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Sunderlin Family
6/11/2010 3:11:58 PM | 
Name Corrections:
Crew Members:
- Pilot Positive ID
- 2nd Lt .William G. McKenny -(Bottom Row Left)
- Copilot
- 2nd Lt. Richard Burdick -(Bottom Row Center)
- Navigator/Cheek Gunner Positive ID
- 2nd Lt. Herbert R. Levin -(Bottom Row Right)
- Togglier/Chin Turret Gunner Positive ID
- Radio Operator/Radio Compartment Gun
- Sgt. John.W. O'Brien -(Top Row left)
- Flight Engineer/Top Turret
- Sgt. John.W. Holland -(Top Row 5th from left)
- Ball Turret Gunner Positive ID
- Sgt. Ira D. Franzblau -(Top Row 6th from left)
- Tail Gunner
- Sgt.Richard L.Johannes -(Top Row 3rd from left)
- Waist Gunner
- Sgt.Arnold A. Siegel -(Top Row 2nd from left)
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-I am going to leave the ranks alone for now.. The thing to Know is the picture is a Stateside
training picture and the ranks changed over time.
-I will be changing the image sizes to better fit the board today. Although they fit most screens I have no control over how they appear in all screens with The forums BBCode. It requires HTML. I have noticed that mobile browsers have a problem understanding how to render the images and keep them within the tables in the forum template... I am working on it Mr. Nasuda. 🙂
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The BIG question is...Does any one know which B-17 that is in the image? -Update:(Still unidentified)
Odds are its the only surviving photo of 44-8767 but how can we be sure? -Update:(This is not a photo of 44-8767)
Can it be tracked by the 7582 on the nose??? -Update:(Currently Unresolved)
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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donaldbyers
6/11/2010 8:05:33 PM | Can you send me a copy of this picture to my email address historian@401bg.org I also don't know who puts the numbers on the front of the aircraft. The serial number is the most promanent way to track aircraft. Any how I want to add this picture to the Crew Data page of the website since their is no crew picture for this crew.
Tks
Don Byers
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Sunderlin Family
6/12/2010 1:02:36 PM | "donaldbyers":
Can you send me a copy of this picture to my email address historian@401bg.org I also don't know who puts the numbers on the front of the aircraft. The serial number is the most promanent way to track aircraft. Any how I want to add this picture to the Crew Data page of the website since their is no crew picture for this crew.
Tks
Don Byers
I thought I had already sent you that image last night. You can right click on the above image and select "save as" and it will save to your computer if you like, or I can resend it if you can't find it in your email in box.
I understand that the serial number is the best way to track an aircraft. However, my intention was to identify which aircraft is in the image and put a serial number to it. I am tring to determine which one of those dozen or so aircrafts they flew is the one in the image. The only way I can think of is the numbers on the nose, unless of course there is some identifying feature that I am unaware of in that image. I leave that up to you experts. 
Process of elimination would help I think because it doesn't seam to have any nose art except for that "7582" Although it may have something identifiable jutting down between the 5 an the 8 I'm not sure. Is there a list of nose art images we can use as a reference?
Edit:
I resent that photo to your email address.
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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Paul Bellamy
6/12/2010 1:18:23 PM | The B-17G in the background is carrying a Stateside training number on the nose.
If it is a shortened version of the aircraft serial number then it could be B-17G-20-VE 42-97582.
The sign in front of the crew appears to read: 2xx CCTS (H) 2AAF.
The 2nd Air Force was responsible for combat crew training in the USA.
There were a number of Combat Crew Training Schools (CCTS) operated by numbered Base Units.
Unfortunately I can't read the number clearly, so here's the Heavy Bomber CCTSs in the 200-range and their locations:
215th: Pueblo Army Air Field, Colorado.
222nd: Ardmore Army Air Field, Oklahoma.
224th: Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa.
225th: Rapid City Army Air Base, S. Dakota.
236th: Pyote Army Air Field, Texas.
I'll see if anything else can be found.
All the best,
paul
Paul Bellamy
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win-win
6/12/2010 1:32:52 PM | Hi:
What a great photo (and your ability to indluce such a large one in your post...I'm way-jealous...)
Here's what I see:
- - The 'sign' in-front of the Crew has 'CCTS' (2nd word-group) - and that means 'Combat Crew Training School'; and
- - I've seen a lot of photos of training A/C 'wearing' block numbers like this (pictured B-17),
So I think this photo was probably taken during this Crew's state-side B-17 Crew training together (before going overseas).
Do you know when/where this Crew trained (state-side)?
