309th Squadron of the 31st Fighter Group help needed

[dremmen]

Hi all on this great forum.

I am currently publishing another historical aviation book, this time its about Lt Col Harry Strawn of the 31st fighter group info as follows:


Another new book researched, written and produced through the efforts of three
Goodwood (RAF Westhampnett) flying enthusiasts, To War in a Spitfire is a unique
diary account of an American Spitfire pilot during WW2.

The untold story, Lt Harry Strawn, 309th Squadron of the 31st Fighter Group, had kept
a meticulous diary throughout this period. Not only with regards to the flying
he had undertaken but encompassing his social and political feelings too.
Using personal diaries and his many letters home, this work follows Harry’s life
as one of the pilots with the 309th Fighter Squadron experiencing
combat for the first time. We have sought not to interfere with the original text and have
recreated it as written, including punctuation, grammar and slang. American spellings have
generally been changed to British and some repetition edited out. However, what follows
is a primary source document of his experiences, thoughts and emotions.

The book is a limited edition and will be available from the launch date 11th August 2012
at 11am in Hangar 8 at Goodwood Aerodrome. This being the 70th anniversary of Harry’s
Squadron arriving at RAF Westhampnett. We are honoured to have present
some original Spitfire pilots who flew from RAF Westhampnett
This special event will include static aircraft and an air display.

We are trying to get in touch with the 31st fighter group or the USAAF to possibly help us with our launch in the UK this year,and to come along and represent themselves. We are finding it difficult to get any communcation from them and we are asking for any help in getting contacts.

Our previous book, Westhampnett at War, sold out all of its 1000copies with all proceeds going to the RAF Association, this book will create a Harry Strawn flying scholarship to be set up at Goodwood (RAF Westhampnett) where American pilots saw there first action during the second world war.


Thankyou for any assistance or information


Yours

Greg Percival

Image below is the 'mock-up' of the front cover

Last edited by dremmen on Tue May 29, 2012 10:46 am, edited 3 times in total.

[carguy671]

I can't wait to get a copy of this book. My uncle was Lt. Robert O. Rahn who flew in the 309th FS with Lt. Strawn. He flew Spitfires Mk V and IX In England ,North Africa , Sicily and Italy.

[dremmen]

wow thats very interesting carguy!! im currently laying out the book with our launch being early august this year 70th anniversary of tem arriving at RAF Westhampnett ill look again for references to Lt Rahn.

Will be very happy to post an edition of the book to you, its a limited edition book of 1000 copies

[carguy671]

Thank you, I will try to find my Uncle's original pictures from his time in the 309th FS. He was credited with three aerial victories. A Miachi 202 , ME-109 and FW-190. It appears that the ME-109 might have been shared with Maj. Hill. After his combat tour was up, he was in the second test pilot class at Wright Field with Richard Bong, Don Gentile , Glen Edwards and Tony LeVier. After the war he was a test pilot for Douglas Aircraft before joining NASA as an engineer.

[carguy671]

Here is a link to a history of the 309th FS 31st FG.
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/31st/309th.html

[dremmen]

We have just about finished the final draft of the book before publishing, but still would be very intersted in any images to look at.

Thanks for the link we have sourced this info many times, very interesting