We accept pictures, and will publish them on our site to better help you find the information about your comrade, loved one, relative, or acquaintance.
Updates and search requests are posted regularly. Please click on the link below for our archive of Looking4 requests:
I would appreciate any information on Calvin D Schapira, my father and on tail number 239789.
Rick - Association records for Calvin Schapira show he flew 24 missions as co-pilot with the 526th Squadron from November 16, 1943 to March 3, 1944. Our records show missions 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 53, 54, 55, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76. Lt Schapira may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Lt Schapira looks to be fairly unique in that his crew was very consistent over the course of his tour. Also, most of the crew’s missions were flown in one aircraft, 42-39783, “Blues in the Night”. His crew was as follows:
Jaynes, Donald B, Lieutenant, Pilot Schapiro, Calvin D, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Simpson, Jack T, Lieutenant, Navigator Cole, Lloyd R, Lieutenant, Bombardier Dolph, Ralph (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Bolen, Edward L, Staff Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner Stockwell, James E, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Crain, Reynold B, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Brewster, Charles H, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Callendar, Lynn C, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. A/C 42-39789 was named “Stupefier II” I do not find any record that Lt Schapira flew any of his missions in that aircraft, however the records we have are not always complete. If you have information that suggests Lt Schapira was part of the crew of Stupefier II for any missions, or any photos of that aircraft, we would be grateful for copies. A photo of “Blues in the Night” is being sent via separate e-mail.
My father, philip smith, was in the 524th wing. I was wondering if you have any information or pictures. He will be 89 this may. sean smith
Sean - Association records for Phillip A Smith show he flew 28 missions as bombardier with the 527th Squadron from June 28 to November 4, 1944. Our records show missions 156, 157, 158, 159, 162, 171, 172, 186, 188, 189, 192, 194, 195, 197, 200, 201, 204, 205, 207, 208, 219, 222, 225, 226, 228, 229, 230, and 231. Lt Smith may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
As with most bomber crews, Lt Smith flew his missions with a number of different crews, and in a number of different aircraft, including several in a/c 42-40003, “Ol Gappy/Topper”. This aircraft went on to fly the highest number of missions, 157, of any B-17 in the Eighth Air Force. A photograph of that airplane is being sent by separate e-mail. Lt Smith’s “regular” crew, at the start of his tour, was as follows:
Evans, Robert C, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Richardson, Robert A, Flight Officer, Co-Pilot Cramer, Martin G, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Smith, Phillip A, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Nelson, Alvin , Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Kincaid, William R, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Hattaway, Clinton J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Wucki, Frank , Sergeant, Waist Gunner King, James B, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. We would very much like to hear any memories of Kimbolton and the 379th should your father like to share them with us.
Hey there, I am very interested in finding some information and pictures about the Telatha Ann and about my grandfather who was a waist gunner on this plane, at least when it was shot down on 3/26/1944, or other planes he may have been on. If u do have pictures i may be able to identify which one he is in the picture. Thank u very much!!!!!
Brandon - Association records for George A Frazier show he flew 19 missions as gunner with the 526th Squadron from December 30, 1943 to March 26, 1944. Our records show missions 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75, 80, 82, 88 and 89. Sgt Frazier may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
As with most bomber crews, Sgt Frazier flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, including a/c 42-97485, “Taletha Ann”. A photograph of that airplane is being sent by separate e-mail. Sgt Frazier’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Beilawski, Stanley L, Lieutenant, Pilot Buttrey, Wallace C, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Weinstein, Robert M, Lieutenant, Navigator Domorgue, Raymond E, Lieutenant, Bombardier Hartnett, Edward C, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Greggs, Leo L, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Conlin, Bernard M, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Ghiazza, Edward C, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Frazier, George A, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Fifield Jr., Lester (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information.
I am seeking any info possible on my brother who was stationed at Kimbolton from march thru June 1944 as a radio/gunner on the B17 Judy II. thank you very much. payson george
Payson - Association records for James J George show he flew 31 missions as radio operator/gunner with the 527th Squadron from April 10 to June 24, 1944. Our records show missions 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 103, 104, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 116, 117, 119, 121, 125, 127, 129, 130, 133, 134, 135, 136, 142, 143, 144, 145, 150, and 152. Sgt George may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
As with most bomber crews, Sgt George flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, however, unlike a lot of crews he flew the majority of his missions in a/c 42-97462, “Judy II”. A photograph of that airplane is being sent by separate e-mail. Sgt George’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Dirks, Lyle D, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Brule, Robert W, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Landsberg, Leon H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Bloomer, James A, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier George Jr., James J, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Fender, Wesley H, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Elder, Kenneth M, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Jones, Francis (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Landis, George M, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Luben, Richard A, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. If you have any photos from your brother’s service, especially airplanes or crew photos where the crew members are identified, we would be grateful for any digital copies. Hard copy photographs will be returned on request. We are trying to fill in any gaps in our records with veteran’s personal photos when possible.
