Warbird Information Exchange

Howdy All

Curious to know if there is any information, books and or websites on the 504th Bombardment Group that flew B-29s, particulary the 398th BS. Also is there a 504th BG and or 398th BS Association that still exists ?
I have come across a snippet of information about a particular B-29 s/n. 42-65349
Would like to find a photo of the crew and plane etc

Thanks

Lightning

Have you tried putting 504th into GOOGLE to see what pops up? or input 20th A.F. and looked for links? I just input 504th B.G. 20th A.F. into GOOGLE and got back 10x10 pages of hits-

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

My grandfather was the pilot of "Pretty Baby" with the 504th BG/398th BS, which after a quick online search, I believe is SN 42-65349. I have many photos of the plane, crew, scans of his logbook, and a memoir of his service he wrote a few years before he passed. He and his crew flew 35 missions from Tinian and were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. If you're still monitoring this forum, I'd be happy to visit with you. You can email me at: blane@eaa.org

- Brady Lane

Howdy Brady

Just sent you an email

Lightning

I've exchanged a couple emails (off-line) with "Lightning" and learned quite a bit more about my grandfather's B-29, "Pretty Baby" SN 42-65349. In case there are other folks following this thread and are interested, I am copying our emails below so you can read what I learned. I look forward to seeing these new photos of my grandfather's plane and crew taken during one of their missions during WWII. This was a fascinating discovery for me and makes me even more proud of my grandfather and his service during the war.

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Tue, 08 Mar 2011 3:40 AM
(From Lightning to Brady)

Hi Brady

I am writing from Australia
I just saw you message on WIX in regards to my original message

Im in shock that someone related to one of the Crew Members, found my message !

For the last few years I have been researching all the U.S. Army Air Force Units/Aircraft that operated from 'Finschhafen', New Guinea during WW2

While searching U.S. Air Force Microfilms I came across a Document and pics of B-29 s/n. 42-65349 landing at Finschhafen, New Guinea. ( I was able to print out the 2 pages of poor quality Document and related pics)
I only recently stumbled across these print outs again after moving house.
See info below

FIRST B-29 LANDS AT FINSCHHAFEN AIR STRIP

At 14:20 hours, Tuesday 19 June, 1945, the first B-29 landed at the Finschhafen air strip. The serial number of this plane was 42-653-49 and it is assigned to the 398th Bombardment Squadron (VH), 504th Bomb Group, stationed at Tinian, in the Mariannas. (21st Bomber Command, 20th Air Force)

The aircraft was enroute to Darwin via Nadzab, the latter base was closed in due to inclement weather and the pilot decided to land at this station

Colonel Eisenhart, Deputy Commander 313th Bombardment Wing, Tinian, was the ranking officer aboard. He was greeted by Colonel Rose when he alighted from the Bomber and arrangements were made to quarter all the officers and men of his crew and to service the ship for departure the following morning.

The members of the crew were: Lt. Allenby (Pilot), Lt. McElmurry (Co-Pilot), Lt. Zelickson (Navigator), Lt. Cofeld (Bombardier), Lt. Couch (Flight Engineer), T Sgt. Banta (Central Fire Control), S Sgt. Stovall (Radio Operator), S Sgt. Dickens (Radar), and gunners S Sgt. Hanson, S Sgt. Hand and Sgt. Hawkins. In addition the following passengers were on board : Colonel Pouge, M Sgt Patomersios and S Sgt Russell, all members of the 398th Bombardment Squadron.

Under the direction of Captain Edwin Phillips (Provost Marshal) the necessary security measures were enforced and guards assigned to the aircraft. The B-29 departed from this station enroute to Darwin at 08:35 hours, Wednesday 20 June 1945.

