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361st FG |
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News
Latest happenings from the association & related topics Last Updated May 2010 |
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361st FG |
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News
Latest happenings from the association & related topics Last Updated May 2010 |
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Over 25 people attended the event which raised significant funds and awareness for the new museum at Bottisham. The day started with a preview of the museum building & its contents and a talk by Dr Howard Tuck on Operation Bolero/the buildup of the 8th AF.
We then proceeded on a tour of the airfield led by Steve Gotts, author of "Little Friends." Military vehicles and private cars were used to ferry the group from place to place.
One of the highlights of the tour was to have an actual eyewitness account of the mid-air collision which took place over the field on August 18th 1944 between a 78th FG P-47 and a 361st FG P-51. Peter Dawson was only a young boy when he witnessed the collision but was kind enough to recount his vivid memories to the group near the site of the collision.
The tour ended in the village with a site not seen in Bottisham high street for over 60 years.
Bottisham Airfield Museum Group would like to thank all those who helped on the day and all those who made generous donations.
Jason Webb Trip to Boisleux au Mont/ Arras Ever since my involvement with the group began back in 1995 it has always been my intention to visit the last resting place of the group leader, Colonel Thomas Christian. Col. Christian came down and was lost on August 12th 1944.
For many years I have corresponded with French historian Laurent Wiart, who has tirelessly researched all allied losses near Arras, especially that of Col. Christian. As my best friend owns a house in Hesdin, only an hour from Arras the opportunity presented itself to finally accept one of Laurent's kind invitations to visit. My friend, Russell Hammond and I met Laurent at the library at Arras and Laurent was kind enough to take us first to the crash site of Col. Christian's P-51 "Lou IV/Athlene" in the village of Boisleux au Mont.
Laurent has researched the crash and has several eye witnesses who saw Col. Christian attack the marshalling yards at Boisleux au Mont. One of the wings of his P-51 was seen to come off prior to the impact with the ground.
We then moved to the church where there is a beautiful memorial to Col. Christian.
After which we drove to the WW1 cemetery at Arras, Colonel Christian's last resting place. Due to bureaucratic errors Col. Christian's grave was unable to be verified and the 361st FG Association provided a marker stone dedicated "in tribute to our loyal leader beloved hero who gave his life for freedom's cause."
Laurent has done much research into Col. Christian's burial and believes his final resting place lies under a un-marked grave in the cemetery.
Many thanks to Laurent Wiart for giving up his time so generously and answering all our questions. Merci Laurent!
Jason Webb
Bottisham Airfield "Then and Now" Airfield Walk Bottisham Airfield Museum Group are putting together a fundraising event to help with much needed funds for the new museum. Details as follows: - Bottisham Airfield "Then & Now 361st FG" Airfield Walk Sunday 25th April 2010 - Starting 11am
Minimum donation 10 pounds - all proceeds to the new Bottisham Airfield Museum. Contact Jason Webb at:- If you are planning to come please let us know in advance as we need to allow for catering etc.
Jason Webb Bottisham Airfield Museum Group Bottisham Airfield Museum Group was recently formed at a meeting of Dr Howard Tuck, Steve Gotts and myself with a view to driving forward the museum project at Bottisham.
We are indebted to the support of our landlords at Crystal Structures without whom the project would not get off the ground. Progress on the building has been fast with the interior now clear and ready for some tidying up prior to decoration - with a survey of the electrics and the roof paramount in our minds. Our first priority has been to get the exterior right before the worst of the British winter sets in. The trees and branches have now been removed, the walls have been pressure washed and the windows, doors and door frames are being stripped of paint. The rendering is being patched in preparation for exterior painting. Meanwhile we have also been working on exhibits. Steve Gotts & Howard Tuck have pledged a significant amount of items. But we have also been offered other items such as the fragments from the P-47/P-51 collision over the airfield in 1944, a significant collection of Home Guard items and a number of relics and murals that were saved from parts of the base prior to demolition. At present we hope to open in spring 2010. We received some donations of financial support at the recent 361st FG reunion but significant funds still need to be found to make the project a reality. We are particularly searching for display cabinets to house exhibits or the funds to buy them. We are also still searching for additional exhibits and would welcome donations of photographs, flight gear, uniforms and memorabilia. We are currently planning a fund raising event, hopefully based around an airfield tour for the new year. Thanks must also go to the following for their support so far: -
Peter Dyer
Jason Webb New Museum at Bottisham - Help! Advanced negotiations are under way for a museum in one of the remaining original airfield buildings in Bottisham Village.