Samuel Edwin Runyon enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1945 and was a tailgunner on a B17-G stationed at Kimbolton Airfield (379th). If it is available I'd like to get info on the bomber name and list of the crew members that served with him to add to my archives.
Dustin - Association records for Samuel E Runyon show he flew 29 missions as tail gunner with the 524th Squadron from January 21 to April 25, 1945. Our records show missions 269, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 278, 281, 283, 284, 285, 287, 291, 293, 297, 302, 303, 306, 308, 313, 314, 315, 316, 324, 326, 327, 328, 329, and 330. Sgt Runyon may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
As with most bomber crews, Sgt Runyon flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, including a/c 42-102974, “Hellcat Agnes” and 42-97370. “The Hellion”. Photographs of those 2 aircraft are being sent in a separate message. Sgt Runyon’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Johnson, Carl H, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Mitchell II, Charles A, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Lorenzi, Julius J, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Steele, Powell , Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier Rinker, Max , Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Grindeland, Merlin , Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Roberson, Harrell , Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Ronnie, Owen A, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Runyon, Samuel E, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. If you have any photos from your grandfather’s service, especially airplanes or crew photos where the crew members are identified, we would be grateful for any digital copies. We are trying to fill in any gaps in our records with veteran’s personal photos when possible.
To Whom it May concern, My father was with the 8th Air Force stationed in Kimbolten near bedford, England in 1944-45. I am attaching a picture of him. His name is Gordon C. Hay with his plane the "Round Twip Rabbit." He also flew a plane named Thumper. Dad passed away in 1998 but never forgot a mission or a crew member. Dad is in the front row the 1st man on your left, a head taller than the other crew members.His papers said he was originally with the 524th Bombardment Squad and then went to the 708th Squad/ 447th Bomb group. I thought you might like to add his picture to your site. I do know his Commanding officer was Lewis Lyle. He deployed Christmas Eve 1944 and returned home Sept 45.
Thank you for your time in this matter. I don't know if any of the Crew is still left but would love to hear from any one that might have known Dad. I was always a Daddies girl, and always will be. He was my Hero!
Sincerely, Meredith Hay Kelly
Meredith - Association records for Gordon C Hay show he flew 27 missions as co-pilot with the 524th Squadron from February 16 to April 16, 1945. Our records show missions 280, 281, 283, 284, 285, 287, 291, 293, 295, 296, 297, 299, 300, 304, 305, 308, 311, 312, 313, 314, 317, 318, 319, 321, 323, 325, and 326. Flight Officer Hay may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
As with most bomber crews, F/O Hay flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, including a/c 43-38466, “Round Twip Wabbit”. We find no record of missions in a/c 43-38272, “The Thumper”, but if you have your father’s records we would be interested to compare with ours to try to account for any discrepancies. In any event, F/O Hay’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Martin, Donald R, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Hay, Gordon C, Flight Officer, Co-Pilot Pfouts, Peter , Flight Officer, Navigator Granet, Gilbert K, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Lewis, James N, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Bensinger, Claire W, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Drapal, Earl J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Hardesty, Teddy , Sergeant, Waist Gunner Kealer, Melvin C, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Gilbert Granet is on our current membership roster.
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. If you have any other photos from your father’s service, especially airplanes or crew photos where the crew members are identified, we would be grateful for any digital copies. We are trying to fill in any gaps in our records with veteran’s personal photos when possible.