I also noticed the Crew has 9-men (pictured). Presuming the whole Crew is pictured, knowing when and where they trained would help more:
- - The 401st started flying 9-man Crews (instead of 10-man Crews) about August 1944 +/-), but
- - I know during my Uncle's (replacement) B-17 Crew training (to June, 1944, at CCTS Rapid City, S.D.), Crews were still 10-men.
Great photo, and hope this is heelpful.
Win Bryson
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Sunderlin Family
6/12/2010 2:10:08 PM | I have some documentation of this crew doing training Just before August 1945.
By the way I have the serial numbers of every crew member.
I don't know however If I should post those or not. :shock:
In Robert Sunderlin's "Separation Qualification Record"
2 months as Pvt AAF Basic Training (521)
23 months S/Sgt AP Armorer-Gunner (612)
Lincoln Army Airfield
Lincoln 1, Nebraska
However there may be a discrepancy as to if he was in the 612 or 613 it seems.
Edit: Definitely the 613th.. The 612 was some number on a state side document.
It also says 27 combat missions yet I only see documentation of 25 on this site.
Edit: Bob Sunderlin was on 27 missions although he was also a spare in some of the missions. Confusion solved.
I found Robert Sunderlin's "Flexible Gunnery School" Diploma and it says that it was received July 29 1944 in "Las Vegas Army Air Field, Las Vegas Nevada"
Also Found "Air Force Technical School" "Airplane Armorers" Diploma Dated May 21st 1944
Also "Honorable Discharge" papers Dated Jan 20th 1945 and on that it says 612th also.
Air Medal with 3 bz OLC
Victory Medal
1 O/.S Bar
American Theater Ribbon
EAME Ribbon with 3 Bz Battle Stars
Good Conduct Medal
Robert(Bob) Sunderlin was 18 years and 6 months old at date of entry.
Note: The 9 man crew switch makes sense to me because there is one missing man "Mack Fisher"in The training documentation so he must have been reassigned.
I am really just getting started in all of this. Some where there is a picture of Deenthorp Airbase's entryway arch and sighn and the tower too I just have to dig it up.
Edit: Found the entryway arch. I put it HERE
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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win-win
6/12/2010 8:10:43 PM | Hi again:
1. Your training 'documentation' for him is very interesting, and you're off to a great start in establishing his training 'timeline' and 'sequence' (prior to joining the 401st). Good hunting. For my Family, 'letters home' helped a lot (if only for dates & return address info).
2. You've probably already seen Website listing for the McKenny Crew:
- - With 9-men (one Waist Gunner);
- - In the 613Sq, - 1st Mission Feb.22, 1945, and 25th mission, Apr.19,1945
Your Kin could have flown more missions (than the other McKenny Crewmen) simply because he got assigned to fly with other Crews as 'fill-in' a couple of times. That's common. The only way to find all his missions for-sure is from actual Mission 'Loading Lists' (during his tour). (As a 'sidelight' to 10-man / 9-man Crews, we know all 10 of my Uncle's 'Nelson Crew' arrived and were assigned the 613Sq, even though the 'Squadron History' lists only 9-men (one waist gunner was not listed). We also know the 6-Enlisted 'Nelson Crew' members were in the same barracks, and from Mission Report 'Loading Lists' we learned the 2-waist gunners 'traded-off' flying days and also flew with other Crews (to keep their missions-flown count current with those of the overall 'Nelson' Crew). That was common, also.
3. Regarding your Kin's training sequence:
- - His (Pvt) AAF Basic training was early-on,
- - His aerial gunnery training at Las Vegas ending July 29, 1944 may have been 'next';
- - Then he qualified and did the 23-month Armor-Gunner training (reaching S/Sgt.);
- - Then assignment to a Crew and off to a 'Combat Crew Training School' (about 10-weeks); then ship-out to England.
I don't know if Lincoln Neb. had a CCTS, but 'Googling' may answer what (training) it did have (and if you can read the sign in the photo, as Paul Bellamy outlined, you may be able to confirm where his CCTS was).
(It seems ETTs were really sharp guys, and have more training (in months) than other (enlisted Crewmen, even Radiomen). So by the time they are assigned to a Crew at the 'CCTS', ETTs have more time-in and 'stripes'. Don't know that for a fact, but from the ETTs I've looked-at, seems so).
Good luck on your search.
Win Bryson
PS: I don't think posting the Crew's service numbers 'helps', per-se. Just my opinion.
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win-win
6/12/2010 8:18:31 PM | Hi again:
Heres a ...wait a minute...Wow, A B-17 just flew by...
Anyway, here's a quick 'Google' of 'U.S. Army Air Force, Lincoln Neb'. to look-at to get you started:
http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/ ... _field.htm
http://www.lincolnafb.org/
http://www.techbastard.com/afb/ne/lincoln.php
Win
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Sunderlin Family
6/13/2010 6:34:35 PM | This is the aircraft flown by this crew in their first mission.