The museum will be predominantly be focused on the 361st Fighter Group but will also commemorate the RAF presence at Bottisham. Work has already begun on clearing the site with much work needed to get the site to a display standard. To make the museum a reality WE NEED YOUR HELP! Help will be needed with: - 1. donations to pay for the refurbishment work, display cases, security system, exhibits etc 2. the refurbishment work so if you can help us with painting, electrics etc please contact us 3. exhibits - we are on the look out for 361st FG memorabilia, photos, documents, uniforms, aircraft parts etc If you think you can help with any of the above please get in touch at jasonwebb361@btinternet.com
Jason Webb
The President's Corner Howdy! As I write this edition's President's Corner, we are just two months away from gathering for the 2009 reunion in Charleston, SC. Seems hard to believe that an entire year has nearly passed since our last gathering. I am realizing the truth in the old adage of "once you are over the hill, you pick up speed." This year's reunion promises to be a great event. Our venue, Charleston, is a truly special place full of beautiful buildings, old plantations, museums and great places to dine. Whether strolling down the battery, or around the grounds of Magnolia Gardens or Boone Hall, or browsing through the Old Market, you will feel the serenity and grace of this fascinating old south city. And for those who can still hear the echoes of history, you can stand on the battery and look out on the walls of Fort Sumter and imagine the fierce cannonade of April 12, 1861 that ushered in the bitterest and bloodiest war in our history, the American Civil War. Federal troops surrendered after 34 hours of shelling by Confederate forces under the command of General Beauregard. Union army and navy forces would spend the next four years trying to retake it. The first successful submarine attack occurred in Charleston harbor in 1864 when the CSS Huntley torpedoed and sank the Union sloop of war USS Housatonic. At nearby Patriot's Point, the USS Clamagore provides an example of how far submarines had progressed by 1945. A little farther up the Cooper River, the US Navy based two nuclear powered submarine squadrons for nearly 50 years. One of those boats was the USS Tecumseh (I had four years of service on her). And still further up the Cooper River, the Naval Weapons Station still the deadly weapons used by today's submarines including sea launched ballistic missiles. As I wrap up this edition, it is 61 days from the 2009 361st Fighter Group reunion. Ginny and I are looking forward to once again renewing friendships and catching up on the past both long ago and of this most recent year. The Francis Marion Hotel will be a great venue, and we do have music planned for the banquet, so bring your dancing shoes. If you haven't already made your reservations, now would be a good time to do so. The deadline for the group hotel rate is August 14. Which reminds me, I have to make our reservations. Looking forward to seeing you all. Cheers!