Looking to find info on missions flown by my dad in the 379th. I would like to know which missions he flew, I think he said that he flew on 39 missions. He was flight engineer/top turret. I would also like to find out the name of his plane. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Dan Perkins 303-424-8691
Dan - Association records for Loren E Perkins show he flew 36 missions as engineer/gunner with the 525th Squadron from November 9, 1944 to March 10, 1945. Our records show missions 235, 236, 239, 241, 242, 243, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, 252, 254, 255, 257, 259, 261, 262, 263, 264, 267, 268, 273, 275, 277, 280, 281, 285, 286, 288, 290, 292, 293, 296, 297, and 298. Sgt Perkins may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
As with most bomber crews, Sgt Perkins flew his missions in many different aircraft. A photo of a/c 43-38679, “Miss Liberty”, the aircraft he flew in on his 3rd mission (379th Mission 239 to Gelsenkirchen, Germany) is being sent via separate e-mail. Crew of this airplane for this mission, and what looks to be your Dad’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Barton, Fred A, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Bartsch, Arlo F, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Campbell, Curtis B, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Waronker, Jay A, Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier Morris, Arthur E, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Perkins, Loren E, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Vought, Richard S, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Wilson, Keith H, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Bommarito, Joseph A, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. If you have any photos from your Dad’s service, especially airplanes or crew photos where the crew members are identified, we would be grateful for any digital copies. We are trying to fill in any gaps in our records with veteran’s personal photos when possible.
My dad, William B.Plough, serial number 15329374, in Squadron 524, served with the 379th bomb group, Eighth air force, on a B-17 Fortress as an engineer-gunner. He, at one time, was based at Kingborough Air Base in England, and his pilot was a Lt. Stanley Bailey. That's the only name he can remember at this point. Dad is now nearing 92, and I thought it would be really cool if I could find out the names of those in his squadron, and if any were still living. Do you have any idea how I go about doing that. I do have a picture taken at Kingborough Air Base which I will try to attach to this e-mail. It was taken on July 19, 1944.
Even if you can point me in the right direction, it would be appreciated so much.
Dianna Plough Karnes phone 260-982-4747 1506 Mary Knoll Ln. N. Manchester, IN 46962
Dianna - Association records for William B Plough show he flew 35 missions as engineer/gunner with the 524th Squadron from July 29, 1944 to February 1, 1945. Our records show missions 176, 177, 178, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 192, 204, 205, 207, 208, 211, 212, 213, 219, 221, 222, 223, 226, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 238, 239, 240, 244, 250, 252, 255, 272, and 274. Sgt Plough may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
The 379th Bomb Group was based at Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire – close to your dad’s recollection of Kingborough. Based on the photo you provided, which was the fairly typical crew photo taken on arrival at Kimbolton, before the crew’s introduction to combat, his “regular” crew was as follows:
Bailey Jr., Stanley L, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Alpert, Sumner M, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Butler, Leo H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Fenning, William M, Flight Officer, Bombardier Cates, Harold H, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Plough, William B, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Ingram, John E, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Coles Jr., William J, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Maniaci, Phillip J, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
You will notice that there are 10 men shown in the photo, but only 9 on the crew roster. The B-17 was originally manned by a crew of 10, and most replacement crews arrived at their new base as a group of 10. Just prior to your dad’s crew starting their missions, most crew complements were reduced to 9 by the elimination of one of the two waist gunners. It was felt that a single gunner in the waist could go from left side to right side if necessary, which would reduce crew weight and eliminate the waist gunners from bumping into one another. Unfortunately, while we’re fairly confident in the crew names provided above, we aren’t able to put names to the faces pictured in the photo, or identify the “odd man out” when the crew complement went to 9. If you’re dad is able to put names to faces, we would be grateful for that information. Sorry, none of the names listed above are on our current membership roster.
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. A photo of a/c 42-31720, “The Blue Blazing Blizzard”, which is the aircraft your dad flew for his 1st combat mission, is being sent in a separate e-mail.
Hi, My name is Alex Leonard, I recently learned of the 2008 reunion in Savannah. My grandfather is 1LT Herbert Bruce Alford who served from late 44 to April 21, 1945. I will graduate from the University of South Carolina this December and my granddad will be attending-we had planned on making a trip to the museum in Savannah but we may now come down for the reunion this month as well.
Do you have access to the details of Lt. Alford's crew? His aircraft was named"Stardust". The only crew member he has mentioned is "Gizmo" Munson.
Prior to assignment with the 379th, Mr. Alford was the MVP of the 1942 Orange Bowl. Following the war, he played football for the New York Yanks (where he met Tom Landry, and they became lifelong friends). He later launched a door manufacturing business, but spent most of his career as a referee in the NFL. He officiated Superbowls 2,7 and 9. Today, he resides in Fort Worth, TX where he still oversees the door company.