Serial Number: 43-38458 - Bottle Baby
Mission: Ottingen
They flew this one was on Robert Sunderlin's 26th mission Wednesday, 18 April 1945
Serial Number: 42-31730 - Morning Sar
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Sunderlin Family
6/25/2010 2:41:34 PM | I found this poem hand written in Bob's notebook. I looked it up on the internet and only found little bits and pieces of it seemingly redirected and shortened to 4 lines or so. It looks like he might have written it himself and bits and pieces of it got to other bases. But here is the entire poem as is written in Bob's notebook.
 
She was a honey, she was the best.
That night I put her to the test.
She looked so pretty, so sweet, so slim.
The night was dark, the moon was dim.
I was so excited, my heart missed a beat.
For I knew i was in for a helluva treat.
I've seen her stripped, I've seen her bare.
I've felt her over everywhere.
I got inside her, she screamed with joy.
That was her first night, boy oh boy.
I got up quickly, quickly as I could.
I handled her gently, I knew she would.
I rolled her over, and on her side.
Then on her back, I also tried.
She was just one high thrill.
The best in the land.
That B-17 of the Bomber Command.
...
I just thought you might enjoy that.
I did.
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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donaldbyers
6/25/2010 6:27:43 PM | Lt. J.N. Shepard flew Bottle Baby as his aircraft during 44-45 /History/crew.asp?cid=11711
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Sunderlin Family
6/26/2010 4:11:48 PM | Yes it was that crews main aircraft. However I was referring to:
Mission Number: 213
Date: Friday, 23 February 1945
http://401bg.com/history/mission_sum.asp?mid=213
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
donaldbyers
6/26/2010 6:07:13 PM | Yes I know I was just adding it for reference Thanks
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Sunderlin Family
4/9/2013 8:41:20 PM | I now have pieced together the whole thing. 🙂
It took me a while to find everything but I think you are going to really like what I found.
First lets talk about the main aircraft that this crew was using.
#44-8767
This was named by the McKenny crew on March 28th 1945 during a flight over Berlin.
It was the newest ship on the field with only 5 or so battle flights on it that I could find at the time.
Bob Sunderlin's private flight log reads as follows:
March 28
"17th mission. Bombed Big B. 9hrs 5 min. Dropped 6-500 lb GP's and 4-500 lb.Inc. in train 150 ft apart at 210 M.P.H. from 27,500 ft.
Flack was very heavy and accurate were hit a few times.
Named our ship Southern Comfort today. no.767. Newest ship on the field."
McKenny and his crew went into battle with this aircraft 12 times that I know of.
This is "Southern Comfort"
Photo by Bob Sunderlin
I have Bob's entire flight log of 27 missions.
Thanks to win-win You were correct in your evaluation that the crew picture was taken stateside.
The name Mac I was referring to as a possible missing crew member might be a nick name for Mckenny. Their are references to "Mac" in Bobs flight logs so that clarifies things a little bit too.
This image is from Bob Sunderlin's scrap book, and yes that is Bob Sunderlin.
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Sunderlin Family
4/10/2013 12:14:07 PM | I have the entire Personal flight log copied to .pdf format but I can't seam to upload it. So I will attempt to transcribe it in my next post instead. A few parts have very little to do with missions but due to preserving historical accuracy I will attempt to transcribe the entire log with help from someone that is familiar with his handwriting. I will probably be editing it for the next few days as family members look it over for errors.
For technical jargon and proper spelling of German or French Cities ect I will turn to the historians on this board for guidance and clarity.
Admin:
Feel free to correct spelling ect in the post freely. All I ask is you don't change the actual content.
(Not that you would anyway... 😃 )
Thanks
External link to pdf file of mission log:
http://forumnut.net/RobertSunderlin/401stHB/Robert.Arthur.Sunderlin.613th.pdf
This is a large file so it may download slowly.
Mission Log
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Sunderlin Family
4/10/2013 12:16:33 PM | Here it comes!
Jan 3rd 1945
Left Lincoln Neb. Arrived at Grenier Feild. (5hr. 23min.)
Jan 20th 1945
Left Grenier Field after 17 days of rest and fun. Arrived at Gander, Newfoundland 5 hours later, went to a show in the evening. (snowed.)
Jan 21th 1945
Laid around all day and looked over the place. (snowed.)
Jan 22nd 1945
Guarded Plane in the morning and fooled around the rest of the day. Spent the evening at the Red Cross N.C.O. Club and Cafe. (Snowed again)
Jan 23rd 1945
Snowed in the afternoon and rained all evening, went to the show. Cigarettes are hard to get and almost everyone in the crew is broke.
