|
P47 Pilots Guestbook
|
Welcome to the P47 Pilots Guestbook.
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1594)
Just out of High School 1943, I joined Republic Aviation, Evansville Ind. My brother serving in Italy wrote to my parents asking why they had let his sister go to work in a defense plant. I don't thin he realized how badly needed the women were to work in plants. I was Rosie the Riveter , riveting the access door to the plane. I did this for a year or more and was promoted to a desk job.I finished the war years in Washington DC, Civil Service, working at Arlington Hall, Falls Church, Va. translating Japanese messages.I saw the Thunderbolt/Warhog on TV, being used in the war with Oraq and wondered if it was a version of the thunderbolt I knew. Brings back memories of a few years past.
Posted By: Grace W. Travis Weber
(gratraweb@wmconnect.com)
on 03/24/2003 1:58:32 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1593)
A request to the P-47 community.
HELP TELL THE THUNDERBOLT STORY TO A NEW GENERATION
You can help preserve the Thunderbolt legacy.
I’m Tim Hagan, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, the son of Bob Hagan, a 9th Air Force, 365th Fighter Group - Hell Hawk - veteran. My friend, Air Force Academy classmate, former astronaut, and author, Dr. Thomas D. Jones, is gathering information for a project to tell the story of the vital ground support role 9th Air Force P-47s played in the liberation of Europe. He is trying to contact 9th AF P-47 veterans to gather material. Initial plans are for a feature magazine article. A possible book, etc. could follow but that would depend on the public interest generated by the initial effort. Public interest, in part, would be heightened by the quality of first-person accounts made available. Recent “you are there” World War II stories have generated great interest, i.e. “Saving Private Ryan”, “Band of Brothers” (Stephen Ambrose book and HBO mini-series). By the way, if you saw “Saving Private Ryan”, you may have noted the aircraft that “killed” the German tank at the end of the movie was a P-51. Based on the primary roles of the Thunderbolt and the Mustang during the Normandy invasion, we should have seen a couple of “Jugs” in the starring role. With all due respect to “Mustang” vets, tank killing was a “Thunderbolt” specialty. Help Tom tell the Thunderbolt’s story. If you have information you believe would be useful or know anyone who might, contact me at TS_Hagan@hotmail.com or Dr. Tom Jones at p47story@cox.net.
Posted By: Tim Hagan
(TS_Hagan@hotmail.com)
on 03/23/2003 11:21:31 AM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1592)
Ok guys, the guestbook is back up and functioning after some routine database maintenance - sorry for the inconvenience! Thinking of our troops overseas and hoping for a quick and decisive end to the war.
Posted By: William Frederico(P47 Admin)
(p47techdesk@estek.net)
on 03/20/2003 1:44:42 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1591)
Mr. Loic Chaumont, who has sent in a query, was also looking for another Jug pilot several years back. With help from me and others, he did manage to contact him! His name was John Balcunas, and he lived in Riverside, California!
The French people and Mr. Chaumont contacted him, and the next year Mr. Balcunas went over to France to visit the people who had invited him!
I've kept in contact with Mr. Chaumont since then, and we keep write regularly.
I know the name Smith leaves a lot of searching to be done, but maybe someone can help him to find Malcom Smith, or his descendants!
The French people may not be very co-operative right now, but they are still very thankful for us liberating their country, back in WW II! I was in the Infantry in France during WW II.
Rusty Jones
Posted By: Rusty Jones
(rustyj14@yahoo.com)
on 02/21/2003 8:13:19 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1590)
Hello.
I am french and I live near Vibraye (72 - Sarthe); a place where Capt Malcolm A. Smith died in the crash of his P-47 thunderbold on the 21st of May 1944.
I am writing on the behalf of town council and the inhabitants of Vibraye which would like to organize a commemorative ceremony in the honour of M.A. Smith.
We need on your help to recover and get in touch with relatives of M.A. Smith.
I know from the AFHRA in Maxwell that he belonged to the 395th Fitr Squadron of the 368th Fitr Group in the 9th Air Force.
Many thanks to you. Loïc Chaumont.
Posted By: Loïc Chaumont
(loic.chaumont@wanadoo.fr)
on 02/21/2003 4:58:38 AM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1589)
For the record, the 373rd Fighter Group was there during the Battle of the Bulge, too!!
