Is anyone familiar with a B-24 from the
455th BG landing at an air field in Russia?
What was the reason? and which Sq.was it
in?.Would a ground crew Radio/Radarman be
assigned to a Sqd or just group?.

Janos

Fair Winds and following seas.
John, (GM 3/C USS Frost DE 144)

Kin to LT. John W. Farnkopf
15th AAF, 52 FG, 4th FS; Madna, Italy
MIA 11/11/44 remains found 12/8/53

There were shuttle raids to Russia made by B17s probably B24s also. 15th and 8th AF

Jules Horowitz, B-17 pilot, 99th BG, 50 missions/sorties
My tour was from 7/19/43-2/13/44

A suggestion....please contact the 455th BG Association....
 
[url "http://www.armyairforces.com/dbgroups.asp?Group=267"]Click here for Unit Details[/url]. Association contacts: Guss Wendt (treasurer) 455th Bomb Group Association, Inc. 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd. #542 San Antonio, TX 78245-3535 Reunion news: No 2003 info yet. Web sites: None currently listed. Related books: The Story of the 455th Bombardment Group (H) WW II, by multiple authors, Graphics Communications Center.
 
You are more likely to find your answer from the Association contact, who can refer you to someone who can get you an answer.
 
Jim :-)

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

Thank you Jules and Jim.You two still covering my backside.Will proceed with your advice.This queery came from visiting my
wifes cousin recently.He was a Radio/Radar
repairman in the 455th BG 15th AAF.He flew
on 4 missions checking equipt.He lost his best friend,my brother in-law (Fighter-
Pilot 52nd Ftr Grp 15th aaf) And his
brother S/Sgt.Bronze Star/Silver Star
awards 87th Inf Div.In the Ardennes.
I lost my ID when moving from web to
Msn.com.That is still a mess.

Janos (aka Yunch)

Fair Winds and following seas.
John, (GM 3/C USS Frost DE 144)

Kin to LT. John W. Farnkopf
15th AAF, 52 FG, 4th FS; Madna, Italy
MIA 11/11/44 remains found 12/8/53

Hi:
 
Some aircraft of the 15th AF landed in Soviet-occupied territory (including Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary) during missions to Silesia (targets: Blechhammer, Odertal, Oswiecim, ect.) in 1944.
 
A B-24 of the 455th BG landed in Soviet territory on October 14, 1944 and returned on December 13, 1944.
 
Best Regards,
Mike Mucha
AMIAP
 

Mike,
I hope to see him,if we go north at Christmas.I will see if he remembers the time.He is still sharp minded,but he dont volunteer information.I know he use to get shook,when the B24s blew up on take off.
 
Thank you for the Info.
   

This may not pertain to this thread, but my father was a sub crewman on the BA RUM SKA, serial #42-51990 MACR 12815 that landed near Bratislava, Czech. on March 08, 1945.  That is what the MACR states.  However a handwritten letter by the Bombardier, Flt O Milton B. Kerr, states that the plane was forced down in Pecs(sp), Hungary(which is where my father SSgt Rex M. Handy's escape maps pinpoint the start of their journey to Odessa) where they were in Russian hands until April 30, 1945. The plane was "appropriated" by the Soviet government.  The crew was repartriated at Odessa.  Pilot of the plane was 2nd Lt. Eddie C Mlcak.
 
Anyone with any information on what went on during the trip, please let us know.  Thanks
 
Larry M. Handy
604 Lafayette Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
lhandy1798@aol.com

Larry
 
PIC of BAR-R-UMSKA (note spelling)...
http://www.b24bestweb.com/Pics-B-BAR_M-BARQ.htm

Daniel L. Stockton "B-24 Best Web"
http://www.b24bestweb.com/

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