rt. Spurling, Kenyon,
Miller, Whalan, Littlefield & Boaz.
0003 Lt. to Rt. Lincks, Faylor,
Crandall, Littlefield, Miller, Front row Whalen @ ???.
Hi Doug,
I am sending the same picture back to you to see if it attached. Please Let me know.
In regard to7D, It's been a longtime since that happened ,
I can't say that it was my skill and determination that got us back. I did what
I had been taught to do to get the plane and crew back. It was something a lot
of pilots did from time to time. We were hit over the target and lost the right
engine and on this mission we were breaking left and down after we had dropped
our bombs so I lost a lot of altitude. The B-25 could maintain altitude on one
engine but couldn’t climb. we tossed out some
equipment that wasn't tied down in order to clear the mountains on
the mission as have it noted in my log book was Fano.
I didn't keep very good records. 7D had no name or nose art. We were leaking
fuel
but we couldn't see it.
Do you have a colored picture of RumDum? I think it was 7M I think that I flew
my last mission in it. I am building a radio controlled model of a B-25 and
would mark it like 7M.
Jimmy
340th Bomb Group "Any Time, Any Where"
From: Mark McCandlish [mailto:
Sent:
To: BARBARA CONNOLLY;
Subject: Re: Mark McCandlish/Artist/Researcher
Hi,
Barbi, Doug--
Thanks,
Barbi, and I'll be happy to correspond with Doug if he is interested. I
have a personal interest in talking to him, since I read recently where several
researchers discovered what seems to suggest that oil production below the
ocean floor is "abiotic" that is, is an ongoing biological process, that in one sense disqualifies crude oil as a
"fossil fuel". Apparently bacteria in the Earth's crust are
constantly creating more while digesting hydrocarbons leaching into the rock
from the oceans above (or something like that).
I guess that really shoots holes in the "peak oil" theories we keep
hearing about. Meanwhile, crude oil prices crept above $105.00 a barrel on
the international markets.... Ahem.
Warm
Regards
----- Original Message -----
From: Cook,
Douglas J.
Sent: Sunday,
Subject: RE: Mark McCandlish/Artist/Researcher
Hi Mark,
You have many
great B-25 shots on Barbi’s site from the 340th BG 487th
BS. I would like your permission to copy some of them to my website;
I would credit you
and John Sutay as all right reserved. Can you tell me more about John. Is he a curator/archivist at NASM? Was he
on
As to oil under
the ocean floor, abiotic means ‘no life involved’. Crude oil comes
from organic rich source rocks that are buries deep enough to get warm enough
(>250 deg F) to crack the kerogens in the rock into oil and gas. The
organic kerogen in the source rocks came from once living algae and plankton
that died, accumulated, and were buried (fossils) in an oxygen starved ocean
basin. The oil and gas slowly migrates into a porous reservoir rock such
as sandstone or limestone and is trapped there. My job as an oil
prospector is to find that trap and convince Saudi Aramco to drill for it.
Bacteria may work
on woody organics in the relatively shallow subsurface and generate “biogenic’
methane. To date this is not an economic source of gas. On
the flip side, bacteria can eat any oil accumulation shallower than about 5000’
below the surface. I have participated in many research expeditions in
the
Oil is not being
created by organics from the ocean leaching down into the rocks.
Thanks and
regards,
Doug Cook
Sr. Geophysical
Consultant
Saudi Aramco
From: Mark McCandlish [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Re: Mark McCandlish/Artist/Researcher
Hi, Doug,
Say, thanks for clearing up the information on "abiotic production" of oil in the crust. The article I read in the paper had it completely backwards! That's what the newspaper gets when they send someone with no technical background in to do an interview! Your job sounds very interesting. As an avid scuba diver,
with open water dives down to 150 feet (yeah, right; all of five minutes, LOL) I have always loved the ocean environment. If I hadn't been an artist, I might have been a marine biologist.
You have built a terrific website! I was really amazed
at how extensive and detailed it is. Of course you can use the
images. I have shots of several of the B-25's I saw over there. I
think you'll enjoy looking through them. Just let me know how you'd like
me to send them-- resolution-wise that is. (Or if you would prefer to copy them off the 57th
Barbara said you might be interested in one of the "The High & The Mighty" prints, but I'm also available for private commissions if you wanted to document a particular aircraft your father flew in.
I think it's wonderful that you have dedicated so much effort to capturing the historical records and personal accounts of your father and the other great veterans who defended us back in WWII.
I feel a surprising connection with you already, inasmuchas your father passed away on my birthday, March 25th, 1994-- the first year Michele and I left southern California for Redding, (north of Sacramento) where we have lived for the past fourteen years. The mission depicted in the print took place exactly fifty years and one day prior to his passing. I guess they call that "synchronicity".
I haven't talked to John Sutay since around the time I did
the painting about seventeen years ago. He may be deceased. I
seem to recall his eyesight was failing him. He may have had Retinitis
Pigmentosa (excuse any misspelling) or a similar disorder. The original 4
X 5 negatives I had professionally copied were from another veteran. His
name eludes me at the moment but I recall he lived in
Let me know how you would like to proceed.
Warm Regards,
Mark McCandlish
Hi Mark,
Thanks for
contacting me.
The pics from the
57th wing site are good resolution for me. How should the
credit be documented? Mark McCandlish and John Sutay?
I’m still not sure who took the original photos or is that undocumented?
You can’t get any better than 4x5 format for original
negs. I used to have a Rolleiflex twin lens reflex camera and
RolleiMarine housing for U/W photography back in the stone
age. Now digital rules!
Who was John
Sutay? Was he an archivist or a veteran who was there?
My father’s
pictures were mostly 1” x 1” contact prints that I scanned at 300 DPI. I
was amazed at how much more detail was visible!
I am sincerely
interested in taking you up on a commissioned piece dedicated to my father or
more generically to honor the 487th BS to have a wider appeal for
sales. I’ll have to give it some thought for which plane and subject to
capture.
http://www.artprints.com/-ap/The-High-and-the-Mighty-Posters_p925_.htm Awesome!
I have recently
been in contact (email and phone) with David Konigsberg and James Littlefield
who were pilots in the 487th with my father. It has been an
honor to talk to them and to try to document their experiences on my website.
By the way, my techno-savvy daughter is appalled at my lack of html
skills in webpage authoring. I have settled into just using MS Word and
brute force!
Wow!
Synchronicity is strange! My birthday is
Another
question: What sparked your enthusiasm for WWII aviators? I
see your great work on B-25’s and F-14’s on the web. Any
others?
We have a Saudi
air force base just outside our perimeter. We see F-15’s and Brit
Tornado’s up close and personal! When the F-15s land you can see
the pilot and here the hydraulics from the plane. Rarely at night they take of
on afterburners and ride a purple pillar of fire straight up to 40,000 feet!
Cheers from
Doug Cook
Hi Mark,
Hi,
Doug.
Thanks for
contacting me.
You're welcome.
The pics from the
57th wing site are good resolution for me. How should the
credit be documented? Mark McCandlish and John Sutay?
Actually, I think
Barbi may have goofed on that one. I seem to recall that the set of
negatives I was allowed to make contact copies of at a professional photolab in
I’m
still not sure who took the original photos or is that undocumented? You
can’t get any better than 4x5 format for original
negs. I used to have a Rolleiflex twin lens reflex camera and
RolleiMarine housing for U/W photography back in the stone
age. Now digital rules!
I know; I feel
like such an antique processing my 35mm film at Walmart!
Who was John
Sutay? Was he an archivist or a veteran who was there?
(Answered
above).
My father’s
pictures were mostly 1” x 1” contact prints that I scanned at 300 DPI. I
was amazed at how much more detail was visible!
I know, one guy
from the unit sent me a 1 X 1 of Vesuvius as seen from the Pompeii Airdrome a
few day before it erupted. It was just sending
out a little smoke at the time.
I should try
scanning it if I can find the little guy!
I am sincerely
interested in taking you up on a commissioned piece dedicated to my father or
more generically to honor the 487th BS to have a wider appeal for
sales. I’ll have to give it some thought for which plane and subject to
capture.
I would love to
work with you on that. If you want to publish a lithograph, I have
published all four of the ones I sell. For a thousand sheets in four color, with separations, you're probably looking at between
$5-6K. I learned a lot about the process and what to look out for.
My original intent
was to depict a flight of B-25J's flying past the eruption of Vesuvius, but
they didn't make it into the Mediterranian MTO until about April-May of 1944
from what I could tell. The eruption actually accelerated that move,
since 88 B-25C's and D's were lost during the eruption. Mostly to falling
"ejecta" about the size of a man's head falling out of the smoke and
ash overcast. It punched holes through everything; even the tin roofs of
the squadron Quonset huts! But ultimately there were no B-25J's around
I have recently
been in contact (email and phone) with David Konigsberg and James Littlefield
who were pilots in the 487th with my father. It has been an
honor to talk to them and to try to document their experiences on my website.
By the way, my techno-savvy daughter is appalled at my lack of html
skills in webpage authoring. I have settled into just using MS Word and
brute force!
I can sympathize,
since I am self-taught on the computer. It took me a long time to figure
out that LOL meant "Laugh out loud" and not "Lots of
Love". Then there was "WTF".... LOL Not something I use BTW...
Wow!
Synchronicity is strange! My birthday is
Most
definitely.
Another
question: What sparked your enthusiasm for WWII aviators?
I was telling
Barbi that back in the 1960's I used to watch "Twelve O'Clock High"
on TV and had the distinct feeling that I had BEEN there. Kind of
a reincarnation type of
thing I guess. I think I was a P-51 pilot
or something, because from the moment I layed eyes on one in the air, it just
grabbed me like nothing else I can name. But to answer your question,
that's where the interest started.
I see your
great work on B-25’s and F-14’s on the web. Any others?
Yes, there is one
print featuring a set of F-16's engaging some Iraqi MiG-25's in
"Mixing It Up At Nine G's" . The
background here is based on an actual photo I shot hanging from my ejection
seat straps in the back seat of an F-4 Phantom flying inverted over
And there's an
F/A-18A Hornet vs Soviet Mig-29 encounter in "Stung By A
Hornet". This was my first piece that I published.