Any info you have would be great. I hope you can pass my grandfather's information along to anyone who might be interested.
Thanks, Alex Leonard
Alex - Association records for Bruce Alford show he flew 31 missions as co-pilot and pilot with the 527th Squadron from January 22 to April 19, 1945. Our records show missions 270, 271, 273, 274, 275, 278, 280, 282, 283, 284, 290, 291, 292, 294, 296, 297, 298, 299, 303, 304, 305, 308, 313, 314, 317, 319, 324, 325, 326, 327, and 328. Lt. Alford may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Lt Alford flew the majority of his missions on one aircraft – s/n 44-6835, “Stardust”. Using the name “Munson” from his recollection (remember that, like most crews there was a certain amount of personnel rotating in or out, sometimes for any given mission), his “regular” crew was as follows:
Royall Jr., John M, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Alford, Herbert B, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Munson, James A, Flight Officer, Bombardier Gfrerer, Philip C, Staff Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier Fullmer, Robert D, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Pitchford, Robert E, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Sines, Elmer E, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Kazar Jr., Louis , Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This personnel changed again when Lt Alford started flying as the command pilot. This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. A photo of a/c 44-6835, “Stardust”, is being sent in a separate e-mail.
I believe my late father Donald H. Baumhart served in the 379th @ Kimbolton in 1945. The name of his plane from the back of his flight jacket is You Never Had It So Good. I would appreciate any info about missions, crew etc.
I also have an inflight photo of a B-17 @ 20,00 ft with readable tail sign. I would be happy to send to anyone interested.(N 338028)
Cindy - Association records for Donald H Baumhart show he flew 4 missions as gunner/togglier with the 527th Squadron from April 15 to April 25, 1945. Our records show missions 325, 326, 328, and 330. Sgt Baumhart may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Sgt Baumhart flew each of his 4 missions on a different aircraft – not uncommon – but we have no record of an aircraft named “You Never Had It So Good”. This could have been an “unofficial” name created by the crew, or merely a commonly expressed sentiment. Sgt Baumhart’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Anderson, Charles T, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Prough, Robert L, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Harris, George A, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Baumhart, Donald H, Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier Crouch, Hubert J, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Bruder, Earl H, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Welch, Robert E, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Weeding, Clarence E, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. A photo of a/c 42-97825, “Phyllis”, the aircraft that Sgt Baumhart flew for his last combat mission is being sent in a separate e-mail.
My husband is looking for any information about his uncle that served in the 379th. He was a tailgunner from 43-44 on "9 Yanks and a Rebel."
Leroy Association records for John Franklin Basye show he flew 25 missions as gunner with the 526th Squadron from November 26, 1943 to March 18, 1944. Our records show missions 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 60, 64, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 83. Sgt Basye may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
As you state, Sgt Basye flew what looks like the overwhelming majority of his missions aboard aircraft 42-30720, “Nine Yanks and a Rebel”. He looks to have been a crew substitution on one mission, and his “regular” crew looks to have used a different aircraft for one mission. That “regular” crew was as follows:
Hahn, William N, Lieutenant, Pilot Schurink, Wilfred G, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Davis jr, Charles I, Lieutenant, Navigator Grimm, Robert A, Lieutenant, Bombardier Sanford, Joseph M, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Fisher, Sam (NMI), Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner Gifford, Orville R, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Major, Lawrence N, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Pecht Jr., Charles E, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Basye, John F, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. A photo of “Nine Yanks and a Rebel” is being sent in a separate e-mail.
I’ve had this email returned as “undelivered” so I’m trying again…..
To: 379th Bombardment Group
I’m interested in finding information on the name of the aircraft and missions flown by my father, William J. Loughridge (ball turret gunner). All members of his crew returned to he U.S. after the war and had many reunions together. Any photos would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Steve Loughridge
Steve – Association records for William J Loughridge show he flew 3 missions as gunner with the 527th Squadron from April 16 to April 25, 1945. Our records show missions 326, 328, and 330. Cpl. Loughridge may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Cpl. Loughridge flew 2 of his 3 missions on “named” aircraft, Mission 328 aboard 42-102627, “Queenie”, and Mission 330 aboard 44-6507, “Lucky Patch”. Photos of those 2 aircraft are being sent by separate e-mail.
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information.
Dear Sir, My uncle, Robert Kritzer was the only survivor of 42-97520. He was shot down on /22/1944. He lost a leg and was a POW exchange. He is doing fine today.