Jan 24th 1945
Warm out here today. Ran up plane engines and put on engine and wing covers. Spent evening at the N.C.O. Club playing pool.
Jan 25th 1945
Nothing doing out here today. Snowing again with a strong wind.
Jan 26th 1945
Ran up plane engines and put on covers. Drank beer and played pool at the N.C.O Club. Met Walter Boneski.
Jan 27th 1945
Went skiing today and sprained my knee. Snowed again. Drank beer and swichy at NCO club, also played pool.
Jan 28th 1945
Went to church with Holland. Snowing again. Went on sick call and had my knee fixed up.
Jan 30th 1945
Warmed up engines and put on covers. Snowing again.
Feb 1st 1945
Got a $10 part payment today. Snowing again.
Feb 3rd 1945
Read a few books at the Red Cross this afternoon. Are having a blizzard out here.
Feb 4th 1945
Gave plane 25hr rings today -Will probably leave Gander tonight-
Feb 5th 1945
Left Gander last night in a blizzard. Arrived at Valley Field, Wales 10 hrs. 15 min. later. Trip was very tiresome but northern lights were very beautiful. Flew at 13,000ft all the way and ran into rain and snow near England. Were lost for a couple hr. Had a long sleep but bed was ?damp? and cold.
Feb 6th 1945
This field is the worst one I've been on so far. Left there at 1P.M. and had a good look at the country. Raining all day. Arrived at Stone Replacement Center about 5:45 P.M. The buildings out here are pretty nice. And there are 4 men to a room. It used to be sort of a boarding house for women. Looks like a College Campus.
Feb 8th 1945
This place is called Howard Hall. Went to Hanley tonight. Had a swell time. Plenty of women for everyone and they are wild as hell.
Feb 10th 1945
Left Stone around 8 a.m. Arrived at Kettering about 12 noon. Field looks ok. Am in 613th Sq. Mess hall too far away. But the best mess hall I have ever seen. and the food is good.
Feb 16th 1945
Met Ann last night at the Aero Club and went to see her tonight, went to a show.
Feb 22nd 1945
Flew to the coast as spare today were up 3 hrs. 45 min. Made Sgt. Have been making a few trips to Corby.
Feb 23rd 1945
Flew on first mission today.
Carried 12-500 lb. G.P. bombs. Dropped in salvo. Bombed Ottingen. Heavy overcast on return and were forced to land at Tuddenham. Flew 10 hr. 10 min. at 13,000 ft. Had a swell time at Tuddenham but were almost out of cigarettes and no money.
Feb 24th 1945
Flew back to our base in 30 min.
Feb 25th 1945
Got a 48 hr. pass today. Stayed at Ann's place. Her sister Margret is even prettier than she is and got a shape like Betty Grable.
Feb 27th 1945
Came back to camp from a 48 hr. pass. Got a 6 hr. pass and went back to Corby.
Feb 28th 1945
Second mission today.
Bombed Soest. 7 hr. 25 min. Bombed from 25000 ft. Had 18-250 lb. G.P. and 2-500 lb.Inc. bombs. Dropped in train 30 ft. apart at 201 M.P.H.
Mar 1st 1945
Third mission.
Bombed Heilbron. 9 hr. 30 min. Bombed from 20000 ft. 8-500 lb. G.P.'s and 4-500 lb Inc. Dropped in train 80 ft. apart at 155 M.P.H.
Mar 3rd 1945
Fourth mission.
Bombed Chemnitz. 10 hr. Bombed from 27000 ft. had 10-500 lb.G.P. Had to kick out bombs and crank the bomb bay doors open and shut. Ran into quite a bit of flak.
Mar 4th 1945
Fifth mission.
Bombed Schwabmunchen. 9 hr. Dropped 6-500 lb.G.P.'s and 4-500 lb.Inc. in train 100 ft apart at 125 M.P.H. from 24000 ft. Got in a little trouble with Col. concerning our 4th mission.
Mar 7th 1945
Sixth mission.
Bombed Siegen. Dropped 12-500 lb. G.P.'s 50 ft. apart at 235 miles per hour from 24000 ft. Were up 6 hr. Flak was light but we had a big hole in the left wing.
Mar 8th 1945
Seventh mission.
Bombed Essen. 6hr. 45 min. Dropped 12-500 lb. G.P.'s and 2-100 lb Inc. in train 75 ft. apart at 290 M.P.H. from 25000 ft. Flak was heavy.
Mar 9th 1945
Got another 48 hr. pass. Spent it in Corby.
Mar 12th 1945
Eight mission.
