Score!

[Stony]

I have been collecting militaria since I was about 11 or 12, which is about 45 years. Last Saturday I had the occasion to acquire the WWII combat diary of a B-17 pilot that flew 35 missions. It took me about 30 seconds to make the decision to buy it. All of the missions are detailed from the wake up to the debriefing. The flight in, if they had escort and what type of fighters, if any enemy fighters were encountered and what type(s), the bomb run, etc.

He also details his time off in between missions with his English girlfriend, who he thinks might just want him for sex (lol). A London bus pass from the war, an envelope with English heather in it, his pay stubs with flight and combat pay itemized. It also covers his time from entry in the AAF to his after combat assignments.

He flew in the 91st BG, the same group as the "Memphis Belle". For those that have seen the Collings Foundation B-17 that flies around the country, the "Nine o' Nine", that's a B-17 this guy flew on several missions during his tour. Other planes he flew were "Outhouse Mouse" and "Sweet 17".

I'll have to say that of all the militaria I've ever collected, and there have been some really cool things, this rates in the top five for sure.

 

[dmar836]

Great find! Any pics of his entries? Love to see it and more of your collection.
Dave
Kansas City

 

[bombs away]

Hello,

Nice catch, how lucky you are ! These diaries are rare and usually full of infos.

I'd like to see pics too :shock: .

Just for your info, I own a nice painted A-2 from a ball turret gunner who flew with the "sweet 17" of the 91st BG 323rd BS.
He's still alive but it's easier to me to have news of him through his daughter.
He may have know "your" pilot ?

Tim

 

[dmar836]

This could get interesting!

 

[Stony]

Just for your info, I own a nice painted A-2 from a ball turret gunner who flew with the "sweet 17" of the 91st BG 323rd BS.
He's still alive but it's easier to me to have news of him through his daughter.
He may have know "your" pilot ?

PM sent.

 

[Stony]

Here's the 8th mission to Kassel with him flying "Sweet 17".

 

[bombs away]

Hello,

Pm received.

The diary looks fantastic ! Congratulations.

This crewman I know is William Zauner, you can see him following this link, just click on the ball turret gunner.
http://www.airventuremuseum.org/virtual ... B17web.swf

I'll ask Bill's daughter if he reminds this pilot and if they flew together. Unfortunately, she's very busy so it may take a little time to get the answer. I'll let you know.

Here is the jacket (it came from a fellow member of the forum a few years ago) :

Another crew who flew the Sweet 17, pilot Lt Alexander Thomas (not Bill Zauner's crew unfrortunately).

Tim

 

[dmar836]

Yep, it got interesting!

 

[Stony]

Here is the list from the diary for missions 1-17. Note the date, target, plane, location in the formation, etc.

 

[Stony]

Here are missions 18-35. Now if I only had his A-2.

 

[Andrew]

What an amazing personal record of this fellows experiences, and written so beautifully and detailed. I reckon you could craft an excellent book around this stuff, something along to the lines of Kaplan's "Round the Clock".

 

[TankBuster]

Excellent find Stony! Wartime diaries are really neat. I've always enjoyed them.
Congrats!