Could you tell me what the nose art was on the aircraft?
Regards,
Maurice Joseph Azain II, MPA. Major, Green Berets, Retired
Maurice – Association records for Robert Kritzer indicate he was flying in a/c 42-97520, “Peg-O-My-Heart”, on the 2/22/44 mission to Halberstadt, Germany. Sorry, we have no photograph of this aircraft, and no information on its nose art.
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information.
I'm looking for information on my father, Lt. Thomas C. Wickham, who was downed over Germany on Aug. 12, 1943, while serving in the 524th Squadron. And perhaps info on other survivors on that flight. Anything you can provide would be really appreciated.
Nelia Wickham
Nelia - Association records for Thomas C Wickham show he flew 7 missions as bombardier with the 524th Squadron from July 14 to August 12, 1943. Our records show missions 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18. Lt Wickham may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
On August 12, 1943, the 379th was dispatched against the synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Crew for that mission, and their disposition, was as follows:
Osborne, Ralph H, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, KIA Jones, Leslie E, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, POW Hand, William D, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, POW Wickham, Thomas C, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, POW Fambrough, Mildred O, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, KIA Keenan, Patrick J, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner, KIA Truman, Lawrence E, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, KIA Irwin, Charles B, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, KIA Dayton, Warren T, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner, KIA Scruggs, Howard R, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, KIA
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. The navigator, William Hand, is on our current Association roster. Also, 2 of Lt Wickham's missions were flown on aircraft 42-3176, "Lady Astrid" - a photo is being sent via separate message, if you recognize your father in that photo, we would be grateful for an identification. Note that this may be a different crew completely, but since he did crew on that aircraft, an identification would be valuable for our records.
Hi! I am looking for any information on my grandfather. His name is Robert F. Thimmig. I know that he was in the 8th Air Force, 379th Bomb Group, 524th Bomb Squadron in England during WWII. I believe he was a navigator.
Can you give me any more information on him. I would like to share this information with my class which is studying WWII.
Thank you!
And thank you to all those who served and serve today in the US Military!
Sir – Association records for Robert F Thimmig show he flew 23 missions as navigator with the 524th Squadron from November 10, 1944 to April 25th, 1945. Our records show missions 236, 238, 239, 240, 241, 278, 279, 283, 285, 291, 293, 297, 299, 303, 306, 313, 316, 317, 321, 323, 326, 328, and 330. Lt Thimmig may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Lt Thimmig flew his 1st combat mission as a Flight Officer, promoted later to Lieutenant. The break in missions, between 241 and 278, looks like it was a training break, because our records show that following that break he was the operator for the new PFF Navigation, which allowed Navigation and Bombing by Radar. Also following this break, as was the norm for PFF equipped aircraft, Lt Thimmig flew only on Lead or Deputy Lead ships, and not usually with the same crew. His “regular” crew, for his early missions, as as follows:
Hecker, Arnold J, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Marshall, Clarence J, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Thimmig, Robert F, Flight Officer, Navigator Wenger, Herbert R, Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier Leto, Philip J, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Redden, Percy D, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Zaken, Charles L, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Belt, Boaz E, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Thornburg, Roland H, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information.
Dear sir: While looking for information about a late neighbor, LT Colburn Ackley, Bombardier, 526th BS, I ran across the story of Harold Bailey (Search no. 1337) who bailed out of 42-5827 on 16 Aug 43 mission to Le Bourget.
When I was a kid, Colb used to tell me about some of the missions he had flown. This was one of his stories. He told me their aircraft had been hit by flak during/after the bomb run. Two engines were on fire and the intercom was out (at least to the nose). The plane was in an extremely steep dive and seemed out of control. Both Colb and LT Bailey, the navigator, thought the plane was going down. Since they couldn’t raise anyone on the intercom, they assumed the rest of the crew had bailed out. Afraid that the plane would blow up or go into a spin, LT Bailey went out the hatch in the nose. Colb was ready to follow him, when he thought he better make sure the pilots got out, too.
He went through the crawl space and found both pilots calmly watching the fires in the engines and the instruments. One said to the other, “I think another couple thousand feet should do it, don’t you?” Having exhausted the fire extinguishers, they were diving the plane to blow out the fires in the engines. They succeeded and brought “Lakanukie” home –minus one navigator.
Colb’s 27th and final mission on 24 Dec 43 was in “Lakanukie”.