Bombed Swinemunde. 8 hr. 30 min. Dropped 5-1000 lb G.P.'s in train. 15 ft. apart at 260 M.P.H. from 22000 ft. Just a bit of flak.
Mar 14th 1945
Ninth mission.
Bombed Lohne. 7hr. 10 min. Dropped 34-100 lb. G.P.s and 2-500 lb.Inc. in train 13 ft. apart at 190 M.P.H. from 22700 ft.
Mar 15th 1945
Tenth mission.
Bombed Zossen. 8 hr. 26 min. Dropped 6-500 lb. G.P.'s and 4-500 lb. Inc. in train 140 ft. apart at 240 M.P.H. from 23000 ft.
Mar 17th 1945
Eleventh mission.
Bombed Morbus. 10 hr. Salvoed 12-500 lb G.P.s from 27,500 ft. Flak was very heavy. Ran out of gas and had to land at Lavenham. Gassed up and came back to our own base.
Mar 18th 1945
Twelfth mission.
Bombed Berlin. 8 hr. 30 min. Dropped 8-500 lb.Inc. and 12-100 lb G.P. in train 100 ft. apart at 240 M.P.H. from 27,500 ft. Flak was very heavy and accurate and we had a few holes.Were also hit by 5-M.E.262 jet planes. The plane that got us came in from 2 o'clock high. He put a very big hole in our right wing and I thought we were done for. But Mac brought us back ok. We had a very exciting time and we were all scared as hell. A lot of pictures were taken of the plane and us after we landed.
Mar 19th 1945
Thirteenth mission.
Bombed Plauen. 11 hr. Salvoed 10-500 lb. G.P.s from 26000 ft. Ran out of gas and landed at a P47 base in Belgium named Le Culot. Spent the night in Brussels and had a hell of a good time and lots of beer. Also brought some back with us.
Mar 22nd 1945
Fourteenth mission.
Bombed Barmingholten. 5 hr. 30 min. Dropped in Min. Train from 25000 ft. 34-100 lb. G.Ps. Lots of Flak.
Mar 23rd 1945
Fifteenth mission.
Bombed Gladbeck. 6 hr. 45 min. Salvoed 38-100 lb. G.P.s. from 26200 ft. Flak was very heavy and accurate and knocked out the left waist oxygen system.
Mar 24th 1945
Sixteenth mission.
Bombed Enschede. 6hr. Dropped 12-500 lb G.P. in train. 50 ft. apart at 206 M.P.H. from 25000 ft. Flak was meagre but very accurate.
Dropped 83,500 lbs of bombs up to date.
Mar 25th 1945
Started on another mission today but it was scrubbed. Were up 2 hr. 15 min.
Mar 28th 1945
Seventeenth mission.
Bombed Big B. 9 hr. 5 min. Dropped 6-500 lb.G.P.s and 4-500 lb.Inc. in train 140 ft. apart at 210 M.P.H. from 27,500 ft. Flak was very heavy and accurate, were hit a few times. Named our Ship Southern Comfort today. No.767, newest ship on the field.
Apr 2nd 1945
Come back from a 3 day pass. Were supposed to bomb an airfield in Collard but the mission was scrubbed after we got ?ok? for ?us? the J.P. Were up 6 hr, 15 min.
Apr 4th 1945
Eighteenth mission.
Bombed Rotenburg. 8 hr. 15 min. Salvoed 8-250 lb. G.P.s and 8-500 lb. Inc. from 15000 ft.
Apr 5th 1945
Nineteenth mission.
Bombed Ingolstadt. 10 hr. Dropped 4-100 lb. G.P.s and 3-500lb. Inc. in train 200 feet apart at 140 M.P.H. from 14600 ft. Flak was heavy and we were hit by jets again. Watched 2-51s knock down a jet. Flew with Lt May.
Apr 7th 1945
Flew with Lt. Kerkes as spare were up 5 hr.
Apr 8th 1945
Twentieth Mission.
Bombed Halberstadt. 6 hr. 30 min. Dropped 6-500 lb. G.Ps and 4-500 Inc. in train 140 ft. apart at 176 M.P.H. from 19,500 ft.
Apr 9th 1945
Twentyfirst Mission.
Bombed Furstenfeldbruck. 9hr. Dropped 6-500 lb. G.P.s and 4-500 lb. Inc. in train 140 ft. apart at 180 M.P.H. from 25000 ft. Flew with Lt. Kerkes. Flak was light but accurate.
Apr 11th 1945
Twentysecond Mission.
Bombed Munich. 9 hr. salvoed 10-500 lb. G.P bombs from 25,000 ft. Plenty of flak.
Apr 14th 1945
Twentythird Mission.
Bombed La Vardon, France 8hr. 45 min. Salvoed 12-500 lb. G.P.s from 18,500 ft.