Posted By: Staryl Austin
(p47288@juno.com)
on 02/17/2003 5:47:11 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1588)
Have enjoyed all of the comments read,and looking forward to hearing from people who knew my father,who was a member of HELL HAWKS
Posted By: PHILIP H SLINDE, Son of John H. Slinde
(maps@laplaza.org)
on 02/15/2003 6:01:53 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1587)
This a little story about a couple of WW II airmen, their stories and me.
I was looking for stories for my next two books, and I posted a message on the Web Bird Message Board. Joe Peterburs (P-51 pilot) responded immd. with his story,"The Strafing Kid". Joe's story is now in the manuscript of my next book, THE CAPTURED ONES.
On top of that I also got a story about a Frank Lewis (Frank and Joe met in Germany during the war, they were both shot down, and they were reunited in August 2002, due to the research made by a German, Mario Schulze).
After that I asked Joe Peterburs if he knew other airmen who might also be interested in participating with their stories in my next books.
Joe came up with another Frank Lewis. Since this Frank Lewis flew a P-47Jug in the 9th AAF during the war, we had to nickname him "P-47 Frank" and the other Frank was thus nichnamed "B-17 Frank". Well, P-47 Frank was willing to participate with his story / stories, started writing, and his story is step by step entering the manuscript of my next book THE YOUNG ONES.
During that time I also contacted Carol Auslander, Army Air Forces Historical Association, who had helped me before with the story about Ed Hays (shot down over Denmark in 1944). I asked Carol if she knew of stories of other airmen, which could be included in my next two books.
A couple of days later I got an e-mail from a Ken Glemby, who had talked with Carol. Ken also flew in the 9th AAF as a fighter pilot, also flying the Jug (P-47 Thunderbolt).
Since P-47 Frank was in the 9th AAF and Ken was also in the 9th AAF, could it then be that these two guys knew each other?
I e-mailed P-47 Frank and mention the name Kenneth Glemby or Ken Glemby, but it didn't ring a bell. There were so many of them....
After that I e-mailed Ken Glemby, and here the bell rang. Ken replied to my e-mail immd.:
THERE WAS INDEED A PILOT NAMED FRANCIS LEWIS WITH WHOM I FLEW MANY MISSIONS .
Could be that Francis is now Frank. I remember him as a very helpful veteran when I came in as a replacement pilot.
I respected him for his ability and personality. If it is the same guy, he was a collector of captured rifles and bolts.
I would love to be able to contact Lewis if it is the same guy.
Since both P-47 Frank and Ken flew missions together, according to Ken's note, and they were both in 9th Air Force, I called Ken this morning and he confirmed to me that he served in the 406th Fighter Group, 514th Fighter Squadron, same as P-47 Frank. I told ken I'd better call P-47 Frank and break the news to him by phone, making sure he wouldn't fall out of his chair, when Ken would call him later.
Few minutes later I called P-47 Frank and told him the news. Then I called back to Ken, and gave him Frank's phone number. Ken told me he would call Frank immediately.
This day, Saturday, February 15, 2003 thus became a happy day. The two squadron-mates got reunited after almost 58 years.
This was a pure coinsidence as many things in life. I am personally very pleased that it happened, and even more pleased that I was given the opportunity to be the one who reunited the two former Jug-pilots.
Best regards
Erik Dyreborg
Posted By: Erik Dyreborg
(erikdyreborg@tdcspace.dk)
on 02/15/2003 2:32:51 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1586)
I just finished Tom Glenn's book. My father went to Germany as WW II finshed as a P-51 pilot. I flew in Vietnam 67-68 and again 70-71. I enjoyed the book very much. You guys would have made great helicopter gunship drivers.
Ray
Posted By: ray murphy
(raymurphy@email.com)
on 02/13/2003 8:02:00 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1585)
Bonjour! I am studying the airwar over central and recently Arte, a French - German TV contacted me for a documentary relating the surrender of Elster's army. I would like to relate the famous air attack on the German convoys on 7 September 1944, near Chateauroux and Issoudun. The 406th FG (9th AAF)succesfuly occured that mission.The TV team will be here on next March and next April. Please if you know veterans pilots who were involved on this mission, or relatives or ground crew of this unit : feel free to contact me. Any informations, memories, archives, photos etc will be very welcome. These studies will bring me to publish a book on that subject.
