401st Bomb Group (H) Association
The best damned outfit in the USAAF!
Welcome Guest, you are in: Login

Search this website: »
PostedMessage
Rascal


6/5/2008 5:14:57 PM
Looking for information on "Dynamite John" B-17G 42-102398 and trying to confirm if the co-pilot was named Lahey, or if he was a crew-member..all I have at this time is the last name. Any and all help most appreciated.
Thanks

Rascal


Paul Bellamy


6/5/2008 7:31:54 PM
612th Bomb Squadron.
Crew of: Capt K.H. Opie;

Pilot: Capt K.H. Opie
Copilot: 1st Lt E.A. Lahey
Navigator: 1st Lt J.M. Schwartz
Bombardier: Capt J.E. Browne
Radio Operator: T/Sgt G.C. Fleetwood
Engr/Top Turret: T/Sgt A.P. Simmons
Ball Turret Gunne:r S/Sgt J.F. Brodie
Tail Gunner: S/Sgt R.F. Burns
Left Waist Gunner: S/Sgt A. Yantzie
Right Waist Gunner: S/Sgt H.A. Brauer

31 recorded missions between 8th May and 13th August 1944.
No aircraft identified for any mission except the last, when they flew in 42-31891.
See HERE for the list.

"Dynamite John" arrived at Deenethorpe in May 44, but her recorded missions don't begin until August 11th. See HERE.

Hope that's of use,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

Rascal


6/6/2008 2:43:18 PM
Paul:
I appreciate the information, most helpful.

Thank you.

Rascal


laheyth


2/22/2011 11:43:37 AM
Ball Turret Gunne:r S/Sgt J.F. Brodie is a typo, it is acutally, John Bodle -- not J.F. "Brodie", but J. F. Bodle was ball turret gunner
The 401st book got my name wrong! after the war, I went to Notre Dame, grduated from law school and praticed law until late 1980s. Married and have 6 children, all much older than any of us were during WWII.


donaldbyers


2/22/2011 3:02:16 PM
I can most likley help in the ID of the aircraft and who is flying the mission as far as crew go. It will just take a little bit to update. Am glad you are now able to post.

Don

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
donaldbyers


2/22/2011 3:47:33 PM
The missing aircraft serial number on the July missions were flown in 43-37510 SC-T (http://www.401bg.org/History/crew.asp?cid=10691) no nickname known at this time. Mission 118 is missing right now and hope we will be able to get that one soon also. We have an on going Research Project (http://www.401bg.org/Historians_Corner/)for files from the NARA and a contractor doing the scanning of documents. Layhey is the Co-Pilot in these missions. I will also check on the name and make corrections as required.

Side Note: So far the name is spelled as shown in the Loading List and under the Crew of Kermit Opie. I will try some other documents and if found there I can't change the way it is shown on the web site.

Don

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
Paul Bellamy


2/22/2011 6:26:45 PM
First entry of the Mission 118 Loading Lists:



BTG: Bodle, John F. S Sgt. 612th.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

donaldbyers


2/22/2011 8:23:07 PM
Paul,

Was this Mission in your downloads? I want to make sure I didn't do something with it,,,, The name will stay as listed.

Don

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
Phoenix


2/23/2011 3:34:47 AM
Don,

I was having a look or trying to at the downloads you sent us last year.........ah hum 🤦 the disc I put them on has corrupted and I've lost the lot, any chance of a re-post ‽ 😢

improvise, adapt, overcome
Paul Bellamy


2/23/2011 8:12:06 AM
"donaldbyers":
Paul,
Was this Mission in your downloads?


Hi Don,

Yes, in "401stMissionReports" from back in November.

All the best,
Paul

Paul Bellamy

donaldbyers


2/23/2011 11:52:29 AM
Yeah I found it Paul, it some how became a subfolder of Mission Report 119, not sure how that happened!!

Don

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
donaldbyers


2/23/2011 11:54:39 AM
Dale, Paul has every download it would be easier to get them from him if possible. If that is not possible I will check with Rick and see if he can set it up.

Don

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
donaldbyers


2/23/2011 12:53:35 PM
Rascal,

Any chance you might have an idea on the possible name of 43-37510 that they flew a lot also?

Don

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
Phoenix


2/23/2011 1:00:51 PM
Ok Don I'll see Paul tomorrow night at the Historical Society meeting and see what he has to say.

Cheers buddy

improvise, adapt, overcome
Paul Bellamy


2/23/2011 8:35:22 PM
I'm working on putting the various files into their proper folders and removing the duplicate images, before converting them to pdf and burning them to CD.

Wish me luck? 😉

Paul

Paul Bellamy

laheyth


11/20/2011 11:53:33 AM
HI, I am Ed Lahey's son.
He was copilot with Opie, and I believe the plane Dynamite John was named after Kermit Opie's son.
Contact me as needed at


donaldbyers


11/21/2011 7:15:20 AM
The first aircraft of the "Opie" crew was 42-102398 and 8 Missions were flown.
The second aircraft of course was 43-37510 and 10 Missions were flown. They should have named their plane early. However, this was war time and any thing is possible.

Don

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
marcyf


4/23/2014 11:42:46 AM
My dad Gerald C. Fleetwood in his mission notes for #78 Sorau has pilot 2nd LT. Dale Spencer. "Dynamite John" Named our plane day before this mission.


donaldbyers


4/25/2014 2:29:26 PM
This is good to know Thanks...

Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
Modified on 2024/07/12 22:00 by SYSTEM Categorized as Uncategorized