401st Bomb Group (H) Association
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Paul Bellamy


1/8/2008 3:00:15 PM
Here's the first draft of my file for the 401st misions.

It currently contains placemarks for Missions 200-254 only, this will increase as and when I can add more.

I have tried to be as accurate as I can with the markers where I can identify the precise target from strike photos or other official records. Some of the markers therefore will be merely in the general area or town, so if anyone can help narrow things down it would be welcome.
Similarly, the flight tracks are, in the main, just straight-lines at the moment, except where secondary targets were bombed. Any information regards the original routes will allow me to plot these correctly.

The file should be able to be found HERE

Please let me know how you get on with it,
All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

swinny


1/9/2008 2:22:32 AM
Hello Paul

I didnt had google earth , but afer installing it , I was glad I did it.
It looks great what you made , my compliments.

Andy

_______

My adoption graves http://www.remember-our-heroes.nl/us_401stBG.htm
Paul Bellamy


1/9/2008 9:32:19 AM
Thanks Andy.

File now complete, 1-254.

The following missions are not included as I cannot find the current location.

No.16: Notre Dame de Ferme (Pas-de-Calais)
No.53: Bois Coquerel (Pas-de-Calais)
No.58: Le Grisrnont (Pas-de-Calais)
No.247: Freihan (Germany/Poland)

Note: The paths are not the actual flight routes. Those that are not direct lines show the location of the Primary Target where the Secondary Target was bombed.

New link is HERE.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

EDanaII


1/16/2008 11:03:17 AM
I'm going to have to check this out later. Looks like it will be helpful if I ever get a chance to recreate the 401st missions for the Mighty 8th computer game.

Kudos, Paul. 🙂



EDanaII


1/18/2008 11:56:10 AM
I just played with your google file, Paul, and... YOW! that's a crowded map! 🙂 Nice work, though...

As you stated in your first post it doesn't include flight plans, and as I mentioned in my previous post, I'd love to plan all the missions in the B-17 simulation "the Might 8th." Is that information available somewhere? Maybe we can work together on this one.



Paul Bellamy


1/24/2008 7:02:53 PM
Cheers Ed,

It does look crowded when it loads, but I've tried to seperate the lines evenly once you zoom in.
Imagine how cluttered it would be if I did the full version with the 401st's movements in, and from, the USA. 🙂

I'm hope that somewhere the Association has the routes for each mission, or know where they are archived.
Even any of the ex-Navigators may have their route cards, or the ex-Bombardiers/Toggliers with their flimsies or target maps. They sure would be great to see, and maybe copy for the Association Archive.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

Jackie Sharp Sheflin


1/25/2008 10:03:53 AM
Paul,

This was a wonderful project you put together and I have used Google Earth to view it. I am still trying to see all the missions, but my time has been limited so far. I will enjoy visiting them again and again. Thank you.

Jackie


EDanaII


1/25/2008 2:26:12 PM
Paul,

Here's an image taken from "The Mighty 8th" B-17 simulation, it's not the 401st, but it clearly shows a B-17 flight plan:


Now, I've mentioned this elsewhere, while the makers of this game are notorious for their detail, it's possible they made this flight plan up, but I have to think they got the info from somewhere. I just have no clue where. I suppose NARA could have the info, but I just don't know.

Two cents.

Ed.



Paul Bellamy


3/13/2008 2:11:42 PM
I've been adding more info to the GE File this afternoon.

The main additions are:
Correct flight route for Mission 55 (Erding).
Strike photo for the above. (381BG Photo, but same target, same day)
Assorted other strike photos, both 401BG and other Group's photos.
Bomb Strike Analysis chart for Mission 172 (Leuna Works, Merseburg).

I'll tidy it up a bit and upload it to the original link over the weekend.

TTFN,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

Paul Bellamy


5/21/2008 11:15:35 AM
Using the bearings and waypoints from Robert Grilley's book "Return from Berlin", I've been able to plot the courses of a few more missions. Here's the ones I have so far:



I'll place the new ones in the uploaded folder when I've finished tidying things up.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

EDanaII


5/23/2008 1:11:29 PM
Nice, Paul. Good work as always.

Any chance there are some legends for the colors of those lines?

Ed.



Paul Bellamy


5/23/2008 2:10:15 PM
Thanks Ed,

At the moment the master file has the direct lines in white (not shown), with the corrected mission routes in red.
I just changed the colours briefly to make the above screen grab a bit clearer, especially where some routes use the same or similar waypoints.

I suppose I could have a range of colours for different target types eventually.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

swinny


5/24/2008 3:40:53 AM
Looks great , Paul
Well done.
I also done this on my website with all the MACR's but I used only a straight line , because I do not know the actually mission route.
So I am very interested.

Andy

_______

My adoption graves http://www.remember-our-heroes.nl/us_401stBG.htm
win-win


10/25/2008 2:33:21 PM
Paul (& Ed):

1. Mister s-l-o-w here tried to look at both 'click here' places, and both opened into Google Earth OK, but I immediately became lost...Hansel in the woods with no bread crumbs. How do I get to the Missions part - I didn't see anything under the 'search', 'places' or 'layers' tabs (but it would be far from the first time I couldn't see something in plain sight). Or has my security software again saved me from that pesky stuff 'knowledge'.

2. Regardless, I do have target and track-chart detail for Mission 154 (Politz) and maybe for one or two others. If you're still looking for that kind of info, let me know.

3. (Another) Awesome Project, Paul.

Win


Paul Bellamy


10/25/2008 6:22:05 PM
Hi Win,

Clicking on the link seems to now directly open GE and load the folder without asking for users to OK it.
If the routes don't show scroll down to the bottom of the Places list, where the folder should appear in the Temporary Places tab.

I've just done this myself and have noticed the corrected routes and overlays seem to be missing. Seeing as I've added a LOT of new information recently I guess I'd better tidy my master folder up and reload it to the GE server.
Another job for tomorrow methinks.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

Paul Bellamy


3/3/2010 3:48:46 PM
I've done a little more tidying up of the file, hopefully the current version has uploaded correctly.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

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