Apr 16th 1945
Twentyfourth Mission.
Bombed Regenburg. 8hr.45 min. Salvoed 6-1000 G.P.s from 24,000 ft. Flak was very accurate.
Apr 17th 1945
Twentyfifth Mission.
Bombed Dresden. 9 hr. 30 min. Dropped 12-250 lb. G.P.s and 4-500 lb. Inc. in train 30 ft. apart at 200 M.P.H. from 21,600 ft. Some flak.
Apr 18th 1945
Twentysixth Mission.
Bombed Freising. 10 hr. Dropped 18-250 lb. G.P.s in train 10 ft apart at 200 M.P.H. from 18,200 ft. Some Flak.
Apr 19th 1945
Twenty seventh Mission.
Bombed Falkenburg. 8 hrs. Dropped 5-1000 lb. G.P.s in train 20 ft. apart at 270 M.P.H. from 24,500 ft.
141,500 lbs of bombs up to date.
215 hrs of Combat flying.
Apr 30th 1945
Practice mission. 4 hr. 15 min.
Jun 3rd 1945
Laid around and spent a lot of time in town since the end of the war. Wish this lazy life would keep up. Hear a lot of rumors about going home and I hope I get back to the States pretty soon.
Jun 11th 1945
Left Kettering at 2 P.M. today and arrived at Chorley around 8 P.M. Not such a good place but will have to do till I can get a boat or plane home. This place is almost like Stone. Am in Bks 11. Room 13.
Edit: Found additional daily logs on Red Cross Stationary. From this point down.
Jul 19th 1945
left Washington Hall in the afternoon and arrived at Burtonwood in the evening. Went by truck.
Am at site 3. Block I #10. Went to Warrington this evening.
Jul 20th 1945
Went to Bolton this evening and seen Joan.
Jul 21st 1945
Was in Bolton all day with Joan.
She came back to Warrington with me.
Jul 22nd 1945
Went to Warrington.
Jul 23rd 1945
Left Burtonwood at 9:10 AM.
Arrived at Valley 9:50 AM. F.T. 40 min.
We have an interned ship no. 8602
Left Valley at 5:40 PM
Jul 24th 1945
Arrived at Meeks field, Iceland at 1:30 AM. (7hr. 50 min.)
Jul 25th 1945
Am at Camp Massey Bks.193.
Went fishing.
Jul 26th 1945
Seen 2 movies.
Jul 27th 1945
Seen 2 movies.
Jul 28th 1945
Seen 1 movie. Rained.
Jul 29th 1945
Seen 1 movie. Rained.
Jul 30th 1945
Seen 2 movies. Rained.
Played Black Jack all evening.
Jul 31st 1945
Got up at 6:30, briefing at 8AM.
Left Iceland at 9:40AM, arrived at Goose
Bay, Labrador at 7:55 PM. (10 hr. 15 min.)
Aug 1st 1945
Left Goose Bay , Labrador at 7:05, arrived
at Dow Field, Bangor Maine at 10:50. (3hr. 45min.)
Aug 2nd 1945
Left Dow Field at 10:45 AM. Arrived at Bradley field at 12:30.(1hr. 45 min.)
Aug 3nd 1945
Left Bradely field, Conn at 8AM.
Arrived at Camp Myles Standish, Mass at 12 noon. Went by train an in Sq 7
*END*
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Sunderlin Family
4/10/2013 7:54:37 PM | Battle Damage on Southern Comfort
March 18th 1945 an me-262 almost took out Southern Comfort (# 44-8767)
In Bobs flight log he noted that they took lots of pictures..
Here's one of them with McKenny showing the battle damage to photographers.
This photo is actually dated the day after the flight it seams. But if you notice Southern Comfort was not flying the next mission because it was in for repair.
McKenny and the crew flew a mission the next day in Satan's Chillen, They didn't get Southern Comfort back until the 22nd.
Southern Comfort was just a new plane with a number on the side until March 28..
Gee I wonder what inspired that name?....LOL
My understanding is that somewhere there are a whole lot more pictures of this plane because Bobs Mar 18th 1945 notes described it as if photographers were all over it.
"A lot of pictures were taken of the plane and us after we landed."
Somewhere it seams there are pictures of the rest of the crew with the battle damaged ship...Keep your eyes open! If you find any send them to me and I will put them in this post! 😃
Here's another one from Bobs photo Album:
Bob Sunderlin is on the left pulling on the damaged right wing tip.
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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donaldbyers
4/10/2013 9:15:07 PM | Can only guess that they didn't document what the photos were of and therfore may be in our collection only identified with the NARA # on them as the above photo is. I have reupdated the information on this aircraft and crew in the database. We "should" have all the photos with the NARA# appearing on them.