M. Phil. Canonne, 2 rue Assolant, 41 000 Blois, France. canonne.phil@wanadoo.fr
Posted By: Canonne
(canonne.phil@wanadoo.fr)
on 02/13/2003 11:09:31 AM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1584)
I am sad to inform you that my dad, John W. Cook, passed away on January 22, 2003. He was in the 7th AF, 318th FG, 73rd FS. Flying has been one of his loves ever since he flew the Jug. We have gone to many reunions over the years and thoroughly enjoyed seeing and catching up with his buddies who flew the 47. I will miss this part also as he passed on his enthusiasm and love for flying to me as well. Thank you for giving the P-47 pilots a place to share their friendship and experiences again and again. It meant alot to both my dad and I.
Posted By: Linda Cook Baker
(lcbaker@velocity.net)
on 02/06/2003 12:42:50 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1583)
Hello, Jug Fans: The "Featured Archive Story: from Lt. Rufus A. Cox from "There I Was" column, lists six groups who performed admirably at The Battle of the Bulge. My 406th was not mentioned. We were very, very active there inasmuch as supposedly our commander, Col. Grosetta, was a friend of the Screamin' Eagles' commander who called on us specifically. Lord knows, we lost enough aircrew and planes there, including one I had shot out from under me for a crash landing and off to Class 26. If we're going to list units at Bastogne, let's list all of them.
Posted By: Frank Lewis
(femtl@earthlink.net)
on 02/02/2003 2:48:32 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1582)
P.O. Box 47! Dad passed on 1/4/03 and really loved the Jugs and comraderie with the fellow jockeys I hope to hear from anyone who befriended him, Bob North also, and am looking for anyone that has an original or good copy art of the 81st 93rd 14th AF jacket patch with the dragon, etc.. Look me up by phone at 808-637-9622 or email rnorthtbolt@yahoo.com. Great appreciation will go out to the one who has the goods.., Aloha, Bob North
Posted By: Bob North
(rnorthtbolt@yahoo.com)
on 01/31/2003 1:52:24 AM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1581)
I Just thought I would say how much my Father, Al Tevels enjoyed being a member of your association. Thank You.
Posted By: Jim Tevels
()
on 01/30/2003 5:09:52 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1580)
Notice the correct emailaddress...
Posted By: Paul Patist
(patist@wanadoo.nl)
on 01/26/2003 2:03:04 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1579)
Hi Frank,
Please contact me offboard for more details !
Regards,
Paul
Posted By: Paul Patist
(patist2wanadoo.nl)
on 01/26/2003 2:02:09 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1578)
For Paul Patist, Netherlands, Hello, Paul! Thanks for the reply on my Guestbook message on Zuiderzee. Can you steer me to any published work on the drainage project in English that I might locate here? Can your friend with the file recommend written sources? And include an e-mail address in next communication. Thanks, Frank Lewis
Posted By: Frank Lewis
(femtl@earthlink.net)
on 01/26/2003 1:03:22 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1577)
In The Netherlands, they are draining the huge Zuider Zee. It was on the flyway England to Berlin, so scores of aircraft went down into its waters, Krauts' and ours. They have been coming to the surface as the water level goes down with draining. A couple of years ago a P-47 with pilot still in seat came to light. Has anyone come across any literature on this vast project and the reappearance of wrecked planes? I need help with a research project with published sources. Thanks. Frank Lewis (512)45l-2691
Posted By: Frank Lewis
(femtl@earthlink.net)
on 01/24/2003 3:15:06 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1576)
I have been trying to log into the message boards for some time. To all you Thunderbolt Pilots, Greetings. My step-father, Ed Glowka was one of you. He flew out of England with the 6th AF. I regret to inform you that he passed away January 9,2003. He was very important in my life and was the reason that I am now retired from the Air Force. If anyone remembers him and would care to relate any memories of him, I will foreward them to my mother for a memorial book that we are creating. Please send them to me at peterkgregg@aol.com. Thank you. Peter Gregg, MSgt, USAF, Ret.