We have a Saudi
air force base just outside our perimeter. We see F-15’s and Brit
Tornado’s up close and personal! When the F-15s land you can see
the pilot and hear the hydraulics from the plane. Rarely at night they take of
on afterburners and ride a purple pillar of fire straight up to 40,000 feet!
The newer F-15E is
an amazing bird, but doesn't hold a candle to the maneuverability of the
F-16. I've had some stick time in both aircraft, although the F-15 and
F-16 I flew in were both two seat, trainer
models. In 1985 or thereabouts I bagged a media orientation ride in one
of the F-15's that replaced the F-106's that I worked on with the 318th Fighter
Interceptor Squadron (FIS) up at McChord AFB, Tacoma, Washington,
(circa 1974). The F-15 has a buffeting condition due to its wing design
and G-force limitation of about 7-8 G's. The whole aircaft shudders like
it's going to fall apart. You can see this same kind of effect in a
few of the F-14 Tomcat shots with Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" if you
watch closely. He's really in a cockpit at speed. The buffeting becomes
evident right as the editor cuts to the next shot. The F-16, on the other
hand, is like a shorty surf board. Highly maneuverable and very sensitive
to pilot input. I could barely control it at first. Just the
slightest movement, and
I look forward to
our future correspondence.
Salutations from
Mark
Cheers from
Doug Cook
Hi Jimmy,
Sorry I took so
long to reply. I have been out of the
country and just got back to my desk.
The picture came
through just fine.
I will certainly
be able to use it. I think my father was
on that mission and has a similar picture.
I will post this on your web page.
I haven’t yet read all my emails but I will be happy to use any other
pictures you have.
Thanks a million.
Doug
From: JAMES LITTLEFIELD
[mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: Emailing: Bomb pic 02
Hi Doug,
At long last I Think that I will be able to send you some more pictures. I attended a computer class today and I think that I can do it. Please let me know if it worked ok. The web site really looks good . I really appreciate the work and effort that you put into it. I'm sorry that it took me so long to send the pictures.
Jimmy
Korsika - The raids on Borgo-Poretta and Alesani from the German perspective
http://home.comcast.net/~dhsetzer/taghon/Korsika_index.htm
http://home.comcast.net/~dhsetzer/taghon/Taghon.pdf
From: Michael Zwierko [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: RE: 57th Bomb Wing in Corsica
Doug,
Thank you for the quick reply. It will take me some time to get the data together,
but it will be put on a CD as there are far too many photos to email at 300 dpi
a scan.
I was perusing your site and there is a group photo on the "Squadron
Album" page that shows your father on the far left and my great uncle
to his left with the dog "Rosie", so their service obviously
overlapped. I noticed that most of the mission crew lists on your site
are for late 1944 into 1945. Is there a resource where I might
be able to research earlier crew lists to find my great uncle's missions?
I know for a fact that he was part of the crew of B-25C "TUFF STUFF"
the day it was shot down, but I am guessing that the bombing mission aerial BDA
photos in his album represent some of his actual drops as bombardier. He
died in 1991 and I was too young at the time to get that in-depth with him
about his time with the 487th (I'm only 30). There are no surviving
family members that know enough about my great
uncle's service in WWII to provide detailed descriptions and that is why
I have undertaken the task to research it myself. I wish I could go
back in time to when I was a kid listening to him and his stories about
the war, I have so many questions I would ask
him. Unfortunately, I only have detailed information from what was
uncovered after he died.
My great uncle "Charlie" was a real hero of mine and probably one of
the most influential people in my life. I am incredibly proud of him
and your website has helped me connect with his past in a
very real way now that I am old enough to fully appreciate his service.
My family and I are grateful for resources such as your website and I look
forward to working with you as well.
Mike
Mike Hello again,
I just
wanted to know how your research project was going and to let you know about
some updates to my website. Your email underscored that I had been
neglecting material I have that predates my father’s entering the theater *late
Mar, 1944). I have scanned most of his 487th squadron album
that covers the inception of the 487th up to about May, 1944.
To guide
you down through the tree:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th%20Squadron%20Index.htm
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Album_History%20of%20the%20340th.htm expanded history
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Album_Continued.htm bombing up to about
April 1944. At least one new picture of 7C in flight and missions
your uncle no doubt participated.
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Personnel.htm
alphabetical personnel listing to about May
1944- I don’t find a Zwierko, what
was your uncle’s name?
Please
keep in touch,
Regards,
Doug
Cook
From: Michael Zwierko [mailto:
Sent: Tuesday,
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: 487th BS 340th BG TUFF STUFF
Doug,
Thank you for the updates, it is great to see more history uncovered and
presented to the masses! My great uncle is indeed on the crew listing you
linked, but his last name was not Zwierko, it was Klujsza (Casimir, better
known as "Charlie"). His
I am wading through a lot of his stuff and it is taking longer than expected
due to outside issues taking a much higher priority. I am working on it,
however. I have obtained his handwritten mission logs for all of his 51
missions and he was extremely thorough in his descriptions and details up until
his last missions (his early logs are the most comprehensive, his later logs
feature a date and a tail code). I am going to have these included in the
scans. Lots of target photos and other memorabilia.
My aunt has all of the love letters he wrote to my great aunt, but they are
personal and I would rather not make them public. Suffice it to say,
there is a lot of new history to report.
Thank you again for the updates and extra data. As always, if you see
anything about 1LT Casimir Klujsza or either of the B-25's called "TUFF
STUFF/7M", I am very interested.
Take care.
Mike
Mike,
I’m glad you got
something out of the latest uploads. I look forward to getting your scans
and will be honored to dedicate a page to Charlie Klujsza.
Regards,
Doug
Mark,
Thanks for the material on the 487th BS "Dogface Squadron". With your permission, I would like to post it with a credit to you.
Regards,
Doug Cook
-----Original Message-----
From: Navarro, Mark [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Dogface Squadron
Hi Doug
I found these documents at an antique shop in
website when I tried to find more information on the squadron and
thought you might like to take a look.
Regards
Mark Navarro
From: Ann Buechler [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: A few questions
Mr.Doug
Cook,
My name is Ann Buechler and I am currently doing some research on my
great-uncle that was in the same squadron as Charles Cook. If Mr. Charles Cook
is by any chance still alive, I was wondering if you could please ask him about
a 2nd Lt. named Harley Anderson from
Thank you much.
Ann Buechler
Hi Ann,
Thanks for writing
to me. I am inspired to keep expanding
the web pages about our WWII Air Corps vets and fallen heroes especially as a
research place for families like yours. My
father passed in 1995. I have been in
contact with a few surviving vets of the 487th but their service was
in 1944-45. Action in
This part of the
website shows mission photos from
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Album_Continued.htm
This article
somewhat documents what the 487th Squadron did for the GI’s on the
ground in that part of the campaign in support of Messina Straights, Randazzo,
and
http://www.reddog1944.com/Dogface_Squadron.htm
If you have any
more information on your great uncle you want to pass along (what was his
position on the B-25, training photos, stories from letters home, him pictured
with family, etc.), I would be happy to post it on a new web page and dedicate
it to him.
If you know any
more specifics we may be able to get some info from other govt. archives: Date of the mission he was shot down and his
Service number (military ID #) would be most helpful.
You can try to get
his service records:
I was successful
getting a gold mine of records for my father-in-law.
For a fee you can
get the
http://www.accident-report.com/prices.html
or
http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/faq/MACR.htm
I would be happy put
up a section dedicated to him if you can put some of his story together.
Regards,
Doug Cook
Dhahran
Ann,
Here’s more:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Album_History%20of%20the%20340th.htm
Harley was a pilot and we have his Service
number. He was killed in action on 10
Sept 1943.
This page shows
crews from that era and names “
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Album_History%20of%20the%20340th.htm#Crews
Missions on 10
Sept 43:
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20Bomb%20Group%20Missions2.htm
Ann, your latest history
files shows that Harley’s fatal mission began
487th Bases:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Album_History%20of%20the%20340th.htm
El Kabrit, Egypt, March 1943
Medenine, Tunisia, March 1943
Sfax, Tunisia, Apr. 1943
Hergla, Tunisia, 2 June 1943
Comiso, Sicily, 2 August 1943
Catania,
Sicily, 27 August 1943
San Pancrazio, Italy, 15 October 1943
Foggia, Italy, 19 November 1943
Pompeii, Italy, 2 Jan. 1944
Guado (Paestum), Italy,
23 March 1944
Corsica, 14
April 1944
From: Ann Buechler [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: RE: 487th Squadron : A few questions
Doug,
I'm heading over to my grandmother's house today and she is the one that was
given all the photos of Harley. If I am lucky, maybe they still have some of
the letters he sent home. I can see if I could borrow them and scan them,
then send them to you. I know, from what my
grandmother has told me, he was a co-pilot. However, she doesn't remember much
else, since she was only nine when he died.
Also, I did some digging around and here are copies of his enlistment
information and his death.
Harley H. Anderson
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # O1704114
487th Bomber Squadron, 340th Bomber Group, Medium
Entered the Service from: Minnesota
Died: 10-Sep-43
Buried at: Plot D Row 13 Grave 26
Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
Nettuno, Italy
Awards: Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
I also found his enlistment papers.
Name: Harley H Anderson
Birth Year: 1920
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Minnesota
State: Minnesota
County or City: Rock
Enlistment Date: 6 Sep 1942
Enlistment State: Georgia
Enlistment City: Moody Field Valdosta
Branch: Air Corps
Branch Code: Air Corps
Grade: Staff Sergeant
Grade Code: Staff Sergeant
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency,
plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise
according to law
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary
enlistments effective
Source: Enlisted Man, Regular Army, within 3 months of Discharge or former WAAC
Auxiliary
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Upholsterer
Marital Status: Married
Height: 70
Weight: 138
I hope this is helpful. Thank you!
Ann
Doug,
I asked my grandmother if she had anything of Harley's when I saw her today.
Unfortunately, she only has a photo of him with my Great-Aunt Florence, his
wife, and a photo that you have on the site. He's standing by the Rum Dum,
between Sather and Crane, looking away from/above the camera. Anyway, the story
is that my aunt had everything of Harley's in a trunk after he died, and after
she married again, the trunk became lost and no one in our family knew what
happened to it. Such a loss. I also
recieved an email from Mr. Setzer, whose father also served in the same
squadron. He had found information about the fatal mission. My
grandmother is very interested in my research and is excited to know that I am
in contact with relatives of men that Harley served with.
