Here are some of the Diaries, Recollections and Personal Collections of the veterans and families of the 447th BG.
Do you have a Combat Diary or collection that can be added to this page? Contact webmaster@447bg.com so we can add it here.
Combat Diary: 2nd Lt. Joseph Gentner
2nd Lt. Joseph Gentner arrived at Rattlesden in November 1943, as navigator on the Hitchcock crew. The diary records his 31 missions...
Combat Diary: Edward Beaty
Diary kept by Edward E. Beaty, pilot, 710th Sqdn, 447th Bomb Group until he completed his bomber missions in May, 1944.
Combat Diary: Joseph Klaput
Twin brothers Joseph and George Klaput are believed to be the only set of twins to serve together during the war. Joseph Klaput...
Combat Diary: Leonard T. Johnson
Combat diary of Leonard T. Johnson, Bombardier/Navigator on the Milton C. Hampton crew.
Combat Diary: Lloyd Hall
Combat diary of Sgt. Lloyd Hall who flew as engineer with the Hysong crew in the 708th Squadron between August and December, ...
Combat Diary: Lt. Donald McDermott
Pilot Lt. Donald McDermott arrived at Rattlesden in July, 1944, and flew 35 missions with the 710th.
Combat Diary: Lt. Herbert McNabb
Lt. Herbert "Gene" McNabb served as Bombardier with the Hoffman crew in the 710th Squadron between September and December 194...
Combat Diary: Lt. Pete Ebersole
Lt Pete Ebersole arrived at Rattlesden on December 22, 1944, as copilot of the Coleman crew (709th).
Combat Diary: Lt. William North
Lt. William E. North arrived at Rattlesden as co-pilot of the Hoffman crew, and was assigned to the 710th Bomb Squadron on July...
Combat Diary: Richard Pitt, Jr.
Richard Pitt, Jr. -- Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner on one of the first replacement crews at Rattlesden.
Combat Diary: S/Sgt Lauri K. Rautio
From the Combat Flight Log of S/Sgt Lauri K. Raution, Ball Turret Gunner in the 447th BG.
Combat Diary: S/Sgt Louis J. Torretta
Sgt. Louis J. Torretta was the tail gunner on the Robert Morley crew, and part of the original deployment from Harvard AAB to...
Combat Diary: Sgt Arthur Cooper
Sgt Arthur Cooper was a member of the Robert Jacobs crew, assigned to the 710th Squadron on the 15th of June, 1944. After each...
Combat Diary: Sgt. Harley Tuck
Harley Tuck's Wartime Diary stands as one of the most remarkable pieces of writing to come out of the 447th. In its detail is...
One Tour - Three Views
The Combat Logs from Lt. Herbert Glasscock, Sgt. Russell Kerr and Sgt. Norbert Knueppel are presented together
Profile: Oscar J. Quintin
This story about Lt Oscar J. Quintin was first published by the Old Dominion Squadron of Commemorative Air Force, and later appeared...
Profile: Pilot-Cadet Arthur M. Wayrynen
Photographs of the the Civilian Pilot Training Program from David Wayrynen's personal collection
Remembrances: L. W. "MAC" McFARLAND
The following story, "Raid on Berlin," is composed of the best recollections I can make of one day in the lives of ten young men...
Scrapbook: Bigelow Collection
Captain Bigelow went to England in 1943 as 709th Squadron Navigator. In September 1944, promoted to Major, Bigelow assumed the...
Scrapbook: Delap Collection
Jack Delap completed a combat tour as bombardier with the original Kinsinger crew of the 711th Squadron from December 1943, and...
Scrapbook: Durante Collection
Collection of photos and documents of Lt. Arthur A. Durante, navigator of Crew 56, among the original crews of the 447th.
Scrapbook: Halderman Collection
Photograph collection of the Graves crew before, during and after their tour in England.
Sketchbook: Lt. Pete Ebersole
Lt Pete Ebersole's sketches illustrate one of his combat missions as copilot of the Coleman crew.
Sketchbook: Sgt Charles Meshel
From the time he arrived at Rattlesden, Sgt Charles Meshel, ball turret gunner on the Phaneuf crew, began drawing his crewmates...
Story of Umbriago: Alan Cook
This story of Umbriago was written in 1998 by Mr. Alan Cook, co-pilot of the Rohde crew of the 711th Squadron.
A Night to Remember: John Stockham
An addendum to The Story of Umbriago by John Stockham, navigator on the Rohde Crew