donaldbyers
2/26/2012 6:08:15 PM | Dear Mr. Byers,
Thank you for your email yesterday. I am indeed working on a documentary film about the 401st. The working title is:
Deenethorpe: The 401st Bomb Group and the Quest for Peace, 1943-1945.
I did a series of oral history video interviews at the 401st BGA reunion in Washington a few years ago, but unfortunately, a robbery of all my equipment near DFW Airport as I returned to Texas included many of the original tapes of those interviews. The police never found any of the equipment or the tapes. Two of the interview tapes were in a different storage bag and were saved. Hence, the delay in completing the film. My original release date for the film was the fall of this year. But I will need to do additional interviews now before I can continue. I plan to do some interviews in England in July when I am in the Deenethorpe area. I will keep you posted on the progress of the Deenethorpe film.
I have done a series of these documentary films as a part of my East Anglia Air War Project that began in 2001. I expect that many more titles will be produced in the years to come and several books on 8th Air Force history will draw on my ten years of research.
I am currently looking for 401st members to interview who live within reasonable range of Abilene. Perhaps you might be able to assist in identifying those who might be interested in being interviewed?
Your website is first rate. Congratulations on what your group has made available to the world.
Best wishes in your work,
Dr. Williams
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Dr. Vernon L. Williams
Professor of History
Editor, Chronicles of Historical Studies
Director, East Anglia Air War Project
Department of History
ACU Box 28130
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX 79699-8130
Telephone: 325-280-3399
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Josie
4/29/2012 3:57:30 AM | Hi Dr. Williams,
I'm not sure when your deadline is but my Uncle, Frank D. Perez, will be in San Antonio in early October for the 8th Air Force Historical Society Reunion. We are usually the only ones in attendance from the 401st. If you plan to be there, my Uncle would be more than happy to sit down and talk with you. He was a Ball Turret Gunner and flew 32 missions with the 613th. If you are not planning to attend the reunion it would be quite a drive for you or for us but it is possible we could make the drive or fly there for the day. We will be arriving in San Antonio a day and a half prior to the reunion to settle in before it begins.
He lives in Southern CA if you plan to be in that area at all.
Take Care!
Josie Navarro 🙂
Secretary-Treasurer 401BG
PX Coordinator
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