Thanks,
Ann
Doug,
Here are a few scans of information about Harley for you. I will have to e-mail
my cousin to get a high-definition scan of the photo you already have. The
first one is a photo of Harley and my Great-Aunt Florence at the beginning of
his training. The three other scans are information about his mission and his
death.
Ann
Subject: RE: New webpage dedicated to Harley Anderson
Doug,
I know you have done so much for both me and my Grandmother and I greatly appreciate
it, but I have one more favor to ask you. I wish to come in contact with some
of the men who my great-uncle served with. Do you know anyone or their families
who might have served around the same time Harley did? A list would be just
enough. I can do the rest, but I don't even know where to begin to find the
names...
Also, I hope to soon contact my second cousin-our family and hers are on bad
relations-in hopes of her knowing the where-abouts of her mother's treasured
chest filled with Uncle-Harley's things. Either way, I greatly appreciate your
compassion and your persistence in helping me find information on Harley.
Ann
Ann,
This may be like
finding a needle in a haystack but through my website I did find one man, David
Konigsberg, who knew my father because he contacted me. They were in theater beginning Mar 1944 after
Harley.
I am sending you a
dated list of 487th Squadron reunion attendees (credit Hank Del
Percio) and the personnel listing up to May 1944 that included Harley. You can try to cross-reference and start
calling.
Hi Doug,
I had a very nice reunion
with my radio-gunner this past weekend. His Son-in-law and his Granddaughter
come with him. We had a nice visit after 63 years.
I'm hoping to send a picture of
the nose art of a plane that I flew and would like make my model look
like. I think that this plane was 7U but
I'm not positive. I'm hoping that you know and also know the serial number of
this plane.
Jimmy
From: JAMES LITTLEFIELD
[mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent: Wednesday,
To:
Subject: July 4th.
Hi Doug,
Here is a
picture of me and JoeWhalen. Joe was my radio-gunner.
Hi Doug.
This is our 4 July 1944 celebration
at Joe's Place. We had hamburgers and cokes etc. Ray Spurling is no. 4 from the
left and I am the raunchy one in the 7th. space from
the left. I think that maybe I have learned how to send pictures
, I hope. I had a man come out today to help me straighten out my
computer and show me what that I was doing wrong. I sure hope that this will
get to you, let me know if you get this and another that I sent earlier today.
Thanks
Jimmy
From: JAMES LITTLEFIELD
[mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: a picture for you
Hi Doug,
Here's another bomb picture that I don't think I have sent.
Jimmy
Hi Jimmy,
I got the picture
and it read
Thanks and best
regards,
Rub al
Khali Team Leader
Area
Exploration Department
Saudi Aramco
Phone 966-3-873-7724
Personnel Listing:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Personnel.htm
Another tactic:
Join this group and
make a request for contacts through their forums:
Join this group
and make a request for contacts through their forums ( 57th
Bomb Wing; 340th Bomb
Group; 487th Bomb Squadron)
You will find that
many family members are on the same quest but be patient- you may find the
needle in the haystack.
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: JAMES LITTLEFIELD
[mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: Noseart
Hi Doug,
I had a very nice reunion
with my radio-gunner Joe
Whalen this past weekend (sent
I'm hoping to send a picture of the nose art of a plane that I flew and would like make my model look liket. I think that this plane was 7U but I'm not positive. I'm hoping that you know and also know the serial number of this plane.
Jimmy
Hi Doug.
This is our 4 July 1944
celebration at Joe's Place. We had hamburgers and cokes etc. Ray Spurling is
no. 4 from the left and I am the raunchy one in the 7th. space
from the left
Here is a
picture of me and Joe Whalen. Joe was my radio-gunner.
Jimmy
Hi Jimmy,
I got the picture
and it read
Thanks and best
regards,
Doug Cook
Area Exploration Department
Saudi Aramco
Phone
966-3-873-7724
From: JAMES LITTLEFIELD
[mailto:jimmy1017@grandecom.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: a picture for you
Hi Doug,
Here's another bomb picture
that I don't think I have sent.
Jimmy
From: Dan & Cyd Setzer
[mailto:dhsetzer@comcast.net]
Sent:
To: ;
Subject: There is a Catch...
Dear Folks,
I am working on a paper that I am calling, "The Historical Sources for the Events in Joseph Heller's Novel, Catch-22."
In the paper I attempt to make three points:
1. Due to its content and artistic merit, Catch-22 will remain a classic of world literature for generations to come.
2. As far as the events depicted in the novel are concerned, Joseph Heller did not make anything up.
3. Due to the close connection between
the historical events on
It is still very much a 'work in progress,' but I am to the point where I need the input from a panel of experts. If you have the time to glance at a few pages, please let me know if I have made any factual errors. Also, if you are aware of connections between the novel and historic events or people that I have missed, please let me know that also.
There are still details to clean up and, before I go public, I do need to be polite and ask Don Kaiser, Bud and others for permission to use the photos that I flitched from their web sites to illustrate some of the points I needed to make.
I will deeply appreciate any feedback you are able to offer...good, bad or ugly.
Please take a look (1MB PDF file): http://home.comcast.net/~dhsetzer/JHeller_draft.pdf
--
Daniel Setzer
Son of Sgt. Hymie Setzer, 340th BG 487th BS
http://home.comcast.net/~dhsetzer
Dan,
I am as a son of a
487th Squadron vet and as much interested in 340th BG
history as anyone. I have tried several times to read Catch 22 and just
can’t get through it. If you have read Harry George’s “Georgio Italiano”
you will read a veteran pilot’s words tearing Catch 22 to pieces. Google Harry
George “Georgio Italiano and you will find the reference or try Amazon
where I bought my copy.
Regards,
Doug Cook
Area Exploration Department
Saudi Aramco
Phone 966-3-873-7724
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/340thMissions_index.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: ANDERSEN Lars T [mailto:larsandersen@optonline.net]
Sent:
To:
Subject: FW: THE DOGFACE SQUADRON
Dear Mr. Cook:
Here are my notes after viewing a National Archives reference room copy of
this film. Thought you might be interested. It could be footage of the 340th
Bomb Group.
RG 18 CS
3389
THE DOGFACE SQUADRON
R1: 1,379'
R2: 1672'
Reel 1:
Slate: 9
mechanics work on engines, gasoline truck pulls up, gases up B-25, engines
start, B-25's taxi out.
Reel 2:
Map on wall, three officers study maps, personnel file out of building, CU
view of railroad track leading into tunnel, views of damaged bridges (looks
to be Italy), US trucks crossing bridges some of which are repaired, aerials
B-25's, ground views of B-25's.
Very nice site that you have. I looked at the
film clips - the films could
be professionally transferred and a high quality
Regards,
Lars Andersen
From: Gerry Kersey [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: 340th BG info
Doug, My name is Gerry Kersey. I
do photo restoration of the WWII aircraft. I would like to include some of your
photos on my web site. http://www.houstonphotorestore.com/
If you click on the Warbirds links you will see some of the work I have done in
cleaning up the photos of these aircraft. There is no charge for veterans or
their relatives. I have an aircraft I am trying to track down it's Group affiliation. It's name
was Dirty Gertie From Bizertie. It has a Mediterranean background. Possibly you
can help in my search for the group & squadron affiliation. Here is the
info I have on the A/C. B-25D-NC # 41-29696 Dirty Gerty from Bizerty
Regards, Gerry Kersey
Hi Gerry,
Nice website and service! Are you interested ant specific photo on my
website?
All the info I
have on aircraft from the 340th BG s posted on my website. From the info you have given, I know this
plane was not in
The 340th
had essentially all B-25 J models that would have been built in 1943 to 44. The
tail markings would have a large 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 above the serial number to
designate the squadron as 486th, 487th, 488th,
or 489th. Your plane was
built in 1941. It is possible that they didn’t use the squadron marking on the
tail early on. If it was in the 340th
BG, it may have been in
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizerte
Try the link below. I have used this site for research.
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Joan Pariso [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Cc: Joyce Buchholz-Kelley
Subject: 340th
Thank you for your web site. My father is misidentified in one of photos. In image 32 (file attached), he is kneeling in the front row in the middle. His name is James Earl Kelley. I had this very same photo given to me by my father. He flew on the Bitch N Mitch.
I am also attaching other photos that he gave to me. As his name was misspelled so many times in life (Our name is spelled Kelley - not Kelly), I know that it would bother him to see someone else's name in the picture. He was very proud of his military service, and I would like to see him get the recognition that he so richly deserves.
Thank you very much.
Joan Kelley Pariso
Hi Joan,
Thank you for writing.
I am always grateful for reader’s submissions and corrections. Above all my website stands to honor the
veterans who were in WWII. I am not sure
which photo misnames your father. The Bitch
N Mitch is shown on this page:
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20BG%20487th%20BS%20PLANES.htm
The first photo
shows a crew with my father identified back row right.
I very much
appreciate your photo submissions and would like to dedicate a webpage to your
father. With your permission, I would
post these pictures with full credit to him and to you. I will need your help with picture
captions. For example: scan000_
Caption to read:________.
Perhaps you could
also put together a bio sketch of James Earl Kelley: Birth date and place. Parents. Where he was inducted and trained for
service. Service dates of his overseas
tour. Marriage. Wife. Children. Post war life.
When I put the
webpage together and post it,
you can work with me on any changes so that it suits you and
properly honors your father.
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Joan Pariso [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Re: 340th I found it!
Hi Doug,
I was so very happy to hear
from you. Yes, you did locate the correct photo. My father is also in some of
the Bitch N Mitch photos that I emailed to you. If you could make sure his name
is spelled correctly. The last name is Kelley. It used to drive him crazy if
someone misspelled his last name. Thank you. :)
I have to tell you that I
know your web site must mean so very much to the men who fought for us all
those years ago. Even more than that, it means so much to their children and
grandchildren and future generations. I have had tears in my eyes, as I look
through all the pages and all the data that you have acquired. It is with a
very heavy heart that I live with the regret that my father and I never talked
much about the war. The only question I ever remember asking him was if he was
ever afraid when he had to fly. He said that yes, he had been afraid on every
mission, but he learned to put his fear aside and just do what had to be done.
