447th Stories
These documents are a selection of first hand accounts
of missions, diaries and various other writings of 447th veterans.
We are always looking for new material to add, so please contact us at
webmaster@447bg.com so we
can include your records.
1.
The Story of Umbriago
This story was written in 1998 by Mr.
Alan Cook,
co-pilot of the Rohde crew of the 711th Squadron
and provided for the collection by Mr. Ernst "Bob" Rohde.
2.
A Night To Remember
by John
Stockham, navigator on the Rohde Crew
an
addendum to "The Story of Umbriago"
3.
Harley Tuck's Wartime Diary
Harley Tuck's Wartime Diary
stands as one of the most
remarkable pieces of writing to come out of the 447th. In its detail
is a wealth of information about the early days of the group, and
about the man, himself.
The diary was originally transcribed
by Mr. Tuck's son, Harley Tuck, Jr., and has appeared from time to
time on the Internet. We are thrilled and honored to provide the
diary with a permanent home in our collection here.
Sgt. Harley Tuck was Radio
Operator/Gunner on the Gilleran crew, 708th Bomb Squadron, arriving at
Rattlesden in November 1943, and flying until shot down and captured
on 22 April, 1944.
4.
Raid on Berlin
Some
rememberances by L. W. "MAC" McFARLAND
5.
Local Flyer Is Back
Sgt Arthur Cooper
was a member of the Robert Jacobs crew, assigned to the 710th Squadron
on the 15th of June, 1944. After each member of the crew had flown at
least one combat orientation mission, the crew flew its first mission
together on July 11, 1944 to Munich.
6.
Lt.
Pete Ebersole Diary
Lt Pete Ebersole arrived at Rattlesden
on December 22, 1944 as copilot
of the Coleman crew (709th). This is Ebersole's flying log; first a
day-by-day
account of his time in the service, followed by comments on his hours
of flying time.
7.
2nd Lt Joseph Gentner
2nd Lt. Joseph
Gentner arrived at Rattlesden in November 1943, as navigator on the
Hitchcock crew. The diary records his 31 missions with the 447th.
8.
Navigator Leonard Hessenauer's
After routine
orientation upon arriving at Rattlesden, Lt. Lowell Simmons flew his
combat orientation mission on June 21, 1944 as co-pilot with Lt.
Gerald Carter. The aircraft, 42-97932, was hit by flak. Simmons was
killed, the rest of the Carter crew captured. Simmons' original crew
flew 35 missions with several first pilots.
9.
Joseph Klaput Diary
Twin brothers Joseph and George Klaput
served on the James Hodges crew in the 711th Squadron as tail gunner
and ball turret gunner. They are believed to be the only set of twins
to serve together during the war.
10.
Sgt. Lloyd Hall Diary
Sgt. Lloyd Hall flew as engineer with
the Hysong crew in the 708th Squadron between August and December,
1944.
11.
Lt. Donald
McDermott
Pilot Lt. Donald
McDermott arrived at Rattlesden in July, 1944, and flew 35 missions
with the 710th.
12.
Lt. Herbert
"Gene" McNabb
Lt. Herbert "Gene"
McNabb served as Bombardier with the Hoffman crew in the 710th
Squadron between September and December 1944.
13.
Richard Pitt, Jr. Diary
Richard Pitt, Jr.
was Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner on the Clarence Aaberg crew,
one of the first replacement crews at Rattelsden. Tragically, Aaberg
was killed on his second mission -- as described below. His place was
taken by Lt. George Hoffmeister, co-pilot from the original Keller
crew. After Hoffmeister completed his tour requirement, co-pilot
Thomas Moriarty took over the left-hand seat in May '44.
14.
Edward E. Beaty Diary
This
diary was kept by Edward E. Beaty, pilot, 710th Sqdn, 447th Bomb Group
until he completed his bomber missions in May, 1944. These comments
were entered in a small black pocket notebook, usually the night after
a mission or the next morning.
15.
Sgt. Louis J. Torretta
Sgt. Louis J.
Torretta was the tail gunner on the Robert Morley crew, and part of
the original deployment from Harvard AAB to Rattlesden in November
1943.
16.
INTO COMBAT WITH THE 447TH BOMB GROUP
This story was first published by the
Old Dominion Squadron of Commemorative Air Force, and later appeared
in the Spring 1999 issue of the 447th Bomb Group Newsletter. It is
reprinted here with the permission of Mr. Oscar J. Quintin.
17. Three Views
Diaries from the Polansky Crew 6/44 - 10/44.
