“Ascend Charlie” saga in June issue of 8th Air Force News
Watch for a feature article by Bill Beigel, appearing in the print edition of 8th Air Force News in June 2014. The article will be part of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day issue of 8th Air Force News, a publication of the 8th Air Force Historical Society.
In the article, Bill Beigel shares new information from his research on the last mission of the “Turner Crew” of Ascend Charlie, a crew of 10 aboard B-17 Flying Fortress tail #42-5903 of the 390th Bomb Group. The story is well-known among World War II buffs, historians, and hikers in Southeast Wales who have seen first-hand the crash site of this tight-knit crew on an extremely important mission toward the end of the war.
The crew of “Ascend Charlie” also known as the Turner Crew. B-17 Flying Fortress tail #42-5903. 390th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
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Wee Willie and the photo that started it all
My father was Paul D Jessop, he spoke of your Grandfather a lot. My father passed away in 2011 .The World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
Hi Bill, Thanks for putting this together. My grand uncle, 2nd Lt. Robert L. Woolfolk attended UCLA and I believe he graduated in 1936. He was on the waterpolo team. He was a bombardier in the 571st Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group and his aircraft "Decatur Deb" was shot down on May 28, 1944. He and six others perished while three were able bail out and became POWs. This is written up the in the book "Bloody Skies: U.S. Eighth Air Force Battle Damage in World War II." There is a B-17G tail gunner's compartment on display at the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to this crew. Regards, Nick VeronicoBill’s WW2 Almanac for January 21: Featuring Col. Randy’s Flying Circus
Hi! Randall Col Randy is actually my great grandfather and I was wandering if you ever new him? I am curious to know more about him.Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort
Interesting....very hard to know the 'who hit who'.....Fort had enough flying time to be a instructor, I know nothing about the other pilot. If Pastor Jeff had information on her being talked into a situation, I would love to know if reliable. Regardless, so many losses in so many ways.... My take is the WAFS/WASPS deserve a bit more of history's 'time in the books'. Many thanks for the commentary, StarrRemembering the Fallen: WWII Veterans of UCLA, Major Robert C. Maze
Bill, Are you still working on this blog? Rosemarie is my mother in law. She passed away 10 years ago. Her (and Roberts') son Robert Maze Jr is alive and well. I was googling Admiral Radford and ended up googling links... Thank you for your efforts here. Kim WoodsFrom Panatella to Ploesti
I’m looking for information on My Great great GRANDFATHER WAS ON A B-24 LIBERATOR CALLED: Diamond li
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