Bill Street, President
From
The Editor's Desk It is hard to believe that it was 65 years ago this month, August 14, 1944, that the 361st Fighter Group lost its leader, Col. Thomas J J. Christian, Jr. Lost on the same day was 1Lt. Clarence E. Zieske. Also lost during that month were 2 Lt. Sherman Armsby, 2 Lt. Harry G. Bosyk, 2 Lt. Jack S. Crandall, 2 Lt. Milton A Dahl, 2 Lt. Donald D. Dellinger, and 2 Lt. Joseph V. Kapr. As we remember them, as well as all departed members of the 361st Group lost serving their country, we recall the words of the Reverend Peter Nokes, Vicar of St. Peter Mancroft, who spoke at an Armistice Day remembrance last year at Norwich, UK, attended by 2AD Heritage-League members, "They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them." A late filed item which I am more that happy to pass along comes from Associate Member Bill Spence and his wife Carol. On July 1st they became grandparents again when their daughter Sarah Lynne presented the family with Miley Rae Bigo on July 1st. She weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz., and her older sister Mikala is handling everything well. Our congratulations to the happy family. Honorary Member Ken King of Swaffam Bulbeck laid the 361st Memorial Wreath at the impressive annual Memorial Day ceremonies at the American Cemetery at Madingley on May 24, 2009 under blue skies and much better weather conditions than last year. This from Steve Gotts, who also reminded that June 17th was the 25th anniversary of the date on which the dedication of the memorial plaque honouring the 361st Fighter Group was held at the Holy Trinity Church in Bottisham. In addition to Steve, Ray and Ken King, Pete Burrell and many local dignitaries, as well as our own Bill Hild, Ben Drew, Glenn and Kaye Fielding and George Vanden Hueval attended the ceremony at the church, followed by a reception at the Bottisham Youth Centre. Plans for the reunion in Charleston have finally meshed, and a pleasant time awaits all who can be there. For those wishing to trip the light fantastic, "our" kind of music will be available for your listening pleasure as well, supplied by a local DJ whose library includes most of the Big Band sounds of the 40s and 50s which should stir some memories of the way we were. So whether you hop aboard the A TRAIN, fly the friendly skies of United, or grab the CHATTANOOGA CHOO-CHOO, I CAN’T BEGIN TO TELL YOU that I hope you’ll be IN THE MOOD and that I'LL BE SEEING YOU, AS TIME GOES BY, on a SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY to Charleston where we can all get together to sing I'M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT. With your permission I'll leave you with a quote from the August 2001 edition: "As long as there are memories, yesterday remains; as long as there is hope, tomorrow is possible; as long as there is friendship, everything is beautiful."
Joe Redden
Secretary
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Hats off to the team at Pacific Fighters after Impatient Virgin picked up the best P-51 and the Phoenix Award at the EAA Convention at Oshkosh. Pacific fighters have done an amazing job of bringing a part of 361st FG history back to life.
Jason Webb.
Impatient Virgin Has Flown!!STOP PRESS
Jason Webb. Impatient Virgin STOP PRESS Kevin Larson from Pacific Fighters has been in touch & has confirmed Impatient Virgin is approximately 2 weeks out from its 1st flight and is currently undergoing engine runs.
Steve Gotts (Group Historian) is currently busily researching more details on the aircraft's history for Pacific Fighters.
Jason Webb. Impatient Virgin to fly again?
When Flight Officer Wade C. Ross of the 376th Squadron, took to his parachute in June 1945, after his P-51B 42-106638 suffered a catastrophic coolant loss, he must of believed that his aircraft was on its final journey. In an amazing postscript to our earlier story "Hilgay P-51 Recovery" (see story below right) we have learned that Impatient Virgin is to fly again nearly 63 years after it originally crashed at Hilgay . The aircraft has recently had taxi trials after a 2 year restoration by John Muszala's Pacific Fighters of Idaho Falls.
Muszala was sent the plane's remains in 2006 and in an interview for the River City Weekly he said "Our passion and our customer's passion and financial (backing) is able to bring this plane back," Muszala said. Also Muszala said he's motivated by bridge building, filling the gap between those who saw World War II and the new generation. Rebuilding the planes, most of which were scrapped following the war, inspires conversation. "By '49 everybody was going, where did the airplanes go? Fortunately there were some who kept them around. We build these airplanes because they're storybook kind of airplanes. And the story is too great to be forgotten," he said.
It is believed the aircraft is owned by John Sessions and will move to his base at Paine Field after the completion of the test flights.
