Hi Eric, Welcome to SSMA. No need to explain why you are here as I've been following the story of your diary with Bill on the other site. Bill just alerted me yesterday that Oliver had been shot down during the second Schweinfurt Raid. Are you a relative? I have searched our current and inactive rosters for that name to no avail. Bill said he was with the 306BG/423BS. Did he mention plane name, crewmates, Pilot in the diary? My father was with the 306BG also - 369th BS. His plane made it back to England 10/14/43, but he was seriously wounded. You will find Tracey Jackson and Michael Kessinger on both the SSMA site and Stalag 17b site. I am sure they would be anxious to hear from you. Michael has posted some photos of his father on the SSMA site. You may also want to have a look at the video section. Mo Molen was shot down and spent the remainder of WWII in 17B - that is, when he wasn't an escapee - twice. If there are any passages referring to the Schweinfurt raid I would invite you to post on our site. FInally, I sensed you were wondering about what to do with this gem that has come into your possession. I remember you said you had it appraised. Don't know who did that but there is a person who lives pretty close to you in MN who is on the board of directors of the 8th Air Force Historical Society that would also be able to advise you as to your options. His name is Mark Copeland 20681 Hazelwood Trail Lakeville, MN 55044 (952) 469-2633
Please let us know if you have any questions at all, either about the 306th or what any, if there are any references to the Schweinfurt raid.
Hope you are having fun - most of all, we are here to keep their stories alive for future generations.
Comments
Hi Eric, Welcome to SSMA. No need to explain why you are here as I've been following the story of your diary with Bill on the other site. Bill just alerted me yesterday that Oliver had been shot down during the second Schweinfurt Raid. Are you a relative? I have searched our current and inactive rosters for that name to no avail. Bill said he was with the 306BG/423BS. Did he mention plane name, crewmates, Pilot in the diary? My father was with the 306BG also - 369th BS. His plane made it back to England 10/14/43, but he was seriously wounded. You will find Tracey Jackson and Michael Kessinger on both the SSMA site and Stalag 17b site. I am sure they would be anxious to hear from you. Michael has posted some photos of his father on the SSMA site. You may also want to have a look at the video section. Mo Molen was shot down and spent the remainder of WWII in 17B - that is, when he wasn't an escapee - twice. If there are any passages referring to the Schweinfurt raid I would invite you to post on our site. FInally, I sensed you were wondering about what to do with this gem that has come into your possession. I remember you said you had it appraised. Don't know who did that but there is a person who lives pretty close to you in MN who is on the board of directors of the 8th Air Force Historical Society that would also be able to advise you as to your options. His name is Mark Copeland 20681 Hazelwood Trail
Lakeville, MN 55044
(952) 469-2633
Please let us know if you have any questions at all, either about the 306th or what any, if there are any references to the Schweinfurt raid.
Hope you are having fun - most of all, we are here to keep their stories alive for future generations.
Sue (Fox) Moyer