| Posted By | Comments |
|---|
Michael DeVillires
7/14/2004 10:15:03 PM | I have been searching for information regarding my Grandfather (T/Sgt Mervin L. Roberts) for months now, but I wasn't having much luck. Thanks to this website and especially to Paul Campbell, the pieces finally came together. Through Mr. Campbell, I was able to find which crew my Grandfather entered the 615th Squadron in and also contact Merle Warner, who was one of the Waist Gunners on J.C. Neill's crew. He remembered my Grandfather and that he was not on the plane (Belle of the Barbary Coast) when they were shot down after falling out of formation due to mechanical failure on the Leipzig mission. As it turned out, my Grandfather was ill on that day and missed the mission. This is why he was not listed in J.C. Neill's crew and why he was listed in some of Paul Campbell's crews during the later part of the war. Mystery solved...
Now I'm searching for information or photos on J.C. Neill's crew and the Belle of the Barbary Coast. Merle Warner is sending me what he has, but any additional imput is welcome and greatly appreciated.
Thanks all!
|
Scott McElvain
7/14/2004 10:33:08 PM | Try the National Archives website and ask them for what they might have. Give them the Group, Squadron, Pilot's name, nickname of aircraft, etc.
|
Michael DeVillires
7/17/2004 12:27:50 AM | I usually have a hard time with the National Archives site. Partly because my computer is a piece of junk. I never seem to be able to find what I'm looking for.
I got some information from Merle Warner today in the mail. An 8x10 crew photo and some memoires of his becoming a part of the 615th Squadron as well as his time spent as a prisoner of war.
I also have a copy of the crew photo (2nd/Lt James C. Neill & crew in front of IY-P 42-37981 Belle of the Barbary Coast) saved to disc if anyone would like to see it. Just email me.
|