New book I aquired on the 4th Fighter Group

[1pLUs44]

Well, we all always knew that my sister's grandfather had been a P-51 pilot during World War 2. But that was all, we knew that he was a pilot, and he had been wounded while flying.

My sister actually had a book, called "1000 Destroyed" which was about the 4th Fighter Group, that she had never read, but her grandfather had read a lot.

Well, interested, my dad happened to open it, and find his writing all over the pages, and in the back, we even found a little note that he had written that said a little about his time in the war. It said:

As it is on the back:

"Thats how it was--

I was with this group from April 14th 1944, until 2100 hours June 18th 1944 (got hit).

(something I cannot read) was commanding the 335th Fighter Sqd. Was my outfit.

GMB (initials)"

I would really like to find out more information about him, where would I find it?

I also have his name and what not on the front:

"Property of

Lt. George M. Bowyers (or Bouyers, can't really tell from the writing)

O - 706343

"

I did a google search, but of course, found a lot of gibberish of nothing.

There's also a roster in the back (can't find him just yet, since we don't know what state he is from) and he has marked names of people he may have knew or had been friends with. Here's a few:

Capt. Van E. Chandler
Capt. Jack L Restivo


As of now, that's all I can find.

At the moment, I am only about 1/4 of the way through the book. Very interesting read.

[Treize69]

Thats the original 1946 edition, the later editions didn't have the roster.

My grandfather is in the roster section too.

Cpl. Edward Roman Jr., New Hartford NY.

[1pLUs44]

Very cool.

I happened to find him in a 335th Roster.

But I can't find out what he did while in combat or anything.

I hopefully will find out something about him being wounded.

And I found you're grandfather's name in the book, about halfway up the page, at the end of the New York Roster.

Edit: I think that the names he marked off were perhaps friends.

Van E. Chandler went on to become an ace, and Jack Restivo was a ground crew. I still haven't found out much, but this is getting very interesting.

[Masherbrum]

Might want to try here:

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/index.php

[1pLUs44]

Might want to try here:

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/index.php

Searching the directory right now.

Since he was only in for 2 months before being hit, would the plane he flew be on here?

[1pLUs44]

I've searched it inside and out (all different kinds of spelling, and even looked through ALL of the 335FS list of fighters) and I cannot seem to get a hold of the website director, or however you call it.

Is there a certain way to get a hold of him? Or do I just need to type it out.

[Guppy35]

From "Escort to Berlin-The 4th FG in World War 2" by Jeff Ethell and Garry Fry

Lt. George M Bowyer  To 335th Squadron 6/6/44  Wounded in Action.  Not positive on the dates of the wound, but possibly 6/13th, 18th or 25th  1944.  Hit by a slug in the upper right arm.  Bone taken from his leg to strengthen the damaged right arm in an operation.  Did not return to the 4th FG

There was nothing going on the 13th or 25th and the 4th flew a sweep attacking ground targets in France on the 18th where they lost a couple of 51s to ground fire, so I'd guess that's the day it happened.

If that's a 1946 copy, take good care of it.  Pricey to purchase one.  It's been reprinted a few times but nothing like an original.  Great read.

And if he was there from April to June, he was there during prime time for the 4th FG.

[1pLUs44]

From "Escort to Berlin-The 4th FG in World War 2" by Jeff Ethell and Garry Fry

Lt. George M Bowyer  To 335th Squadron 6/6/44  Wounded in Action.  Not positive on the dates of the wound, but possibly 6/13th, 18th or 25th  1944.  Hit by a slug in the upper right arm.  Bone taken from his leg to strengthen the damaged right arm in an operation.  Did not return to the 4th FG

There was nothing going on the 13th or 25th and the 4th flew a sweep attacking ground targets in France on the 18th where they lost a couple of 51s to ground fire, so I'd guess that's the day it happened.

If that's a 1946 copy, take good care of it.  Pricey to purchase one.  It's been reprinted a few times but nothing like an original.  Great read.

And if he was there from April to June, he was there during prime time for the 4th FG.

Thanks a LOT Guppy, that was a LOT of help. And he wrote in the book (in pen) that he was hit on the 18th.

Any chance I could find a picture of what plane he flew?

Thanks a lot for the help.

[Guppy35]

Thanks a LOT Guppy, that was a LOT of help. And he wrote in the book (in pen) that he was hit on the 18th.

Any chance I could find a picture of what plane he flew?

Thanks a lot for the help.