It's only as I've gotten
older that I realize that there are some wounds that are always fresh - no
matter how much time has passed. For me, growing up, World War II, in my mind,
was as ancient as the civil war. I was born in 1950, so obviously not much time
had passed after the war. I never realized that for the men who fought for us,
it must have always felt like yesterday for them when they remembered the
horrors of the war. I wish my perspective had been different when my father was
alive. We lost him in 2000, and it was only after that when I started to
realize that, in one way or another, he probably carried the war with him for
the rest of his life.
My sister and I both have
contacted James Littlefield. He remembered me dad, but he said because of his age,
he forgets some things now. He is still alive, and he is still living in
I would love to write something
up for you, so that you can dedicate a page to my father. My dad was an
emotional man, and I can't even put into words how much it would have meant to
him. I can, however, tell you how much it would mean to his family. We would
all be so very grateful. It may take a week or two, but I promise I will do it
and email it to you.
I have another scan that I
don't recall if I emailed you. I have the certificate for the medal the 340th
got. I also have the medal here somewhere. I think you asked when my dad served
in the 340th. I think it was 1942-1944, but I will recheck the dates. The date
on the certificate for the air medal is
I am also going to put
together a book of sorts with some of the data from your site (with your
permission) along with the pictures I have. I'll be printing everything out
myself, and then I'll take it to Kinkos and have it bound. I am hoping to have
an artist friend draw the B-25 and add the nose art for the Bitch N Mitch to it
along with the number of missions that were flown. (The art work is still up in
the air. She is a tremendous artist, but I don't know if airplanes are in her
comfort zone). I have not yet had a chance to read everything on your site. I
know my dad told me the number of missions he flew, but I don't recall the
exact number. I do have a photo that is labeled with the number of missions
flown to that date, but I don't know if it was the total of all missions. My
plan is to get this done, so that I can give it as a Christmas present to my sister
and to my nieces and nephews. I will also be happy to send you a copy when it
is complete, and I plan on sending one to Mr. Littlefield. It isn't anything
I'm selling. It's just something I wanted to do to honor my father. I want to
be certain that future generations understand the sacrifices that he made. I'm
sure you understand exactly what I am talking about. I don't ever want him to
be forgotten.
Oddly enough, it was only
last week that I organized all my photos. When I did, I scanned the ones of my
dad into my computer, so I could print them out and send my sister copies of
them. I will get the photos out again, so I can read the comments on the back
of some of them. I will then write up what I can about my dad, and I will email
it to you along with whatever other information I have.
I am touched by your
dedication to this web site. I'm sure your dad would take great comfort in
knowing that you are maintaining it and reaching out to his fellow airmen and
their families.
I happened to notice that you
are in
Thank you again, Doug. I
can't tell you what your information has meant to my family. I will write up a
bio of my dad and email it to you within the next two weeks.
Joan
Joan,
I’ve had fun
searching my website and found more missions your father had in common with
mine and with David Konigsberg. David is still alive (as far as I know)
in
Missions in common
with James Kelley, Charles Cook, and David
http://www.reddog1944.com/Konigsberg_David.htm#Top
The
487th Squadron Planes 7A to 7Z (tail markings)
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20BG%20487th%20BS%20PLANES.htm
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Joan Pariso [mailto:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Good day, Doug.
Hi Doug,
Yes, feel free to extract
from my email.
Thank you for all the links.
I am just knocked out by all the information - so much so that after I've gone
to bed, I'm waking up several hours later to go back on the computer to keep
reading. It's the strangest thing. It makes me feel so much closer to my dad. I
know that your dad, Capt. Littlefield, and the other airmen shared an
experience together that can't be felt by anyone else. We can read about it. We
can look at the pictures. We can talk to other family members who might have
recollections of conversations with these WW II vets, but only those men who
were there together really know what it was like. What an unbelievable bond
they shared.
It seems to be a common
thread that these men didn't talk about the war very much. Most of them were
gone from home for at least several years. We live in such a small world now,
but back then, the world was quite large to us. Now people travel everywhere.
Then most people wouldn't have known where
In one of the videos you have
posted, it shows the men standing and waiting for the mail. Seeing those things
just brings it all home to me, and it's all made me
quite emotional about it (as if you couldn't tell). :)
As for your question about
your uncle, we didn't live in
I have to get my pictures out
and read the comments on the back. All these years, I have thought my dad's
pilot was named "Mitchell". What a surprise to find out that it was
the model of aircraft. Maybe it's my imagination that I have a faint memory of
him talking about someone named Mitchell. I'll find out for sure once I get the
pictures out.
Have a good day, Doug. I'm
absolutely captivated by your web site.
Joan
Joan,
Thanks for your kind thoughts and rhetorical questions. I am already working on the web page for James Earl Kelley.
I have attached a
document with a picture that may answer part of your question of why the men
didn’t talk much about flying their missions.
Anti-aircraft guns were shooting aerial flak bombs that exploded at
their altitude. The shrapnel would tear
right through the plane and brought many of them down. The plane had to fly straight and level over
the target and right through all that flak.
Even if you didn’t get hit, the shock waves were bouncing the plane all
over. Imagine the sheer terror mission
after mission. If there was no flak or
fighters, the mission was a “milk run”.
When our fathers arrived overseas, they were expected to complete 25
missions. The movie “Memphis Belle” is
about a B-17 crew that was the first to survive 25 missions since the rate of
attrition was so high. After 25 missions
you were deemed mentally unfit for combat so you got to go home. Well as our fathers added missions, they
upped the ante to 50 missions and then in late 1944 they upped it to 70
missions! I’m sure you’ve heard about
the book and movie “Catch 22” by Joseph Heller.
He was in the 488th Bomb Squadron on
There are links to
489th BS video from
489th
Bombardment Squadron Ground Crews Video
The 489th Bombardment
Squadron on Corsica Video
Regards,
Doug Cook
From:
Sent: Wednesday,
To:
Subject:
|
|
||
|
Thanks
This is a very touching
tribute to Mauldin who was the mascot for the 487th “Dogface”
squadron. I am having a short film about
the 487th “Dogface” squadron from the national archives digitized
and will post it on the website. Can I
use this Mauldin editorial? Do you know
where it came from?
Regards,
Doug Cook
Doug,
I have a friend whose father served with the 340th Bomb
Group, 486th Bomb Squadron. He was an ordinance officer and his son has a few
photos of B-25 aircraft that he would like for you to post on your website,
some of which you might be looking for. My friend says that he is not computer
literate, so advise me as to what to do and I will get the photos to you.
John Purvis
1782 State Highway 7
662-247-3103
Doug,
Hal's father was Harold Ware Bridges. Hal prefers to use
"Hal Bridges" for himself, he lives in
his Email is halbridges@yahoo.com
John Purvis
1782 State Highway 7
662-247-3103
From:
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: Re: 340 BG photos
Doug,
I have scanned the photos of Hal Bridges 340th Bomb Group. There
are about 46 of them and they total up to about 35MB so I was wondering if I
should send these 4 or 5 at a time? There isn't much that Hal can provide in
the way of stories, as his farther died when he was nine, but he has listed his
service record etc.
Let me know about sending the photos and other info. and I will get it coming.
John Purvis
Proud Son Of
John D. Purvis
93rd. Bomb Group
330th. Bomb Squadron
From: Hal Bridges
[mailto:halbridges@yahoo.com]
Sent:
To:
Subject: RE: 340 BG photos- webpages uploaded!!!
|
Thank you so much for posting the information Johnny sent you on the web. It looks great and I really appreciate your taking the time to do this for me and my family. If there is anything else that I may be able to contribute, please let me know. Thanks again for helping to preserve his memory and a little piece of history. Hal Bridges
John and Hal, Please review the webpages for Hal Bridges that i have
uploaded. Great material and additions to the site! Thanks, Doug Cook http://reddog1944.com/487th%20Squadron%20Index.htm http://reddog1944.com/BRIDGES_486th_BS.htm |
From: Cook, Douglas J.
Sent: Friday,
John,
Proud son of John D. Purvis
93rd BG 330th BS: I find this to be a B-24 outfit in the European
theater and later SAC.
Would you like me to make web pages dedicated
to your father?
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Re: 340 BG photos
Doug,
That
sounds great, you have brought tears to my eyes.
His
crew photo is on the 93rd BG site (Heller Crew). But that is all that is there.
I have
many more photos and documents, I will start to get them together for you.
John
-----
Original
Doug,
Here are the links to the
93rd and a link to the crew section. The Heller crew photo is probably the
worst of all the photos, but there is nothing that we can do about that. Robert
H. "Bob" Heller - PILOT , is the only one
still living. I have another crew photo that was probably before their
deployment, some of these crew members were moved to other crews, also I need
to be sure and correctly identify as many as possible.
I will have the info on my
dad gathered up and ready to send today or tomorrow.
http://www.93rdbombardmentgroup.com/
http://www.93rdbombardmentgroup.com/crewphotos2.html Heller
Crew
John
Purvis
Doug,
I am sending more photos after this Email.
I talked with Mr. Heller yesterday and he advised me that
they trained as a crew with a bombardier and arrived in
Here is a revised break down on the crew:
PILOT Robert H. "Bob" Heller from Penn
CO-PILOT John S. "Luke" Lucas from
NAVIGATOR Mario J. Rota from
FLIGHT ENGINEER John D. "Jack" Purvis from
LEFT WAIST GUNNER Cecil D. Kenny from
RIGHT WAIST GUNNER Joseph R. Davis from
NOSE GUNNER George R. Light from
RADIO OPERATOR Leonard B. Bartchak from
TAIL GUNNER Michael J. Gentile from
John Purvis
1782 State Highway 7
662-247-3103
From:
ANDERSEN Lars T [mailto:
Sent: Saturday,
To:
Subject: RE: DOGFACE SQUADRON
Yes, Doug, I am still alive and have not forgotten you.
I have received the Dogface footage now so I will make up your discs and
send 'em in the next days. Sorry for the delay, but sometimes these things
take time when ordered with other stuff. The footage, I can tell you is
crisp and sharp enough to shave with, but then it's from 35mm,
understandable, directly transfered.
