Lenny...Unfortunately....the 97th BG has little information, along with many of the WW II Bomb Groups, in the 15th AAF.
The book of the 97th BG has very few pictures of groundcrewmen...most pictures are of the flight crews.
There is a 97th BG Assocation with a contact, that may be able to assist you.
Association Contacts:
Harry Alsaker (membership)
1308 Jackson
Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: 406-543-5388
Norval Seeley (newsletter)
House Springs, MO
Email:
NRSEELEY@SWBELL.NET Current Pres:
Louis Barwick, Sunrise, FL
Reunion News: Sept. 27th to Oct. 2nd 2005
Web sites:
http://www.armyfiretrucks.com/b-17.htm , a tribute page to George Wolf and his 342nd BS crew.
Related Books:
The 97th Bombardment Group History Book Venit Hora, Available for $65, including shipping in the USA, from: 97th Bomb Group History c/o Louis Barwick 2311 N.W. 63rd Terrace Sunrise, FL 33313.
Straight and Level, by Jack Botts. Mr. Botts was a radio operator in the 414th Squadron.
Ups and Downs in a Flying Fortress, by Bud Lembke. Mr. Lembke was a radio operator in the 342nd Sqdn.
The aircraft Might Midgets was 41-24382 in the 341st Squadron....it flew a total of 100 missions and was transferred from the 92nd BG when the 97th left England for N.Africa. The 97th BG was equipped with the B-17E and a trade was with the 92nd BG for B-17Fs in the move to N.Africa.
This is from Roger freeman and David Osborne's The B-17 Flying Fortress Story :
41-24382 Ass 92nd BG. Bangor 28 Jun 42 ; 341 BS/97BG Polebrook 8/42 ; 100missions) sal 5 Jun 44 ; MIGHTY MIDGETS
Jim :-)
post edited by jpeters140 -