Jason Webb. 361st Fighter Group Commemorated on Memorial Day in England, 28th May 2007 In atrocious conditions the annual memorial day service was conducted under the auspices of the United States' Embassy and the 100th Refueling Wing, in co-operation with the Cemetery Staff and was was held at the American Military Cemetery near Cambridge. As on many previous occasions, the service was well attended by both American and British servicemen, their wives and families, various groups of Second World War veterans and British friends. The focal point of the service was the presentation of floral decorations. This year, a total of 114 wreaths were paraded by US Air Force personnel along the Wall of the Missing, prior to their placement by the various representatives. On this occasion, the 361st Fighter Group Association was represented by Jason Webb & Steve Gotts, with Jason laying the memorial wreath. The service included a number of stirring speeches, some beautiful music from a bagpiper and a bugler, the firing of Volleys, Flag Raising and Taps. Unfortunately no aerial flypasts were possible due to the high winds, driving rain and the low cloudbase.
P-47 Identification Can you help us identify this P-47- marked E9-Z?
Steve Gotts thinks it is the mount of Billy D Welch of the 376th FS - can anyone confirm this? The query has been raised by Michael Rodgers of the 457th Bomb Group Association who is researching the photo for a B-17's crew members family. It pertains to the mission of the 11th April 1944. He writes "The 457th Bomb Group was based at Glatton (Station 130) about 8 miles south of Peterborough, England. It was part of the 94th Combat Wing, First Division, Eighth Air Force. The April 11, 1944 mission to Sorau, Germany was the Group's 25th mission of the war. The target was the eastern complex of the FW-190 aircraft factories located at an airdrome near Sorau. Overall, a thousand heavy bombers and eight hundred escort fighters were involved in the operations of the day. Remembering the occurrences of 9 April, the Group expected a tough mission. The mission was flown at an altitude of sixteen thousand feet. The 457th supplied twenty-four aircraft to compose all the high and part of the lead box of the 94th A Combat Wing. Major Rod Francis was Air Commander of the high box with pilot Lt. Edward M. Bender. On the way to the target, heavy flak was encountered in the Hanover area. Two planes, piloted by Lt. Marsden W. Mattatal and Lt. Adrian W. Seabock, were knocked out of formation and returned to England badly damaged. However, five of Lt. Seabock's crew, including the navigator, parachuted. Frank T. Ingersoll, the ball turret gunner, parachuting down close to William B. Woodell, the radio operator, landed in high tension wires and was killed instantly. The other four crew became prisoners of war. The lead aircraft was also hit, had to salvo the bombs, but stayed with the formation. As they emerged from the flak, Me-109s were waiting, but escort fighters and gunners kept them away. The primary target was covered with clouds; so the formation headed north for the Politz Oil Refinery, the secondary target, where clouds and other wings prevented bombing. Targets of opportunity were bombed; and the aircraft took the Baltic Sea, Denmark, North Sea route back to Glatton, completing a ten hour mission. Thirteen craft sustained minor, and eight major, damage. The P-47 was photographed by Francis E. Cornue, the tail gunner of B-17G serial number 42-97088 flown by Adrian W. Seabock. This was the Seabock crew's 15th mission. The two pilots, bombardier, engineer and tail gunner were the five crew who did not bail out. According to the son of Francis E. Cornue, Lt. Seabock's airplane was escorted back to the UK by this P-47. He said his father remembered at one point the P-47 using its wing to lift the wing of the hard-to-control B-17. Eventually, the aircraft made an emergency landing at Ludham, an RAF base assigned to the USAAF, about 10 miles west of Norwich, England. None of the crew were injured in the landing. Lt. Seabock and crew, including five replacements, went on to complete a 35 mission tour. The damaged aircraft was repaired and returned to service. Exactly three months later, on July 11, 1944, B-17G 42-97088 exploded over England while forming up for a mission, killing three crew." Any help would be much appreciated in identifying the pilot and perhaps shedding more light on yet another example of the fantastic job the 361st did in protecting their 'big friends.' Jason Webb & Steve Gotts 361fg.com & Michael Rodgers 457th BG Assoc. Little Walden Tower Becomes a Family Home
Having been built to a standard Air Ministry design in 1943, when Little Walden airfield was constructed between Hadstock and Little Walden villages in Essex, the airfield's control tower stood derelict for over thirty years after the end of World War 2 while, apart from developments around the old technical site and the other T2 hangar, the airdrome itself was slowly but surely broken up for hardcore and reclaimed for agriculture.