Also, never heard back from your friend about his film, see if you can roust
(sp) him up, maybe I can make a
documentary
other footage that will work with it, but I NEED his footage - it's no risk
to him to Fedex it to the National Archives Lab, tell him that, in fact you
might tell him, if it would work, that after all he is getting this footage
from you - so couldn't he cooperate -,
Well, good luck and stay cool over there and let me know your thoughts after
you view the footage.
Lars
Hi
all,
I
have just uploaded some great video of the 487th Squadron and 340th BG (3
videos and other vets pages). I was contacted by Victory Films who
recovered the film from the National Archives. I paid to have it
transcribed to video and then edited it for the webpage. I hope you can
access it! I recognize many planes my father flew in combat.
DIRECT LINKS- the videos are 30-60 mb
please be patient for them to download.
487th ‘DOG FACE’ Squadron Video!!!
340th
Bomb Group Catania Sicily 1943 VIDEO
340th Bomb Group Italy 1944-45 COLOR Video
Let
me know if they work for you. I can send a cd if you need it.
Regards,
Doug Cook
just watched the
"three" video's, Doug, and they are great. Now I have a burner
on this computer and can I burn a video with this computer? I have not
done it yet and I did buy 30 blank CD's today. I will have to
have one of my Grand's to show me how to do it.
They look like the pictures Harv brought home
and yes, I do believe my son and daughter-in-law are fibbing to me when
they say they don't have the photo album.
I would still like to have a video and I would like to give you some
money to help pay for the making of all of the video's. Please let
me know how much and send me your address.
"Hello" to your family. I would like some more pix's
because my other computer burned out and I lost some of the things I had in it
and even some addresses.
Thanks so much for the video's.
From: DTaddei@aol.com [mailto:DTaddei@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday,
To:
Subject: Re: Corsica visit: 340th BG 487th BS B-25 Vet's son
Hi Doug,
finally i have been able to see the videos, what a fantastic film
especially the 487th Dog Face one, rolling, taxiing and the town of
Thank
you so much to share such a great document with me, the third one on the ground
it was Alesan but the bombings in
See you
with great pleasure in
All the
best
Dominique
Doug,
as you know the 487th BS had
decided to honor the GI's of Bill Mauldin Uncle Willie and Joe
in January 1945 (6) and (24) when the Squadron was still at Alesan(i) Corsica.
As you know it had been thanks
to
"Daniel A Barton"
from
"Sgt Gavette",
"Sgt Moore" and
"Sgt McCrea"
that the 487th BS had chosen the famous American troup soldiers
fighting in
I think that all the film had
been run in Corsica early 1945, but the photos in black and white had been
taken at
On the photo you have from the
left to the right Major John E Rapp (487th BS CO), Joe Barton painting on
the ladder, General Robert D Knapp in black 57th BW CO and Colonel Willis
F Chapman 340th BG CO.
Unfortunately i never found a
photo of Sgts Gavette, Moore and McCrea.
I don't know who was PRO who
went to
Dominique
Hi Douglas
a wonderful site . Best compliments.
I inform you that, on
been presented in the spa buildings (just in the one who was the Official clubs of the German Headquarters) our new historical book titled:
"Bombs Away, the allied bombing on German Army
Headquarters in
The author are myself and historical friends of mine Maurizio Dal Lago (my co-author of the McAllister Case), Franco Rasia, Giorgio Trivelli and Luca Valente.
You can see in attachments the cover of the book.
The aircraft that you see in the cover is B-25J 6Q
"Noah's
In the mission there were 6 planes of the 487 and 12 of the 486th.
Mt best wishes.
Cordially
Giuseppe,an old friend of the 57th Bomb Wing
From: jal1017@verizon.net
[mailto:jal1017@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday,
To:
Subject:
Hi Doug,
I want to let you know that I haven't forgot you and that I'm still alive and
kicking. I'll be 90 years Oct 17 if I make it until
then. We have flown my B-25 model three times and had engine trouble 2 times
and radio problems once. Each flight ended with some damage to the model. I
just about have it repaired for another try. It is modeled after 7U, complete
with nose art and the original crew members names at
thier positions. I'll send you some pictures.
Jimmy Littlefield
From: Dan & Cyd Setzer [mailto:
Sent: Saturday,
To:
Subject: Re: 487th Squadron and 340th BG Video
Doug,
The videos you have posted are simply spectacular! Priceless.
Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
They will stay on my 'play list' for many years to come.
Dan Setzer
From: Ann Buechler [mailto:
Sent: Monday,
To:
Subject: RE: 487th Squadron and 340th BG Video
I literally got chills down my spine when I was watching the latest
videos, especially the one that was from September 5th to the 13th of 1943. I
saw the Rum Dum, which-at on point-I knew my great-uncle piloted. It was very
eerie yet amazing to watch.
-Ann
Hi Ann,
I agree with you
on the Rum Dum scene! I have this
picture of my father:
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Giuseppe
[mailto:gversola@alice.it]
Sent: Monday,
To:
Subject: Re: 487th Squadron and 340th BG Video
Doug and friends
Video about 487th is wondeful, one of the best that I have seen
about WWII !
I have been inable to open the
other two about
I thank you for to have written also
about the Recoaro German Headquarters bombing.
As I wrote just on
the bombing performed by the 340th (6 plane 487th, 12 planes
486th) on
The bombing caused the final decision of
the surrender of the Germans Army in
The book written by myself and other four historian
friends ( among them Maurizio Dal Lago my co-author in the
book "The McAllister Case") , two of them born at Recoaro,
In attachment the cover of the book. It is interesting to see the photo of
B-25J 6Q "Noah's
during the bombing on
An old friend of the 57th Bomb Wing Ass.
Cordially
Giuseppe
Vicenza-Italy
Please Doug
send also the one of the 487th because I have been
able to open and see
only two times this morning the video. Now it is not
visible.
I dont know the why.
I send you a pic of " dog face" personell that I have taken from
the old newletters "The Bridge
Busters"(courtesy of William Laney) of the 487sh
and I enclosed it on my book. B-25 F and C
were in the mission
In the pic
, front row- second from right, is Capt.Paul Spencer, operations officer
of the Squadron who signed the list mission of 487th for
Recoaro. (It may be
one of the officer who are visible on the video during
the examinations of maps?)
Back Row, second from right
S/Sgt Tony Guckwa who was in the aircraft 7A.ù
Giuseppe
From:
Sent: Tuesday,
To:
Subject: Re: 487th Squadron and 340th BG Video on You Tube
Fantastic,,,, sent it on to a bunch
----- Original
Message -----
From: Cook,
Douglas J.
To: henryjdelp@cs.com
; drgordo@att.net
; BDXYZ@aol.com
; mlaney1@cox.net
; 'Hdgeorgejr@aol.com'
; DTaddei@aol.com
; rhmeekjr@aol.com
; ehetzel@northrock.bm
; gversola@tin.it
; Graverob@toledointernet.net ; holman506@charter.net
; hvoss216@bellsouth.net
; mrtarkany@comcast.net
; franck.allegrini@ct-corse.fr ; tmcgill@insdra.com
; Dennis.Schang@toyoda-na.com ; Iris ; snoopy100@adelphia.net
; butterbaught@ReadingRock.com ; ccgm@satx.rr.com
; rogerju@libero.it
; princessbarbi_b25@msn.com ; thegaffer1@juno.com
; eowen@valint.net
; purduemjz@msn.com
; markmccandlish@c-zone.net ; mnavarro@utmb.edu
; teh_annah@hotmail.com
; dhsetzer@comcast.net
; gerrykersey@gmail.com
; joanpariso@gmail.com
; monguse@gmail.com
; 489thcorsica@gmail.com
; henryjdelp@cs.com
; ehetzel@northrock.bm
Sent:
Wednesday,
Subject: 487th
Squadron and 340th BG Video on You Tube
Hi all,
For those that may not have been able to access the Hi Res video
off the Reddog1944 site, I have uploaded it to
YouTube:
My YouTube Site: http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#
Dog Face Squadron
http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#p/a/u/2/--0qKOwehgU
340th BG Catania 1943
http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#p/a/u/1/M7Ec7eQHtpc
340th BG Color
http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#p/a/u/0/NvFj6schRlg
My other life passion:
Regards,
Doug Cook
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Cc: acmesigns@belzonicable.com
Subject: C Kenney 93rd BG
Hi
Doug
Hope
your vacation is going well.
I
am sending some more photo's. I am waiting on some
dates to finish the bio. Will send that as soon as it is
completed.
Are
you in the DC area? I live in
I
have put together in a note book about my dad.
Also I noticed
in John Purvis info. that my dads last name should be
C E Kenney
Can you fix
this?
Thanks
again
Ken
PS:
I am sending 2 e mails. 6 photos in the 1st and 6 in the 2nd.
From: Victor J Hancock
[mailto:pilotb25j@sbcglobal.net]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: Requesting information from newsletter Men of the 57th
|
Dear Doug: I will keep this to a couple of sentences to see if you still respond to this email address.
In 2007 you responded to a request by Roger Juglair for information regarding a mission conducted by the 340th.
I have had a request to publish a excerpt of Juglair's book in the Men of the 57th. The request is by one of our associate members. I have read his translation.
Hope all is going well with you.
Victor
|
Hi Victor,
I am alive and
well at this address. How can I help?
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Victor Hancock
[mailto:pilotb25j@sbcglobal.net]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: RE: Requesting information from newsletter Men of the 57th
Hi Doug:
Thank you for
replying to my email. After reading the translation of Juglair’s book
which one of our associate members wanted me to publish in the newsletter I was
appalled. You had indicated some concern when you wrote Juglair in 2007 and
gave him a great deal of information and then Sid Setzer, son of Hymie Setzer,
and a pretty good writer, sent me something which I would not put in our
newsletter. Sid, Juglair, and a few others seem to have drawn conclusions
that we were hell bent on random destruction and as amateur historians for some
reason are bent on rewriting history. They have too much time on their hands!
They think that because they review some mission reports that they know what
happened. But it wasn’t their asses that were puckering, who had the G.I.’s
after seeing one’s name on the mission roster for the following day. In Sid’s
case he seems to be an apologist for the German’s or sees the German Soldier in
a heroic light. I think they were good Nazi’s and knew how to shoot a 88mm, but for my book the good soldiers were the American
G.I. We have had one of these son’s suggest, in a written comment, that
the flak could not have been too bad in the Brenner because-look at how few
planes we lost! A little research would show the high percentage of B-25’s
holed or sustained great damage and yet, because of the skill of the crews, and
strength of the aircraft, were able to return to their bases and survive crash
landings.