I am unable to scan the 2 page documents (dont have a Scanner) , but if you like I could snail mail these to you

The 5 pics that were with this document are very poor. 2 of the pics show the B-29 landing, another 2 show the B-29 parked and up close, with the information ( Note: Markings on the nose indicate 23 Bombardment missions, 4 downed Nip planes and 3 probables )
The last pic show Colonel Rose and Colonel Eisenhart standing together talking

Hope this was of interest and please let me know if I can be of any further help

I look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your Grandfather, his Crew and their B-29 "Pretty Baby" etc

============

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:20 AM
(From Brady to Lightning)

Wow! Thank you so much for your response and this information. That was indeed my grandfather's plane and crew. He was the co-pilot — 1st Lt. Arthur McElmurry.

My grandmother has his war scrapbook, but a couple years ago I took photos of his flight record and combat duty pages as well as several photos he had that showed his plane and crew. I'm attaching these to this email.

You'll see these photos also show the plane with the same markings you describe (23 Bombardment missions, 4 downed, and 3 probables), which make me believe these were taken around the same time, if not in New Guinea as well.

I would absolutely LOVE to have a copy of the photos and document you have for our family record and to better understand what he did. I would be more than happy to reimburse you for postage. Let me know how much it is and where to send it.

Here's my address:
Brady Lane
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX

I recently moved myself, but this evening I'm going to search for his memoirs he wrote about his service and see if he mentions his night in New Guinea. He goes into great detail about many of his missions, so I bet it's in there. As you can imagine I’m extremely proud of my grandfather. He and his crew earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for leading a dangerous and critical flight just a month before their visit to New Guinea.

Thanks again for sharing this history with me. As you’ll see in the photos I've attached, his flight record doesn’t include this story so I appreciate you helping me fill in the gaps and turn these numbers and dates into stories. I look forward to learning more and seeing what you have. Let me know if you want me to send more to you.

=========
Wednesday, 09 Mar 2011 5:30 AM
(From Lightning to Brady)

Thank you so much for the information on your Grandfather 1st Lt. Arthur McElmurry

It will be my pleasure to send you and your family that Document/pics, dont worry about postage
Will send tommorow

When I originally saw this document on the Microfilm, I was very excited to find it. (Though I have since forgotten which Microfilm I found it on)
I would never have thought in a million years that I would ever find someone related to the B-29 crew
I always referred to this aircraft as the Finschhafen B-29

From my records your Grandfathers B-29 was the first and last type to ever have flown into and out of Finschhafen APO 322 ( Dregor Harbour Airfield ). I think this is why it was special to the Finschhafen Unit records
Just of interest, one thing I do know is that there were other B-29s to visit Australia
There was a posting sometime back on WIX about another 20th AF B-29 that had been repainted with the name "WALTZING MATILDA" in US Markings and toured all of Australia promoting to the Australian Public.
Looking into the 5th Air Force records/Microfilms, I found that General MacArthur had planned and built a base in Darwin, Australia for B-29 Squadrons/Groups to operate from. But conflict between other US Generals wouldn't allow any B-29s be allotted to General MacArthur's Far East Air Force.

You will proably find that the letter 'C' was an abbreaviation for some type of administrive flight
Do you know if there is a 398th BS or 504th BG association that may have this information ?
Are any of your Grandfathers crew still alive ? Maybe they could decipher the meaning of "C"

I look forward to hearing more about your Grandfather/Crew and this B-29

PS I really love B-29s and have been following the CAFs B-29 progress
Just wish I could win 'Lotto' and buy the B-29 thats for Sale at Aero Trader

Thank you again Brady

======================

Here are some photos of Pretty Baby and crew, as well as my grandfather's flight record that shows his flight on June 19-20, 1945.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradylane/ ... 106118667/

Hi Lightning,

My grandfather was the tailgunner Edger "the Hawk" hawkins and aswell look for information, he never really wanted to talk about it but did have good times with all the crew (that he did talk about). When we find his pics I can exchange them with you, I've seen them once before and they were great! We're just starting to go thru his house (he passed away last week). Which one was your grandfather?

John
john.s.hawkins@hud.gov