It seemed that the old tower would go the way of so many other disused airfield buildings but, in the early 1980s, was given a new lease of life when it was acquired by Roger Lynn Associates (architects) and fully restored as drawing offices. A few alterations were made, notably to a balcony door and a few windows and with the addition of double-glazing, but essentially the tower regained its wartime appearance, largely due to the enthusiasm of the new owner. In fact, it was Roger's interest in the history of Station F-165 that brought about the unveiling of the 361st Fighter Group memorial plaque in June 1984.
Today, Little Walden
tower is under new ownership and has been converted once again by local
businessman Adrian Thomas, this time into a family home for himself, his
wife and two young sons, but also incorporating a studio area for the
design of ladies wear. Inevitably, this involved a number of changes to
the internal layout but, perhaps surprisingly, the building still
retains most of its original external features, as shown in these
pictures taken in September 2004. Altogether, they present an
interesting comparison with the photograph taken sixty years ago.
(With thanks to Mr & Mrs Thomas and family.) Photo and text by Steve Gotts Hilgay P-51 Recovery In November 2004, the remains of one of the 361st Fighter Group's longest serving aircraft were recovered near Hilgay in Norfolk, almost sixty years after it crashed during a low flying training mission on 22 June 1945. Piloted by Flight Officer Wade C. Ross of the 376th Squadron, P-51B 42-106638 suffered coolant failure, resulting in steam entering the cockpit, injuring the pilot. However, F/O Ross baled out safely and later received treatment for his burns at RAF Ely hospital.
Originally assigned to
the 376th Squadron in May 1944 at Bottisham, the Mustang was
named Impatient Virgin and carried the squadron codes E9:R. In
July of that year, the aircraft featured in a number of official
publicity photos taken of 361st formations over England,
during which time it was flown by Lt. Victor E. Bocquin. Later that
year, it was assigned to Lt. John B. Bricker, recoded E9:B and
subsequently modified with the installation of a British made Malcolm
"bubble" sliding canopy, plus an additional fin fillet.
Although the crash-site was located in 2002 by aviation archaeologists David Wade and Jeff Carless, it was not until November 2003 that the first exploratory dig, by hand, was carried out. Even so, the results were spectacular. Items recovered included the windscreen armour glass, canopy cover and the pilot's dinghy, which was in such good condition that it was capable of being inflated! Further digging also revealed a well preserved K-14 gunsight and the complete, but damaged, instrument panel bearing the radio call plate, confirming the aircraft's identity.
Delayed by the sugar-beet harvest in late 2004, a full-scale excavation with a mechanical digger revealed yet more finds, especially from the cockpit area including the radio set, rudder pedals and pieces of the control column. Of special interest was part of the right side of the cockpit with the canopy crank handle and release lever still in position and, as a poignant reminder of the pilot who, it was later revealed, had sadly died in the 1960s, F/O Ross' flying helmet was also discovered, left behind in his haste to escape the stricken Mustang.
Unfortunately, the Packard Merlin appeared to be beyond the reach of the digger, even though parts of it were found, along with sections of the engine bearers. However, another attempt at recovery may be made at a later date. Meanwhile, restored items from this 361st Fighter Group veteran will eventually be added to the displays in the 93rd Bomb Group Museum at Hardwick, in Norfolk.
(With thanks to David Wade, Jeff Carless and Wade C. Ross, Jr.) Photo and text by Steve Gotts |