Don Byers
Group Historian
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Sunderlin Family
4/11/2013 3:49:55 PM | Click on images to enlarge.
If you know what they are,or what they meant to the men,...Please.. post! A complete explanation would be even better. 🙂
FIRST ROW
*The first 2 are front and back and seam to be telling everyone where they are going..Yes?/No?
Does it have a name? There is a lot of information about the other men that may be useful on that document too.
*The second 2 are front and back of a redistribution forum of some sort documenting cost of meals ect.
Please tell me anything you know about this. document.
SECOND ROW
*First 2 Images Selective Service Notice Of Classification.
*The Second 2 images are Selective Service Registration Certificate.
Notice:
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Documents Continued 2 posts below...
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"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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Paul Bellamy
4/11/2013 5:25:54 PM | The first form is the primary trade training course graduates list with the individuals' grades.
This course was for Airplane Armorers, on graduation they gained the MOS of 911 (Airplane Armorer)
AIRPLANE ARMORER (911)
Performs first and second echelon maintenance on all armament within the unit and loads bombs and ammunition in aircraft.
Periodically examines aerial machine guns and other aircraft armament and equipment such as aerial cannon, bomb racks, bomb release mechanisms, gun mounts, gun turrets, and pyrotechnics for cleanliness and proper functioning. Installs armament and equipment and checks their completeness prior to missions. Removes and replaces aircraft armament to be serviced or repaired.
Removes and replaces bomb sights. Inspects, disassembles, cleans, repairs, assembles, and makes parts replacements to such weapons as .50-caliber machine guns, 30 caliber machine guns, 37—mm cannon, rifles, carbines, and pistols.
Uses combination tool, wrenches, screw drivers, micrometers, depth gauges, and other hand or bench tools in making these repairs. Loads bombs on bomb racks of aircraft prior to missions.
Must be familiar with armament inspection and maintenance procedures, and with safety regulations in handling transporting and loading bombs and other ammunition. Must be familiar with safety regulations pertaining to chemical warfare.
The second form dates from the Group's return to the USA in summer 1945, and gives details of personnel being given a 30-day R&R posting prior to being assigned to new units.
Robert Sunderlin had been promoted to Staff Sergeant by this time, and had gained a new MOS, in this case 612 (Airplane Armourer-Gunner).
AIRPLANE ARMORER-GUNNER (612)
Inspects, repairs, and maintains all aircraft armament, including bomb release mechanism, airplane cannons, machine guns, auxiliary equipment, and may repair other weapons.
Makes daily inspections and running repairs to equipment, such as bomb racks, bomb release mechanisms, aerial gun sights, flare racks, flare rack controls, and chemical carrying release mechanisms.
Installs armament equipment on airplanes. Fuzes and places bombs in bomb racks; disassembles guns and inspects them for worn, broken, or defective parts. Makes necessary replacements or repairs and reassembles weapons after thoroughly cleaning and oiling their working parts. Mans a machine gun position if combat occurs during flight.
Paul Bellamy
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Sunderlin Family
4/11/2013 6:36:48 PM | Due to a URL limitation on the board I am continuing the Documents here.
Click on images to enlarge.
ROW ONE
*General Order 308 Oak Leaf Clusters
*General Order 345 Oak Leaf Clusters
*General Order 224 Air Medal
*General Order 268 Oak Leaf Clusters
ROW TWO
*Dog Tags
*American Campaign Metal Ribbon (thanks Paul!)
*Air Gunner wings
*Sharpshooter badge with Carbine clasp
*Mechanics wings
That's all the Documents I have found to date. I am sure there is more in coming boxes though.
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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Paul Bellamy
4/11/2013 9:18:26 PM | The ribbon is for the American Campaign Medal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Campaign_Medal
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
4/12/2013 11:50:15 AM | Great job Paul thanks for posting..
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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donaldbyers
4/12/2013 12:00:33 PM | We named it Southern Comfort because our final training was in Dyersberg, TN and the nearest city for our time off base was Memphis, TN. At that time the popular drink was Southern Comfort hence the naming when we picked up the plane in Omaha to fly it to England.
Herb Levin on the naming of Souther Comfort, he is the one "Pointing" at the hole only not with the index finger!!!!
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Paul Bellamy
4/12/2013 12:04:40 PM | Interesting to see that in that photo most of them are wearing the late-late-WWII B-15 flight jackets.
In the previous photo McKenny is wearing a B-10 jacket.
Paul Bellamy
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Sunderlin Family
4/12/2013 12:28:04 PM | "Paul Bellamy":
Interesting to see that in that photo most of them are wearing the late-late-WWII B-15 flight jackets.