I noted your email
to Juglair cautioned him to consider his words and conclusions and he did write
you an explanation of what he meant to say. I sleep well at night bathed
in the knowledge that I was privileged to serve this great nation at a time of
peril. On some missions I saw the collateral damage happening, but on most,
because of our tight formations, that was avoided.
I would like to
caution our members that not everyone out there thinks we were the good
guys----but how do I go about it? If you have any ideas please let me
know.
How hot is it
there? We have had 18 days of plus 100 degrees but I’m sure you would settle
for that.
On another matter,
my nephew-Richard Hancock—like you never knew his father, 2nd Lt.
Richard Louis Hancock, a P-38 pilot, shot down and KIA while engaged in aerial
combat over
Best regards, Victor
Victor,
Thank you very
much for your email. There is a lot for
me to respond to and I would love to expand the dialog. I have not been in close communication with
“Men of the 57th”. If by my
organization, you mean my website- its just me. Most of the material on my website has grown
by submissions from readers: vets and
their families. I am honored to be in
contact with you and as I can glean from your email you are a B-25 pilot from
the 57th Wing. Which bomb
group and squadron? I have a Vonage
phone and can call the
I have not read
Juglair’s book so I don’t know how far he went to portray random destruction by
US airmen. I focused on his quote that
rings true even from his Italian perspective:
“I know the
situtation american soldiers and pilots. They risk their lives for our freedom, many of them died for grant to us democracy.” I take it that he strayed from that sentiment in his book.
Beyond that, he must have issues
with unintended destruction in his village.
I just returned from a repatriation trip to the
Any who question
Allied motives in the war must imagine a world with Nazis still in power-
unthinkable to any sane rational person.
Any who would want that world must be filled with poisonous racial
hatred. As for larger WWII issues that
may come into question,
I worked with Tom Ferebee Jr who’s father was the bombardier on
the Enola Gay. Tom said his father was
proud of his role in performing the mission as duty called to shorten the war
with
Weather- its hot. Summertime
highs average 110 deg and can go over 120.
I have 4 seismic crews and a drilling rig (over 2500 contract people) working in
the
I would be honored
to include your story (bio, pictures, medals, awards, anecdotes) and that of 2nd
Lt. Richard Louis Hancock if you and your family would want to have it on my
website. I am self funded and intend to
keep it up and expand it indefinitely.
Regards,
Doug Cook
Hi Victor,
I just found you
on the 57th website:
321stBG, 445thBS, Lt Victor J Hancock, Pilot
Another comment
that I left out- I am taking my family to
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Victor Hancock [mailto:pilotb25j@sbcglobal.net]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: RE: Requesting information from newsletter Men of the 57th
Hi Doug:
How wonderful for
you to travel to
A number of years
ago Dominique and two or three other friends visited my wife and I here in
I don’t know the
total number of combat crew members there were assigned to the Wing, but God
Bless them, there are close to nine hundred that were killed or missing in
action.
Your work sounds
fascinating as I know a slight bit about oil operations having flown for Choya
Drilling Co. and City Service Oil. With the latter I was required first to work
on an ‘off shore’ rig out of
My combat career
was brief and included only twenty two missions, if you include being a spare
and an early return (which I do!). I was not too proud of what I found out
about myself and was very self-critical about how far I failed to measure up to
my own, prior to that time, heroic self image. But seen now through the lens of
an 87 year old, I think better of myself now.
Have a great time
in
Best
regards, Victor
P.S. Google: Victor J. Hancock or Eloise Jennings for a bit of
personal background.
Victor,
I have been
corresponding with Dominique for years on various items in my website. I look forward to meeting him. He has invited us to stay a night with his
sister.
I have B-25 sounds
in my head from some video I had transcribed from the national Archives. My father suffered hearing loss from the big
engines.
For those
that may not have been able to access the Hi Res video off the Reddog1944 site, I have uploaded it to YouTube:
My
YouTube Site: http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#
Dog
Face Squadron
http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#p/a/u/2/--0qKOwehgU
340th
BG Catania 1943
http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#p/a/u/1/M7Ec7eQHtpc
340th
BG Color
http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwReddogdiving#p/a/u/0/NvFj6schRlg
Previously
in my career I was a geologist in deep water
A
bit of background on my geology career and oceanography passion:
Natural
oil seeps in the
http://www.reddog-diving.com/reddog_diving_GOM_submersibles.htm
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Tim Butterbaugh [tbutter1@gmail.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: B-25J 7A
Dear
Douglas,
My grandfather flew for the squadron. He was the pilot who flew "My Naked
Ass" with the tail designation 7A. I looked through the manifests on your
page, but did not see him listed as such. His name was Ted L. Suarez (Ted
was what he prefered to go by. His actual name was Telmo). Sadly,
he has passed away, but I enjoy your page and seeing the history of the unit
therein. If you or anyone else who might view your page has any information about
my grandfather 1st Lt. Telmo (Ted) L. Suarez, please let me know. Thank-you for your time.
Best
Regards,
Timothy E. Butterbaugh
tbutter1@gmail.com
Tim,
I
have updated the webpage I have for your grandfather with the new information
you gave me that he was a pilot and 1st Lt.
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th%20Squadron%20Index.htm
You
may need to refresh your webpages to get the updates.
Please
pass on anthing else you may have and I will add it.
Download
and read this. I just added it and I think you will finf it fascinating
as I did:
57th
Bomb Wing History “Battle of Brenner Pass”
From: Daniel Setzer
[mailto:dhsetzer@comcast.net]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: Re: 340th Bomb Group Missions posting
Doug,
Yes, the 340th
Missions page on the 57th BW web site is my project.
Of course you may
link with anything you find on that web site. When I started building the
site I recollected seeing a site that included satellite views of the target as
it appears today. I copied the idea, but I lost track of where I had seen
the displays. Thanks for reminding me who I owe for the idea.
I live in
We should
coordinate efforts.
Recently, the
Wing sent me ten boxes representing the archives of the Wing. I have only
opened two boxes. So far I am seeing family photo albums with many
pictures dating to the war years, but also a very large amount of pictures of
the reunions over the years.
I am scanning
everything dating to the war years into digital files and will be sharing with
all that have an interest in the documents. I am very much on the lookout
for crew manifests for the 487th. My father told me that he flew five
combat missions (all milk-runs) and I would love to find a manifest with his
name on it.
So far, album #1
has yielded over 100 photos. Almost all were new to me. Against all
odds I found a picture of my father in a group of guys posing in front of the
Group Operations building on
I am expecting
many more treasures to surface. It will need to be a collaborative
effort. Most photos are very poorly documented so it turns into a
detective story to identify and classify pictures that are coming to the fore.
Dan
Thanks for the
quick reply. Your online 57 BW project was a monumental effort and the
one you are undertaking with the new material maybe even more so since it is
not documented. As you know, Dominique Taddei has encyclopedic knowledge
of the 57th BW and especially the 340th BG and may be
able to help with some of the photos.
Thanks and Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Helger
[mailto:lo.genso@neuf.fr]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: 487bs avignon 1944
Hello, myself
son of GC 1.5 in 1944/45 website French fighter pilot
I congratulate
you on these web pages.
I am
Professor of history and I am working on a book dealing with the bombing of
Avignon in August 44.
487Th BS
participated in missions to this objective.
In order to
illustrate my work I would like to use some photos you put online, can I have
your permission,
you other documents
that might me useful, such as pages of the logbook for missions on
Thanks cordially
Laurent
Gensonnet
Bonjour,
Thank you for
your response.
If I use your
pictures I show the image credit reference.
Then, do you
have your father’s LOG
If Yes, can you scan me the pages concerning flights to
I you will to be
grateful.
I cannot fail to
warn you of the publication of my book that I offer you with pleasure.
Cordialement
Laurent Gensonnet
Laurent,
This is the link to my father’s flight
record. No individual log. He flew two missions on Aug 15 PM mission was to
http://www.reddog1944.com/CHARLES%20COOK%20%20ARMY%20AIR%20CORPS%20FLIGHT%20RECORD.htm
My father was close to Harvey Hyland who’s widow sent me his personal logbook including
http://www.reddog1944.com/Dedicated%20to%20Harvey%20Hyland.htm
More complete missions
coverage:
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th_BG_MISSIONS_INDEX.htm
War diary records go to Aug 1944:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_History_NARA_documents.htm
Regards,
Doug Cook
From:
Stephen Newsome [mailto:stephen@mainsalerealty.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: 488th BS
Thank you for keeping your site alive.
My father was J H Newsom from the 488th BS, 340th
BG.
I am interested in finding more information and pictures
from the 488th.
Good luck to your team today in the Super Bowl…
stephen
Stephen,
Everything that I have is posted. Did
you see these pages? The videos should give you a good idea of what it
was like in combat in |
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Video.htm
This war diary is insightful about 340 BG
daily life:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_History_NARA_documents.htm
488th specific planes:
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20BG%20489th%20BS%20Planes.htm
Another good website:
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/340thHistory.php
If you have material on your father and want
me to put together a webpage dedicated to him, I would be glad to work with you
on it.
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: suzanne230@comcast.net [mailto:suzanne230@comcast.net]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: Info. about Dad's time in
Dear Doug,
I am the daughter of Capt. William B. Suthers who, as a member of the 340th
Bomb Group and the 487th Bomb Squadron, served in
While doing some reading recently, I became interested in getting more specific
details about Dad's Distinguished Flying Cross. I began by re-reading the
letters that my Dad wrote to his parents (my grandparents), while he was in the
service. (It had been awhile!) From there, I started Google-ing,
and that is where I found your site.
Thanks to the war diaries/historical records/mission sheets posted on your site
and on the 57th Bomb Wing site - I have a good bit more information than I
started with.
Dad flew the B-25s and for a good portion of his time it was a B-25J named
Moanin' Minnie. Saw the photo of Moanin' Minnie on your site. You
can just make out Dad's name stenciled under the window - Lt. W.B. Suthers.