By the way, Colb would never tell me the name of his aircraft. Are there any photos of 42-5827 “Lakanukie?” Does anyone have any information about Colb’s tour with the 379th?
He passed away in the mid-1970s in his home town of Vancouver, Washington. I will always treasure the stories he told me.
Thank you,
Grant Williams
Grant – Association records for Colburn Ackley show he flew 25 missions as bombardier with the
526th Squadron from June 11 to December 24, 1943. Our records show missions 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 35, 39, 40, 41, 43, 46, 51, and 52. Lt Ackley may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Sorry, we have no known photo of Lt Ackley or “Lakanuki” other than a crew photo in Shades of Kimbolton, available through the PX. Lt Ackley’s crew on the 16 August 1943 mission was as follows:
Satariano, Sam P, Lieutenant, Pilot White, Frederick F, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Bailey, Harold B, Lieutenant, Navigator Ackley, Colburn E, Lieutenant, Bombardier Perry, Donald D, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Kline, Louis D, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner Bouffard, Robert A, Tech Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Tibbetts, Elsworth N, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Buchanan, Beaufort A, Tech Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Glynn, William A, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. The pilot, Sam Satariano, is still active with the Association, and regularly attends reunions.
Has anyone identified S/Sgt. Thompson in a photo. He passed away at the age of 85 last week. He flew 33 missions with the 379th as a ball turret gunner. His children have no pictures of him during WW II. I am his brother-in-law and will appreciate any info you may have on his WW II service. He flew missions on D-Day and before and after.
Thanks, Carroll Emberton
Carroll – Association records for Lester O Thompson Jr. show he flew 34 missions as gunner with the 524th Squadron from April 13 to July 20, 1944. Our records show missions 96, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 115, 116, 117, 122, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 132, 134, 136, 137, 142, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148, 153, 160, 161, 164, 165, 167, and 170. Sgt Thompson may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Sorry, we have no known photo of Sgt Thompson or his crew. Sgt Thomson’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Lavery, Richard J, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Spratt, Warren E, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Strate, Harry E, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Walsh, Robert R, 1st Lieutenant, Bombardier Hawerlander, Theodore S, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Millard, Alymer G, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Thompson Jr., Lester O, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Kaminski, Joseph R, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Thorpe, Thomas G, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Black, George W, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information.
I am seeking information on the wartime service of my father, George E. Cannon, who was a navigator in the 379th Bombardment Group, flying 35 combat missions from 7-29-44 to 11-21-44. I do not know his squadron, but his aircraft was the Miss Behavin', and his pilot was Conrad Anderson. His grandson, GEC III, is an F-15E pilot, currently stationed at RAF Lakenheath, which is near Kimbolton. He is very interested in his grandfather's experiences while in England and would like to visit the location of the airfield, if it still exists, any memorials in the area, and any other sites of importance to 379th BG (H) history. Any information that could help identify appropriate sites to visit and their significance would be greatly appreciated.
George E. Cannon, Jr. Col. USAF (Ret.)
George -
Association records for George E Cannon show he flew 35 missions as navigator with the 524th Squadron from July 29 to November 21, 1944. Our records show missions 176, 177, 178, 179, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 195, 196, 197, 199, 200, 203, 204, 207, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 225, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 236, 238, 239, and 240. Lt Cannon may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.
Lt Cannon flew his missions, as did most bomber crewmen, in a number of different aircraft. The most common was a/c 42-97967, "The Hun Runner", on which he flew 16 of his 35 missions. Ironically, we have no record of any mission flown in a/c 44-6143, "Miss Behavin". As your message indicates, we show Lt Cannon's "regular" crew was as follows:
Baron, Howard O, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Anderson, Conrad T, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Cannon, George E, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Victor, Walter J, 1st Lieutenant, Bombardier Cole, Frederick G, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Breissinger, Robert D, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Green, Arthur F, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Layland, Ralph D, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Malone, Robert E, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. A photo of "The Hun Runner" is being sent under separate cover. We would be grateful for a copy or transcript of you father's diary - personnel accounts are always welcome, and may be helpful reconciling records or in future inquiries.
As far as visiting Kimbolton, there is a memorial at the entrance to an industrial park situated in what was part of the administrative area of the base. The runways are gone, but the public road leading to the industrial site uses part of the old perimeter track, and a cart racing club uses a pair of the remaining hard stands. A couple of buildings also remain. The church in town also maintains a small memorial to the 379th.