I have to believe his logbook is around somewhere.  If he hung on to that book, I'd imagine he'd have kept his logbook. That would be the best bet to tie him to a particular airplane.  As a new guy he wouldn't have had his 'own' bird yet but would have flown what was available. 

[1pLUs44]

I have to believe his logbook is around somewhere.  If he hung on to that book, I'd imagine he'd have kept his logbook. That would be the best bet to tie him to a particular airplane.  As a new guy he wouldn't have had his 'own' bird yet but would have flown what was available. 

If you look at the 2 names I listed on the first post, could you perhaps link those 2 names to him? One was a fighter ace, and the other was ground crew. I'm about halfway, any writing I find in the book, I will post up here.

This is very cool, since I've never really been able to find anything out about any other family member.

[Guppy35]

Purely a semi-educated guess, but it appears Van Chandler was probably assigned to the 4th FG the same time as Bowyer.  Chandler went to the 336th FS, of the 4th FG.  They may have been in the same replacement pool or flight school. Chandler was from Pennsylvania.

He's third from the left in the back row.  This photo was in Garry Fry's first book on the 4th FG called "Debden Eagles".  It's also in "1000 Destroyed".  Taken January 1, 1945.
Chandler had 5 air to air and 4 ground claims.  He had to bail over Allied lines on one occasion.  His P51D according to "Escort to Berlin" was VF-U  "Wheezy".  They don't list a serial number for it. 


The Little Friends website lists 2 P51s for Chandler

43-24877 P-51B 336 VF-U Chandler Lt. Van E Wheezy     
44-14388 P-51D 336 VF-U Chandler Lt. Van E Wheezy


Three photos of Chandler and his 51 on that site as well

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=4&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=119&Temp=1364&searchString=
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=4&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=118&Temp=1363&searchString=
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=4&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=39&Temp=617&searchString=

[Grayeagle]

I believe there's a 4th TFW historical society also .. trackin back to 4th in WW2.
I have that book also ..bought it when I was assigned to 4th TFW long ago.

Those guys knew their stuff .. first Red Flag at Nellis, first engagement, they downed all the Aggressors.
They were in F-4's then.

-GE aka Frank

[1pLUs44]

Purely a semi-educated guess, but it appears Van Chandler was probably assigned to the 4th FG the same time as Bowyer.  Chandler went to the 336th FS, of the 4th FG.  They may have been in the same replacement pool or flight school. Chandler was from Pennsylvania.

He's third from the left in the back row.  This photo was in Garry Fry's first book on the 4th FG called "Debden Eagles".  It's also in "1000 Destroyed".  Taken January 1, 1945.
Chandler had 5 air to air and 4 ground claims.  He had to bail over Allied lines on one occasion.  His P51D according to "Escort to Berlin" was VF-U  "Wheezy".  They don't list a serial number for it. 
(Image removed from quote.)

The Little Friends website lists 2 P51s for Chandler

43-24877 P-51B 336 VF-U Chandler Lt. Van E Wheezy     
44-14388 P-51D 336 VF-U Chandler Lt. Van E Wheezy


Three photos of Chandler and his 51 on that site as well

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=4&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=119&Temp=1364&searchString=
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=4&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=118&Temp=1363&searchString=
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=4&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=39&Temp=617&searchString=

huh, in the book it says he was from Texas, Chandler. Well, on the roster atleast.

Thank you for taking the time to look this up. I talked to my sister, and she's going to ask her grandmother if she has his log-book.

[Fencer51]

I have the operational logs of the 4th FG.  I will do a little searching and will send you any information I can find.

[Fencer51]

Accordng to the logs he joined the 335th on June 7th along with Glynn and Wadsworth.

Well, on June 10th he flew WD-Z as part of a 12 plane patrol led by Major Goodson (336th FS) as #2 wingman to Major Happel.

On June 11th he flew again in WD-G as part of another 12 plane patrol led by Major Happel this time as #2 to Capt. Reid.

On June 13th he flew again in WD-U as part of another 12 plane patrol led by Colonel Donald "Horseback" Blakeslee himself (all bow, this WAS the man).  He was #4 in Blakeslee flight of 4, wingman to Lt. Sibbett.

It appears he flew alot of bombing and straffing missions.

He was hit on the 18th.  He is not listed as part of the 12 man patrol but evidently Blakeslee (all bow) led the flight, he too was not listed, and it is possible he was part of Blakeslee's flight, making 16 planes.

Click on Image for larger size.



Thats it for June... I will look further.