401st Bomb Group (H) Association
The best damned outfit in the USAAF!
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Chuck Johnson
8/14/2001 10:15:41 AM
Does anyone remember my Uncle Sgt Brennan, 615th Sq?
He arrived Deenthorpe around Jan 44 after ferrying AC from US as part of 457th.
His crew, (Lt. Post) were then reassigned to the 401st.
He flew missions until July or the beginning of Aug 44 before rotating back to
to the States.

Also interested in any information anyone may have regarding
Lt G. Malofchik shot down 8 Aug 44 (A/C "Stormy Weather).
Lt. Malofchik and my Uncle grew up in the same neighbor hood and attended the
same high school.

I am mailing my membership application today.
Your web site is outstanding and very much appreciated.
Art Seder
8/14/2001 11:00:56 PM
Your uncle's crew, of which Lt. Post was pilot, flew its first mission on February 24, 1944, in B-17 called "Stormy Weather". The target was Schweinfurt. The crew flew 33 missions, the last being to Hamburg on June 20, 1944. The navigator, Bernard Hirsch, is a member of the 401st Bomb Group Association and resides at 272 De Rose Court, West Orange, NJ 07052-4140. Mrs. Joan Mehlman, the widow of T/Sgt R. C. Mehlman, the radio operator, is also a member of the Association.
     Lt. Melofchik was pilot of a crew also assigned to the 615th Squadron. They were shot down on August 1, 1944, while on a mission to Chartres, France. By coincidence, they were also flying "Stormy Weather" at the time. All of the crew were killed except the tail gunner, Sgt. J. W. Bozarth, who evaded capture. Group records indicate that the aircraft was hit by flak and collided with another plane in the formation, cutting off its tail. Both aircraft crashed, with only Sgt. Bozarth surviving. This was Lt. Melofchik's seventh mission, which occurred less than two weeks after flying his first mission.
Vicki Grabicki
4/11/2003 1:41:54 AM
I am new at this, but am plunging in. My dad Vince Ledray flew with Eddie Post before getting his plane the Pakawalup out of the 401st 615 Bg Deenthorpe. He was the pilot. I will be talking to him in depth soon about all of this in a few days.  Yours VG
Elmer Cheatham
6/29/2003 7:48:50 PM
I was in Barracks 11 at Deenethorpe with the crew of Lt Post.  I have pictures of the crew, including Sgt Brennan (my photo says Tom Brennan, but that could be an error).  By coincidence, I was radio operator on Lt Kaminski's crew.  Our plane was Stormy Weather, which happened to figure in the lives of both Sgt Brennan and Lt Malofchik. Most of our crew completed our missions and returned to the US.  Unhappily, our pilot, Lt Kaminski was killed on May 28, 1944.  Stormy Weather later was involved in a mid-air collision while on a mission, with Lt Malofchik as pilot.
     If you contact me, I will be glad to send you the pictures.


  
Vicki Ledray Grabicki
1/7/2004 5:25:46 PM
Just now learning you are out there- my dad Lt.Vincent Ledray flew co-pilot/pilot with Eddie Post, first with the 457th ,and then the 401-615th out of Deenthorpe. We have limited pictures. I thought I remembered seeing a picture of a plane with an Indian Boy waving a Tommyhawk, which I think must have been one of the Pakawalups. I received the picture of Stormy Weather with the flak holes, and the two crew photos you sent Chuck Johnson. I promise I will not reproduce any other pictures you might have. Dad thinks I am amazing for tracking down what little I have so far-so thank you Elmer for saving them.  Yours Vicki Ledray Grabicki
Henry Melofchik
1/24/2004 11:27:41 AM
I am Lt Gerard Melofchiks Brother.I would be interested in any photos you have of Stormy Weather. We are thinking of going to France to see Monument to the crew of Stormy Weather on the 60th Anniversary of Their crash over Chartres France On August 1,1944. My address is :Mr. Henry S. Melofchik  677 Brockton Way ,West Melbourne,Florida 32904 ,E-mail Mmhankmelofchik@aol.com would be glad to pay for them or perhaps you could E-Mail them if you can.Hank
Jean PIERRE
1/1/2005 5:32:29 AM
Bonjour,
My website, informations concerning B17 "Stormy Weather and Jeannne"
Chartres August 1 .1944.
I researche anothers informations concerning the crew
Sncerely
Jean Pierre , president Forced Landing Ass
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/forcedlanding/