In the previous photo McKenny is wearing a B-10 jacket.
That's an interesting observation. A favorite jacket perhaps from earlier in the war maybe? Might be a career man.
I have not had much luck online trying to find his service record...
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Sunderlin Family
4/12/2013 3:26:17 PM | Click on images to enlarge.
Entrance to 613th:
Airfield:
Entrance to 613th:
*(Image 1 Row 1) This is the road up to the entrance of the 613th Squadron Baracks. You can see the entryway arch in the background if you look closely.
*(Image 2 Row 1) This is the entryway arch. This probably have a technical jargon name. If some one knows what its called I will post it here.
__________________________
Airfield:
*(Image 1 Row 2) This is a picture down the runway with planes lined up on either side.( Good way to loos a bunch of aircraft at once I would think..but I'm not an expert so.. it may just look worse then it really is.) The picture is kind of fuzzy but if you click on it the larger image lets you see more.
*(Image 2 Row 2) This is pretty much the same as the first but darker..It may have been taken in the dawn hours or something.
*(Image 2 Row 2) This one may or may not be the the Deenthorp airfield. It was in the box with the others but not labeled. Since I don't know the layout of the field yet I have nothing to compare it to. perhaps you guys have a picture of the layout somewhere to make the comparison?
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
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Sunderlin Family
4/12/2013 3:32:17 PM | Click on images to enlarge.
Crew Members:
Crew Members
*(Image 1 ) Robert A. Sunderlin
*(Image 2 ) I think the one on the left is Holland but I can't be sure. Any Ideas?
*(Image 3 ) This is the same image as #4 but smaller and not as clear.
*(Image 4 ) Help fill in this blank.***
*(Image 5 ) Can't tell.. Perhaps we can come up with something from what hes wearing or his position in the plane?
*(Image 6 ) Is this Holland again?
*(Image 7 ) 48602 Is the tail number..is that McKenny again? I am not sure..
*(Image 8 ) I think that is Franzelau & Lt. McKenny but it's so dark its hard to be sure.
We need some face recognition software here...
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Sunderlin Family
4/12/2013 3:36:39 PM | Click on images to enlarge.
Unidentified Aircraft
Tail Numbers
Unidentified Aircraft
*(Image 1 Row 1)Here is some nose art I can't make out...
*(Image 2 Row 1) This one has Swastika's and Bombs tallies painted on the side. Is it Southern Comfort? I can't tell..
Tail Numbers
*(Image 1 Row 1) Stateside training plane DY 34?
*(Image 2 Row 1) Stateside training plane DY 343
*(Image 2 Row 1) Stateside training plane DY 343
*(Image 2 Row 1) Stateside training plane DY 175
*(Image 2 Row 1) Stateside training plane DY 375
(Thanks to Paul for Identifying these 5 planes.)
That's the end of that box of pictures.
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Sunderlin Family
4/12/2013 4:24:17 PM | Any comments or help with identifying the people or planes ect is welcomed!
Click on Images to Enlarge
*(Image 1 Row 1)March 14th 1945 Dropping Bombs over Lohne, Germany. Southern Comfort is the b-17 marked "IN W" with the small X over it. Bob Sunderlin toggled the bombs you see coming out of the bomb bay.(This is a very large detailed Image, it will be a little slower loading. But it's worth it.) Can you spot other planes and crew here from the 401st?
IN-M (9125), IN-A (8658), IN-W (8767 Southern Comfort), IN-B (6132)
*(Image 2 Row 1)April 19th 1945 Falkenburg mission
*(Image 2 Row 1)April 19th 1945 Falkenburg mission
*(Image 3 Row 1)Dow Field, Bangor Maine
*(Image 4 Row 1)Meeks Field, Iceland
Curious as to what kind of view Bob had from his position as Chin Gunner/Togglier?
Chin Gunner Video
"Gunners Prayer"
Dear lord please,
Distribute the flak as the pay,
May the officers get the most.
|
Paul Bellamy
4/12/2013 7:06:38 PM | You have a good mix of images there, I'll have to dedicate a few hours to looking at them properly to give you accurate info.
The B-17s with the DY etc. tail letters are Stateside training planes, as are those with the big numbers painted on the side of the noses.
48602 (44-8602) was assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group at Deopham Green, so that sequence of photos may well have been taken during a stopover on the transatlantic ferry flight.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
10/19/2013 12:58:53 PM | Did every crew have a training picture like the one above and if so ...how would you find it?
Jackie
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donaldbyers
10/31/2013 8:27:34 AM | Hey Jackie, my uncles crew didn't have one or at least I haven't found it yet. Win is the one that has been most able to answer that question as he has done a lot of it.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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