He flew 66 missions, most as pilot. A few were as co-pilot, some of which
were on 1st Lt. Harry P. Naruszewicz' ship Uncle Willie.
According to the mission sheets, he flew 7G as pilot, on 8/15/44 - D-Day for
southern France.
In the historical records/outline for the month of Oct. 1944, Dad's D.F.C. is
listed as follows:
28) Capt. William B. Suthers 0-415935 (the one is a typo, it should be a 2)
a) Citadella, Italy, August 31, 1944
b) Extraordinary Achievement
c) Distinguished Flying Cross
In addition to the D.F.C., Dad also had the Air Medal with 6 clusters.
I would truly appreciate hearing from anyone who may have knowledge of my Dad,
William (Bill) Suthers during his time in Corsica. I would especially
love to have any details (beyond what's in the war diary) regarding his mission
on 8/31/44 for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
I was hoping that you might be able to suggest the best place to post
such a request or even other avenues I could try to gather information.
Thanks for your time, I look forward to hearing form
you.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Suthers
Suzanne230@comcast.net
Suzanne,
Thanks for writing.
I have been away from this project for some weeks and you rekindled my
interest. Our fathers must have known
one another. Ironically, your father arrived
at Alesan,
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squadron_Video.htm
As for your quest to find more info on
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/340thMissions_index.htm
The
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/083144_Cittadella.htm
More on the 7E: http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20BG%20487th%20BS%20PLANES.htm
7E
Watch Copier is also in this video: 487th
‘DOG FACE’ Squadron Video!!!
Dan Setzer and
I have done research at the National Archives
Anne
M. O’Connor at the Air Force Historical
Research Agency, Maxwell AFB,
Last but not
least, I invite
you to work with me in making a webpage dedicated to your father’s
service. You have some great documents
including the letters if you are willing to share. I would be glad to discuss it with you if you
are interested.
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: hdgeorgejr@aol.com
[mailto:hdgeorgejr@aol.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: 487th Mission Sheets
Hi, Doug,
It's been a long time since I have been active in 487th matters, but fate has
decided that it's time for me to do so again. I have recently been perusing the
57th Website and saw your request from several years ago for Mission Sheets for
the 487th. I have them from 27 March 1944 through the end of the war on 25
April 1945. A rough guess would make that about 500 pages - no small
duplicating task, but I can certainly have them copied and mailed to you. I
don't know if it would be possible to have them scanned into pdf's and made
scannable. I'm not that tech-savvy. Let me know. Actually, I have all of the
487th mission sheets, but cannot locate the earlier ones. Paul Spencer has the
originals and, I believe, is still alive. You might try contacting him. We got
our copy from him. There are a few other copies floating around, but I don't
remember who has them. (We duplicated them for others several times many years
ago.)
On another front, what has spurred this is an Italian researcher who has
contacted me and who has located the crash site for 7C, the McKinley Jr. High -
the plane my father was shot down in on 22 June 1944. I think that your father
flew the plane's first mission, so there is a connection.
Best,
Harry George, jr.
Harry,
It’s
good to hear from you especially with news about the 487th mission
sheets (Crew assignments?). I made a
visit to
Use this to investigate missions. I only have very few 487th crew
mission sheets.
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th_BG_MISSIONS_INDEX.htm
Use this to read and search the 487th
daily war diary. It’s a large file-stay in it once loaded since you will have
to wait for it to load again to return.
If you want to investigate mission details use the link above.
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_History_NARA_documents.htm
An example of the crew mission sheets I am
after showing the names of the crew and the B-25 they were assigned to:
http://www.reddog1944.com/44-12-10_Calliano.htm
If
you have such a treasure trove of crew mission sheets, I will gladly pay for quality copying
and postage. I can scan them but if you
can have them scanned as .jpg
files so much the better.
An office store like Kinkos could do it.
Do
you have a contact for Paul Spencer? I
would be honored to dialog with him.
Lastly, I am very
interested in the McKinley Jr High crash site.
We made a pilgrimage to Corsica hosted by Dominique Taddei last
year. This could be another one to
explore with my family. Perhaps we could
meet there if you have in mind a trip to Italy.
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Dave's Mail [mailto:monster336fs@gmail.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: 489th greetings
Mr. Cook,
My name is Lt Col Dave "Monster" Berg. I am an F-15E pilot who has just been given the honor to be the first operations officer (second in command) of the soon to be activated 489th reconnaissance squadron on May 16th. Our heritage is the 489th BS. As an avid amateur historian, my goal is to make sure my young airmen learn about their squadron history and become inspired by this who have served before them in the 489th. I have noticed that you maintain this website dedicated to your father and those who served with him. I would be interested in communicating with you concerning the squadron history. It would mean a lot to me to gather info, stories, and digital photos of the past. Do you know if there is a reunion association? I look forward to hearing back from you and appreciate any help you can offer. Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Dave
(Cougar 2)
Dave,
It's an honor to be contacted by you, an F-15E pilot, in regards to the 489th BS. We have a Saudi air base adjacent to Aramco which flies F-15s and Tornados. Fascinating to watch.
The 489th was part of the 340th BG 57th Bomb Wing. The 57th BW does have reunions:
http://57thbombwing.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=slideshowapplet.SlideshowApplet&g2_itemId=48008
I'm not
sure about the 489th BS specifically. My
father was in the 487th which thinned out to too few to continue reunions.
340th BG History:
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th_BG_HISTORY_and_MISSIONS_INDEX.htm
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/340thHistory.php
Regards,
Doug
Cook
From: Bill Maywhort
[mailto:BMaywhort@hollandhart.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: 340th Bomb Group, Mission #735
Dear Mr. Cook,
While researching one of the combat missions flown by my late uncle (Walter B. Wooten, Jr.), I happened across your website dedicated to the 340th Bomb Group. My Uncle Walter was a member of the 486th Squadron and was the pilot typically assigned to Tail No. 6A, “Sahara Sue II.”
Recently, while reviewing some papers and other materials
that belonged to my late mother (Walter Wooten’s sister),
I came across my uncle’s account of
Yours very truly,
Bill Maywhort
From: Michael Higgins
[mailto:darienhighlanders@hotmail.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: Operation DRAGOON -
Importance: High
Douglas:
Hello!
I just finished viewing your website.
My father, 2nd Lt Martin J. Higgins,
The B-25 was one one of my favorite WWII aircraft.
With best regards, I am,
Sincerely,
Michael P. Higgins
Michael,
Thank you for writing to me about Operation Dragoon. I
would be pleased to learn more about it and offer to put the information on the
website.
|
NUMBER |
COMBAT |
TARGET ( |
ASSIGNED |
PILOT |
COPILOT |
NAVIGATOR |
BOMBARDIER |
RADIO |
WAIST |
TAIL |
|
|
MISSION DATE |
|
PLANE |
|
|
|
|
GUNNER |
GUNNER |
GUNNER |
|
44 |
|
531 7R |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
MJ Lukas |
MJ Lukas |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
RJ Mottola |
|
|
45 |
|
570 7H |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
GE Butterfield |
GE Butterfield |
RE Lemkuhl |
GF Becker |
JW Miller |
|
|
46 |
|
570 7H |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
MJ Lukas |
MJ Lukas |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
D Angelini |
|
|
47 |
|
541 7B |
WJ Smith |
CM Cook |
CF Donovan |
CF Donovan |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
L Cerbara |
|
|
48 |
|
066 7M |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
CF Donovan |
CF Donovan |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
D Angelini |
|
|
49 |
|
540 7E |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
CF Donovan |
CF Donovan |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
JW Miller |
|
|
50 |
|
540 7E |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
JF Craber |
CF Donovan |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
PE Sekaras |
|
|
51 |
|
541 7B |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
CF Donovan |
CF Donovan |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
JL Parks |
|
|
52 |
|
066 7M |
CM Cook |
WJ Smith |
CF Donovan |
CF Donovan |
TR Olander |
GF Becker |
JT Edwards |
Pete,
Didn’t you once tell me your father was in D-Day S.
France? I thought of that when I got this email above.
This is the link to my website:
Interesting…looks like he flew right over them. My Dad was 45th
Infantry Division, originally New Mexico National Guard, landing at Cavalaire
sur Mer, just west of St. Tropez. I tried getting service records out of
VA some years ago but unfortunately a large quantity were lost in the 70s due
to a fire at the repository.
He (I think) was also at or near Anzio…definitely Sicily.
At some point I’d have to research the unit records/history.
If you’re in the region, there are a lot of vacant lots in Beaucaire,
and shrapnel marks on the outside of the castle across the
Pete Manson
Doug:
Hello!
Thank you for your reply
My father, Captain Martin J. Higgins, (my mistake,
during the landing, Dad was a 1st LT, not 2nd LT, as I mentioned in my previous
email).
Dad began the war in the Horse Cavalry - the U.S. 10th (Horse) Cavalry, the
famed "Buffalo Soldiers" of the Plains Indian Wars (White Officers
and Black enlisted men). He saw the war from the ground and was most
fortunate to have had a remarkable career in combat. My father was amazed by
the absolute beauty of the French countryside, especially in the lavender
regions of Provence - around Digne - through which he passed or fought. He
would often tell me how he marveled at the incongruence of the beauty of the
countryside against the back drop of the horror of war.
The Operation DRAGOON/ANVIL landings were the most successful amphibious
landings in the ETO, having benefited greatly from hard lessons learned from
TORCH (Morocco), HUSKY (Sicily), SHINGLE (Anzio), and OVERLORD (Normandy).
Dad landed at CAMEL
Doug - I
just looked at the clock... have to scoot off to work...I will continue on
Monday
Once
again, thank you for your reply. I look forward to continuing the
discussion.
Best
regards,
Michael
-----------------------------------------------------
Hello!
As promised, herwith please find the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to
1/141 during
Operation DRAGOON
II.
BATTLE HONORS. -
As authorized by Executive Order
9396 (sec. I, WD
Bul. 22 1943),
superscedlng Executive Order 9075, (Sec.
citation of the following unit in the general orders is
confirmed under
the provisions of section IV, WD Circular 333,
1943, in the name of the President
of the
citation rends as follows:
The 1st Battalion, 1/141st Infantry Regiment, is
cited for heroism, gallantry, and
esprit de corps during the period 15-16 August 1944, in
days of this action, the 1st Battalion successfully assaulted the most difficult
beach in the 36th Infantry Division sector in a hazardous
amphibious operation.
