Click here for a brief history of the 447th.
Moderator of the 447th forum here on ArmyAirForces.com is David Warren.

Association contacts:

Russell D. Chase (President)
3147-D Via Vista 
Laguna Woods, CA 92637-8812

George Hoidra (Treasurer)
6504 Old Sandy Spring Road
Laurel MD 20707-2954
301-953-2813
E-mail: ghoidra@yahoo.com

Ernest Osborne UK Liaison
3 Oliver Road, Bury St
Edmunds Suffolk UK IP33 3JH
Phone: +44(0)1284 762899

Reunion News:

July 2006 - 447th Bomb Group Reuion - Southern California Details will be made available here and on www.447bg.com when available.

Web sites:

www.447bg.com, The official 447th Association web site.
http://www.behindbarbedwire.com/whauptman.htm, Tribute page to pilot & POW 2nd Lt. Walter Hauptman.
http://www.dickinson.edu/~history/rlm, Story of Ralph Minker, 709th Squadron pilot of the Blue Hen Chick.
http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/heroes/jackkeller/jackkeller.shtml, Story of Jack Keller, 711th Squadron tail gunner on Ol' Scrap Iron.

Related Books:

History: 447th Bomb Group, Doyle Shields. Please contact George R. Hoidra 6504 Old Sandy Spring Road Laurel, MD 20707-2954 Phone: (301) 953-2813, Email: ghoidra@yahoo.com
Pictorial History of the 447 Bombardment Group, Estley K. Surridge & Edward C. Dooley. Newsfoto, 1946 (out of print).
One Lucky Bastard, Elwyn 'Stub' Warfle, two-tour bombardier with the 447th, Mt. Vernon Publishing (Out of Print)
Maximum Effort, Richard Bender, copilot, shot down in April 1944, Eagles Landing Publishers, Lake Alfred, FL
My Three Years, Ed Patterson. Gunner on 42-31157 Red Ass, shot down over coastal France on February 13, 1944, taken prisoner, and on to Stalag Luft VI. Available for $15 ppd. Ed Patterson, 5689 W. Tice St. Homosassa FL, 34446.
The Story of Buddy Buddy, Hyrum V. Bell, Self published, 1976.

2006 447TH BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REUNION
 
The 447th Bomb Group will hold its Annual Reunion in July in Southern California!!
 
July 11th - July 16th held at the Holiday Inn Buena Park. 
The tentative itinerary will include several activities. 

Tuesday: Guests start to arrive

Wednesday: Arrivals and Registration continuing, visit local attractions and the Hospitality Suite opens (where you will find me)

Thursday: Guided Bus Tour of Orange County with a Newport Beach Harbor boat cruise.  Group Buffet Dinner followed by the film screening of "Though the Heavens Fall: Courage Beyond History" (Featuring Veterans of the 447th Bombardment Group (H).  A must see!!! 
To learn more about the documentary film visit:
http://www.447bg.com/bga/bga.html  or  http://www.trueperspectivefilms.com/ 

Friday: Group Meeting followed by a group tour of the Queen Mary with lunch.

Saturday: Option # 1 - Old Towne Orange Tour - Historical walking tour, luncheon and shopping.
              Option # 2 - Trip to John Wayne Airport to visit the B-17 "Fuddy Duddy", which carries the 447th BG markings!  (that's where you will also find me!!)
 
For registration information, please contact me via email..
squarek @ adelphia.net  (please note that I have put spaces on my email address to guard against spam).
 
Hope to see you there !!!
-Keith

-Keith Hardie
Nephew of John David Hardie, 447th BG waist gunner.
www.447bg.com