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 Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson
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garjohn

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Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 08:49:16 PM
My uncle was a radio-gunner on Flak Happy; 42-5801.  He was killed during raid on Germany on Aug. 12, 1943.  Would like any more information.
 
Square K

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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 09:12:23 PM
garjohn,
 
Here is some info that you should get you further.  Your uncle was part of the 92nd BG. 
See this thread on this forum:
http://forum.armyairforces.com/m_73483/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm
 
-Keith
-Keith Hardie
Nephew of John David Hardie, 447th BG waist gunner.
www.447bg.com
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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 09:14:11 PM
Gary,

Actually your uncle was on a different aircraft.  Records show that he was on 42-5806 when it went down on August 12, 1943.  He was with the 384th Bomb Group.  Here is the listing from Bits & Pieces of the crew and their fates:


      25806    MACR 288       P      2Lt Robert D. Swank                   KIA
      25806    MACR 288       CP    2Lt William A. Hoffmeyer            POW
      25806    MACR 288       N      2Lt Harold A. Bolin                      POW
      25806    MACR 288       B      2Lt Newell E. Perkins                  POW
      25806    MACR 288       TT     T/Sgt Russel J. Kosse                 POW
      25806    MACR 288       RO   T/Sgt William E. Mattoon              POW
      25806    MACR 288       BT    S/Sgt Carl B. Johnson                 KIA
      25806    MACR 288       LW   S/Sgt Peter P. Sorbo                   KIA
      25806    MACR 288       RW   S/Sgt Carl V. Richey                   KIA

If you want the details of what happened that day you might want to order a copy of MACR 288.

You may also take a look at the web site for the 384th for additional information.
http://www.384thbombgroup.com/

Your uncle is actually listed at this link:
http://384thbombgroup.com/php/person.php?PersonKey=1945

Hal
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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 09:24:00 PM
Nice work Hal!
You know what they say about assuming, I guess I should stop that... just searched the s/n given, thought it was a good match.  Also thought that the link I provided was possibly started by a relative of Johnson... but it says "thejohnstons" with a 't'. 

Cheers,
Keith
-Keith Hardie
Nephew of John David Hardie, 447th BG waist gunner.
www.447bg.com
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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 09:32:21 PM
Gary,

While you're at it follow this link for information about the 21 B-17s that flew on the mission of 8/12/43:
http://384thbombgroup.com/php/One384thMission.php?MissionKey=14&MissionSection=

Appears that 7 of the 21 aircraft sent out on this mission were shot down.

Hal
garjohn

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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 09:42:56 PM
have that information; looking for possible burial site.  one post gave one place, but the names of the two men buried there did not include Buddy.
Gary Johnson
garjohn

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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 09:45:32 PM
Thank you very much.  The name of the pilot was in a letter to my grandmother.  Thank you for your help.
Gary Johnson
garjohn

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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 09:55:20 PM
Do you happen to know if that plane had a name?  Letters to his mom had stated the plane he was on was the Flak Happy, but I guess he was moved to this one. I would also like to know if the plane crash landed or actually crashed into the ground. I know that some of his body was sent home in 48.
Gary Johnson
ron_R

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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/08/2008 11:25:00 PM
the 4 KIA men were burried at Witterschlick and Borheim cemeteries
 
plane was hit by flak and after leaving the formation attacked by fighters
crashed at Vollmershofen-Heidgen
ron
http://www.mary-ruth.ontheweb.nl/
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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/09/2008 06:54:03 AM
According to the 384th web site, see link above, this aircraft did not have a name.  The crew may have had an informal name but never documented it.  Appears this aircraft only survived combat for a month or so and was shot down on it's third mission.  The original incorrect serial number you provided did belong to an aircraft in a different bomb group that was named Flak Happy.  Perhaps that is the source of the confusion.
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RE: Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 01/09/2008 05:14:30 PM
Gary:
# 42 - 5806
7/3/43 - Assigned 384th BG , 545th Sq.
7/12/43 Battle Damage - 2 SAD for Repairs
7/16/43 Regained , Transferred to 547th Sq.
8/12/43 Shot down by LW Fighter - Crashed near Bonn , Ge.
Mission: Gelsenkirchen , Ge.
Mike
 
Frank Gueth

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Re:Carl Benjamin (Buddy) Johnson - 08/08/2008 01:17:13 AM
Hey John,
I a member of a Historian-Group not fare away from the crash sute of the Flak Happy no. two (the offical name).
We found the site, eyewitnesses, get a photo of the site, stay in contact with some members of the crew and many details more..

If you are interessted in more details and... please contact me by PM

Best regards FRANK


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