History buffs..

Anyone know how I can obtain a mission/unit history for WW2. In particular 815th BS 483rd BG mission to Piombino Italy on 28 April '44. My father-in-law was WIA on this mission in B-17F "Chief Wahoo". s/n 42-5418.. The Chief was lost over Milan two days later...

[DaveM2]

Here's another site that you might like to try

http://disc.server.com/Indices/37919.html

Dave

[wls3]

Randal,

You might want to start with the Air Force History Support Office.

http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/AboutAFHSO/aboutHOR.htm

They have an e-mail address for inquiries listed on this page.

This from USAAF Combat Chronology:

28 April 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Clearing weather again
permits bomber operations; 450+ B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Italy;
188 B-17s bomb Piombino Steel Works and port; 168 B-24s bomb the
port area at San Stefano al Mare; and 108 B-24s bomb the port area at
Orbetello; P-38s, P-51s and P-47s provide escort.

Bill

Thank you sir. Seems that the 15th AF history and in particular 483rd BG has little detailed history compared to 8th AF units.

[Paul Patist]

Or you might have a try over here...

http://www.armyairforces.com/ and check for the units database !

Good luck,

Paul

A few years ago I got mission reports for all of the sorties my grandfather flew on B-24s and B-29s in WWII. All of this information is located in the National Archives in Washington DC and is public record - you are welcome to peruse the stacks and copy whatever you like at no cost. The information I was able to glean was fascinating, original after action debriefing reports on a plane by plane basis listing all crew, takeoff/landing times, enemy sightings, etc. Incredible. There is a multitude of official documents on file at the National Archives - you could research something to death if necessary.

I do not live near Washington and even if I did I think it probably would be a daunting task to locate exactly what you are looking for. I used a 3rd party research company to do the work for me - they were excellent and had all of the photocopies to me inside of a week from my initial request. The price was reasonable, less than $50.

Their website is:
http://www.aviationarchives.com/

Good luck, let us know what you find out!

Glyn

Thanks for the info. I'll make contact with them and see how they go.