tatloc
4/23/2012 10:43:42 AM | Dear Friends!
About sixteen years ago I applied for help to all Groups that flown B-17 and B-24 bombers over Europe. I have been looking for information on an unidentified bomber with white stars on its fuselage and wings that force-landed in the spring of 1945 in the vicinity of the town when I am living now. You have supported me very, very much. Thank you very much for all your effort.
After 15 years of research we have discovered that the Flying Fortress had been B-17G #43-38231 “Try’n Getyt” of the 452nd Bomb Group. There was erected a memorial in the landing spot last year.
We again need your help now. The matter is serious and important for many Groups.
Today in Poland we observe what has been happening in Germany for years. Many times we hear that Germans were victims of the Second World War. There is a question that worries and bothers me. It is a raid to Swinemunde, Germany of March 12, 1945. Swinemunde is in Poland now. We call it Świnoujście.
Many Germans say that the raid of March 12, 1945 was the so called terrorangriffe i.e. a terror attack. However we know that it was just bombing of the port infrastructure and the junction. It is a fact that there were many refugees at Świnoujście in those days and the bombing was carried out with very bad weather using radar. As far as we know Germans found 1 500 deaths immediately after the raid, but soon number of 4 000 victims was established (including civilians and military personnel). The number increases year by year. A war-time Commanding Officer of a German regiment at Świnoujście determined the total loss at 7 000 people in 1965. Since 1990 Germans want to prove that the target of the American attack were German civilians and claim that there were 20 000 to 23 000 victims.
Therefore a friend of mine, Piotr Laskowski of Świnoujście, is writing a book on the raid of March 12, 1945. To us it is a matter of the American airmen’s honor. It is obvious the Germans unleashed the Second World War in 1939, but they want to treat themselves as victims now. We do not agree with their point of view.
What we are looking for?
1) Personal accounts of the raid from its participants including airmen and ground personnel
2) Pictures associated with it
3) Official reports, loading lists, and other documents
I am personally interested in the project, because the Flying Fortress B-17G #43-38231 of the 452nd Bomb Group took part in the mission.
We believe you will not leave us without your help. It is just a question of honor.
Sincerely yours,
Wieslaw Glowinkowski e-mail: wieglo@wp.pl
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donaldbyers
4/23/2012 7:42:45 PM | I have replied with the Data which was requested. That in many thanks to those who contributed to the Historical Research Project. Due to surgery on Tuesday I will not be able to help in the request for personal accounts.
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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