Scotty.
 
I knew Al Henke and his brother, they came to many reunions that i attended. I haven't seen them for several years, I think one or both passed away, not sure.
 
During grandpa's and my tour sqdns were never broken up.
You will notice in my diary that our sqdn formation was from 6 to 10 planes for each mission. 
 
 

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

Scotty Ann...This is according to Dick Drain's 5th Wing History Of Aircraft Assigned :
 
"5th Wing Missions"
 
17 Feb 44   Anzio AND Campolene,Italy Troops      (2,97,99,301)
 
22 Feb 44   Regansburg, Germany acft factory    ( 97,99,301)
                   Zagreb,Yugoslavia,  A/D                    (2.99)
                   Olehing Germany                              (2)
 
On 17 Feb 44....all four BGs hit BOTH targets
On 22 Feb 44....the 99th hit both the  Regansburg, Germany aircraft factory AND  the Zagreb Yugoslavia A/D.
 
I hope this explains the apparent discrepancy to you.
 
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)

Jules & Jim, you two continue to be my heroes.
Thank you, again, so much!

Scotty Ann

ps - I have found a site, which I am sure all here are aware of, but wanted to post for new researchers like myself.

Charles McGrew's USAAF Chronology of WWII, month by month: http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/index.html
The footer of each page sources many books and a Jack McKillop - USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service),1955-59

My Uncle Mike was kind enough to scan the few pictures we were able to find. I will attach them over the next few posts.

This CREW picture:

Standing in from of B-26 Ol' Liz

RESTRICTED
COMBAT CREW 477 B.SQ. (Interesting esp. because I knew my Grandfather to be a B-17 pilot in the 348th)
L. TO R.
LT. QUINLIVAN (PILOT)
LT. BARLOW (CO-PILOT)
LT. MULCAHY (BOMB-NAV)
SGT. BRUCE (ENG)
SGT. EVENSON (RADIO-GUNNER)
SGT. LLOYD (ARMORER-GUNNER)
G634-335BG
(5-12-43)
BARKSDALE FIELD, LA.




[image]local://14325/9987A2CF8E9D46B58AE55E930F59952E.JPG[/image]

Attached Image(s)

B-17 2106984 IN FLIGHT

[image]local://14325/6808A3FD556F43EEAE1A0812E83AC3FB.JPG[/image]

Attached Image(s)

B-17 WAR EAGLE with CREW PHOTO

Back of picture difficult to read, but best my uncle can make out:

Fortunately through studying the back for about 30 minutes, I was able to discern most of the words and the following words in bold below are the actual words written on the back of the photo.

This is the plane we flew to England followed by some words that I could not determine
Left to right (2nd row)
Evenson (radioman)
Could not determine name (other pilot – we alternated)
Could not determine name (Bob’s buddy)
Bruce (engineer)
Could not determine name (Bob’s buddy)
Bob
Myself
Mulcahy (navigator)
Also Scotty the dog (this should give you chills)



[image]local://14325/67A0403FF35449E29D8EA5902B54693C.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

B-26 CHAR BABY NOSE ART

Edited to include information from 99BG Historian Gary Staffo (many thanks!):

The 477th BS I believe was a B-26 Marauder group, as it appears from the photos (Ol' Liz   & Char Baby).  The B-26's flew in North Africa early in the War and then I believe they were sent back to England as part of the 9th AF.  I meet with a B-26 Washington Area Marauder Men group each month and I will verify with them.  Several 99th BG Pilots flew with the B-26 in training or combat before being assigned to the B-17.

[image]local://14325/56772080E0A14A8393D775ED3D13B539.JPG[/image]

Attached Image(s)

My grandfather (Bill Quinlivan) in front of CHAR BABY

[image]local://14325/9CCA8B4F1BD44B2F866D738FFFA3DC8A.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

B-17 2106984  in flight

Per Gary Staffo:

42106984 Glittering  Gal  has 348th BS markings, but in The Diamondbacks is listed as 346th?  Perhaps this was prior to BGEN Charles Lawrence taking it as his personal plane  as 5th Bomb Wing Commander (pg 34 The Diamondbacks) !

B-17s in Flight
From my Grandfather's personal collection. No notation of when/where the photo was taken (perhaps on the ferrying trip he took to England in 1944?)


[image]local://14325/D7EB623875CE48738358F8ACBAAE7EFA.JPG[/image]

Attached Image(s)

My grandfather being presented the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Another crew member is also in the picture.
Can anyone recognize who the other pilot or the person is doing the presenting are?


[image]local://14325/AECDD0733A08436F9F9359C88C41F0AF.JPG[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Update of Plane Names - edited to include JS Peters' info -

Serial # 229467 - "Flack Dodger" (8 missions)
Serial # 2106995 - "Anthony J" (1 mission)
Serial # 25817 - "Wonderbird II" (4 missions)
Serial # 124378 - "War Eagle" (2 missions)
Serial # 23058 - ? (3 missions)
Serial # 238084 - "100 Mission" (7 missions)
Serial # 229527 - "Jig Jig" (3 missions)
Serial # 23178 - ? (1 mission)
Serial # 25135 - "MudHen" (1 mission)
Serial # 232069 - ? (1 mission)
Serial # 2107016 - ? (1 mission)

Scotty Ann....I have names for two of the aircraft you have listed....42-29527 was "Jig Jig"
42-5135 was "MudHen".
 
42-5817 you show as Wonderbird II and it is not an official name, according to the criteria that determines an official name.
 
For a name/nose art to be recognized, the nose art/name has to be in the same photo as the data information under the LEFT pilot's sliding glass window, or a photo of the nose art/name has to be in a photo with the tail number of the aircraft also showing, as shown on the vertical stabilizer.
 
Many photos show the RIGHT side of the nose, and in some cases, there was one name on the right side and a different name on the left....only the one on the left wth the data information will be officially recognized.
 
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)

Thanks, Jim - esp. for the additional plane names.

I did know that Wonderbird II was a best guess ... as I read your thread on this board about it (between you and martyjhawk). But for family research purposes I liked having A name vs. No name :)

I appreciate, as always, every bit of information. Thank you, thank you!

Scotty,
 Look at all hands and canteen forum  re Lockbourne.
I mispelled Tony's name.

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

Thanks, Jules!

For others who are interested in this great story, it's at: http://forum.armyairforces.com/m_150454/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#150454