Overwhelming the strongly
fortified enemy beach defenses, the battalion moved
forward rapidly in the face of concentrated machinegun and
mortar fire to seize
the high ground dominating the beach. killing
or capturing all Germans in their
path, the men of this battalion pressed on to seize
immediate objectives with such
speed and aggressiveness that the enemy soon became
completely disorganized.
Then moving east along the
coastline the 1st Battalion assaulted and captured
numerous strongly manned German pillboxes, casements, and
entrenchments.
Capturing over 1,200
prisoners and killing 150 of the enemy, the
1st Battalion,
141st
Regiment seized the bridges on the coastal highway. which were
the final objective of this assault, and broke the enemy's
power within the sector
so effectively that the Germans were never able to
reorganize their forces for a
counterattack.(General Orders 227, Headquarters 36th Infantry
Division, 23
June 1945.)
'
BY
ORDER OF
THE SECRETARY
OF WAR:
OFFICIAL:
DWIGHT D.EISENHOWER :
EDWARD E. WITSELL Chief
of Staff
Major
General,
The Adjutant General
AGO 1417B
716114
U.S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
From:
Deidre [deidrebruce@gmail.com]
> Sent: Wednesday,
> To: Cook, Douglas J.
> Subject: Bitch N Mitch photos
>
> Dear Mr. Cook,
>
> I came across your site while searching for images of my father's WWII
> plane, Bitch N Mitch. I believe my father is in the photo in which Kelly
is
> second from left. His name was Willard A. Bruce, Lt Bombardier. I believe
> that is him, far left. Do you know who is in that photo so I can verify
that
> it is him?
>
> My father passed away on Oct 18. He was 91.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Deidre Bruce
>
I have several pictures of
> the Bitch N Mitch.
>
> http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20BG%20487th%20BS%20PLANES.htm
>
> I need to know which photo shows your father. All these photos are from my
> father's collection.
>
> This web page http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_James_Kelley.htm has
several
> pictures from James Kelley via his daughter Joan Kelley Pariso. She sent
me
> the material for this web page dedicated to her father.
>
> I would be glad to put together a similar page dedicated to your late
father
> if you have material (wartime photos, service records, bio, etc) to post.
We
> can discuss this more later.
>
> Thanks for writing and sorry for your recent loss. I sincerely hope you
have
> Happy Holidays.
>
> Regards,
>
> Doug Cook
From: Deidre Bruce
[mailto:deidrebruce@gmail.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: Re: Bitch N Mitch photos
Hi Doug,
Thanks for writing.
Here are the two photos I was referring to. In the first one, the man is standing on the far left. In the second photo, he is standing, second from left. He is not identified in the captions on your web site. We believe it is our father, Willard A. Bruce. Do you have the original photos, or do you know who might be able to confirm his identity? We are all 99.9% sure it is him. None of us have ever seen this photo before. We do not believe our father had a copy.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Deidre
Deidre,
I
am putting you in contact with Joan Kelley Pariso. joanpariso@gmail.com
She
has the original photos. Perhaps there is more information on the back of the originals.
If
you have more information on your father and would like me to put together a
web page dedicated to him as I did for Joan, I would be happy to assist.
Do
you know when he was in Corsica? I don’t
find him in the 487th BS Roster as of May 1944. You might want to search the mission sheets
for his name:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_Squdron_crew_Mission_Sheets.htm
Then
we might find more mission details:
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th_BG_MISSIONS_INDEX.htm
Searchable
history:
http://www.reddog1944.com/487th_History_NARA_documents.htm
I
found your father referenced in October, Nov, Dec 1944; Feb, Mar 1945 (ref
going home!) Please read these war
diary pages. It really brings the times
alive.
Regards,
Doug
From: Janet Dethick
[mailto:bombedpowtrain@gmail.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: bombing mission St. Egidio Perugia Italy
Dear Mr Cook,
I am one of a committee trying to piece together as much as possible about the crews
of the two planes shot down during this operation.
7K
We have the crew names and know that 3 members - Bob Hicks, Stanley Tulin and
John Raschetz - are buried in Florence Cemetery. We also know that Bob Hicks was admitted to the German field hospital
7T
We have the names of all the crew members but do not
know what happened to any of them.
We would appreciate any details you might have but would also welcome contact
with any of their family members. A future project may be to invite them to
Italy.
Yours sincerely,
Janet Kinrade Dethick (Military History Researcher, Passignano sul
Janet,
All
the information I have is posted. If you
did not find the link to this file, you find it of interest. Note that my father was copilot on 7P. This was early in his deployment, so he saw
some horrific things early.
http://www.reddog1944.com/44-4-6_Perugia.htm
Note
that G J Simpson from 7T escaped from enemy lines and made it back to Corsica
base. Photo in link below for 7C McKinley Jr High.
http://www.reddog1944.com/340th%20BG%20487th%20BS%20PLANES.htm
Dominique
Taddei is a historian living on Corsica.
He may have more information or contacts to add.
Regards,
Doug Cook
-----Original
Message-----
From: Phil [mailto:philm540@aol.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: 340 BG UNK B-25
Doug
I am long in the tooth in my ability to identifty B-25 (and the 2 heavies...much of my work has been lifted w/o credit or misquoted). I can tell you something about you unknown planes.
Royal Flush is a C or D but is likely a D20 to 25 or 30 to 35. It has no armor plate. Nav window and clead upper canopy aft panels. It has a reinforcement plate suggesting it once had D2 Fairfax gun packs.
Geronimo, Helengone and jo- jo jr. Are also late D series in the range above. So is Vesuvianna unless you know some C were transfered in after the eruption. The flack patch may have been noted in mission report damage being so close to pilot legs.
Jersey Bounce, moanin' minnie and Sloppy Joe all appear to have factory J-1 camo of the 43- short serial range.
Bridal
I agree the
Your 6C is a C od D series with an WRAD Ga or Sidi Amien tail mod (prone). It therefore can not be 43-27723 a J series serial number. Perhaps a 42-53723 or nearby. The name may be another Andy Capp perhaps The Momaning (sp) Critte. The The is there Note late B-25J raised the T/O angle with a larger nose wheel having a flate cap and bulged gear door. None of your unk is this late.
Phil Marchese. Restricted to non commercial educational use. All other rights reserved.
Phil Marchese.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone
From: BagpipeJM@aol.com [mailto:BagpipeJM@aol.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject: 387th stuff
Aircraft 7 L shot down over Brenner Pass,
January 1944
Jay Summers was the tail gunner on this
aircraft. He said that it was called Lil Donald. He stated that flak hit the bomb bay and blew the entire tail off
the 7-L. He and the waist gunner were blown free of the plane. Only he and the
waist gunner survived and were taken prisoner. I have a copy of his
papers from his Stalag. He taught English at Bel Air High School El Paso,
Texas for a number of years and I lived down the
street from him for about 7 years. I taught at Bel Air for 31 years
and had lunch with him for 25 years or more.
john
estes
From: Cook, Douglas J.
Sent: Saturday,
To: 'BagpipeJM@aol.com'
Subject: RE: 487th stuff
John,
This is good
material to share and add to the story. It was
http://www.reddog1944.com/45-1-20_Trento.htm
Can you get the
Stalag papers scanned and send them? Do you have access to any other
material or photos from Jay Summers? I could put together a web page
dedicated to him.
Regards,
Doug Cook
From: Jim Nelson [mailto:anmsr213@gmail.com]
Sent:
To: Cook, Douglas J.
Subject:
This is a picture
of my father’s 10th mission flight crew, on
Pilot - 2nd. Lt. Lawson T. Ware
Co-Pilot - 2nd. Lt. Alfred James Nelson, my father
Navigator/Bombardier - FO Lee R. Weil
Right Gunner - Sgt. Sam F. Triantos
Radio Operator/Waist Gunner - Sgt. James M. Hall
Turret Gunner/Engineer - S/Sgt. Emmett O. Holbrook
F - Tech/Sgt. Thomas A. Hetzel
My father is standing on right, he died in 1991. The mission was the Bassaneo East Railroad bridge I have found the website for T. A. Hetzel. I emailed Eric Hetzel, he hasn't emailed me back.
I have pictures of differant noseart pictures of the 487, 489th.
His Individual flight record of April 1945
log book
I would appreciate you making a page for my father.
I will send what I have.
Thank you, Jim Nelson
7Y Sky Demon
9B Legal Eagle
9 H Black Jack
07 - 7G 43-27738
08 ?
09 - 7v supper unit ration K
10 - Willie 7F 43-27510
11 - 7A - My naked Ass
012 - Stella 9F - 43-4058
013 - Helen 9D - 43-27638
014 - Shirley Ann 7Z - 43-4031
015 - Mission Completed 9T - 43-4045
016 - White Litenin 7?
017 - Bugs 486th
1ST
•Both patterns believed to have
crossed eastern half of target area, but accurate observation was difficult due
to evasive action. Fires were observed emitting from areas around the
buildings. One aircraft was holed as a result from flak encountered.
•Pilot – 1st Lt. James B.
Fitzgerald
•Co-Pilot – Flight Officer Alfred
James Nelson
•Navigator/Bombardier – Flight Officer
George E. Erkilla
•Right Gunner – T/Sgt. Pul S. McMillen
•Radio Operator/Waist Gunner – S/Sgt.
Casimir (nmi) Olszewski
•Turret Gunner/Engineer – T/Sgt.
Hubert O. Knauff
•SN 43-27478 – 7J
“YAHOODI”
2nd
THIS
•Pattern fell on the south side of the
san Margherita South bridge. This bridge was hit due
to misidentification of target. Flak was negligible.
•Pilot – 1st Lt. Oscar E.
Olson Jr.
•Co-Pilot – Flight Officer Alfred
James Nelson
•Navigator/Bombardier
– S/Sgt. Francis J. LaPierre
•Right Gunner – T/Sgt. Thomas A.
Hetzel
•Radio Operator/Waist Gunner – S/Sgt.
•Turret Gunner/Engineer - T/Sgt. Bert
M. Gifford
•SN 43-28074 – 7C “ROSIE”
•Flight log of
T/Sgt. Thomas A. Hetzel