Posted By: Peter Gregg
(peterkgregg@aol.com)
on 01/19/2003 10:44:36 AM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1575)
I was a crew chief on P-47N Thunderbolts S/N 488001 and 488518 from June 1946-June 1949. Based at Wheeler field, Oahu. 7th Air force, 81st Ftr. Group and the 92 Ftr. Sqdn.Any one else out there that served at that time?
Posted By: Joseph H. Moore
(jmoore5513@aol.com)
on 01/19/2003 8:10:08 AM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1574)
I have a dear friend who is 85 years young (presently building a plane in his basement). He was in the 9th Air Force, 70th Fighter Wing, 48th Fighter Group, 493rd Squadron in Ibsley, Hampshire, England. If there is anybody from this outfit still around and would like to correspond with him please contact me. Thank you very much. Your site is very informative as I have been doing this gentlemans genealogy for him.
Posted By: Kenn Brooks
(wartec@advnet.net)
on 01/18/2003 4:56:08 AM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1573)
Many thanks for this site preserving the memories of the "Jug" and those who flew it.
Posted By: John H. Durst DDS
(jdurst@netexas.net)
on 01/11/2003 3:35:09 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1572)
Another WASP story: Two WASPs were ferrying junker Vultee Vibrator BT-13s to a boneyard base in Oklahoma. The fearless leader lady led the two in formation up a river valley, minimum altitude. Power lines crossed said river ahead and she tried to lead them underneath. Faulty decision; they hit the wires and tore them loose and they dangled from both planes, but they were able to stay airborne. Wing lady cried, and asked what they could do. Leader continued to destination field with wires dangling, wings badly cut by wires. Landed OK and taxiied to far reaches of airfield, deplaned and each pulled wires off their birds and then taxiied to delivery area. Non-com approached in jeep, took delivery papers, and asked, "My God. Is this the kind of airplanes they make you girls fly?" The anwser was, of course, "Yep, they do," or words to that effect. They hitched a jeep ride to base ops, sold the birds, and continued on their way home, undoubtedly much wiser and vowing to sin no more.
Posted By: Frank Lewis
(femtl@earthlink.net)
on 01/09/2003 12:00:42 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1571)
All Jug jocks will remember the elaborate checkout procedure, schooling, studies, books we had to master before getting into the cockpit. A WASP one time was assigned as the base commander's personal pilot at a P-47 RTU base. She flew him here and there in a twin Beech, begging him to let her check out the Jug. He said, "Someday. Study the manual." One day some high brass visited him. He called the WASP in and ordered her to go get a Jug and put on a show for the brass. She complained, "But sir, I have never even looked into the flight manual. I'm not ready." His reply was to get cracking. So she went to the line, got a crew chief to give her a quick briefing and start the engine. She taxiied out, fearfully. Didn't lock the tailwheel for takeoff, was all over the runway; but, got airborne somehow and put on a mild show. Landing was a fearful thing but accomplished without pranging. Think of it, and remember the awe we all felt looking UP at that monster before we first climbed up and in. The WASP ladies were great pilots, and flew and loved the Jug as we did.
Posted By: Frank Lewis
(femtl@earthlink.net)
on 01/07/2003 10:01:50 PM EST
|
Guestbook Entry (msg id: 1570)
I was so excited when I found this site! I have been trying to find information about my grandfather's fighter group, and hopefully this will be the place! He fought for the 12th Air Force, 27th Fighter Group. I would love to talk with someone from this group. I would also like to say thank you to all of the P-47 pilots for answering the call to serve our country during WWII! God Bless You All!
Posted By: Whitney Nelson
(wln2a@yahoo.com)
on 01/06/2003 11:22:41 PM EST
|
|
| |
Visit our other WWII Pilot Websites
P51Pilots.com
P51 Mustang Pilots Website
This page has been visited 3261841 times.
© Copyright 2000-2006 William Frederico, Logic Mountain, and its licensors. All Rights Reserved.
Unless specifically noted, all content, photos, stories, designs, and all other material on this website are copyright
William Frederico, Logic Mountain, and its licensors. You may not copy, reproduce, disseminate, create derivative works, or distribute
any of the material on this website without the express written consent of William Frederico and Logic Mountain.
DO NOT assume that any material on this website is in the public domain - most content from outside
sources was contributed by special permission of the authors. Contact us for licensing and permission information
regarding the copying or reproduction of ANYTHING on this website!
No anti-dusting agents were used in the creation of this website.
|
|