[303rd-Talk] B-17 Hell Cat

[Bill Twomey]

Kathy:
 
Reading  your  mail  reminds  me  that  our  generation  has  evolved  into  the  "sponge  generation,"  with  regard  to  our  parent's  experiences,  especially  during  WWII.   We  want  ANY information  that  relates  to  these  experiences.
 
I  think  my  father  didn't  want  to  bore  us  with  his  "war  stories,"   so  many  of  them  went  untold.   He  was  probably  right,  when  we  were  younger.      Don't  you  wonder  when/if  our  kids  will  want  to  know  about  us ???
Make  you  want  to  write  it  down  ( a' la'   The  Reagan  Diary ).
 
Its  great  that  you  were  able  to  do  this  field  work  to  get  closer  to  first-hand  knowledge  about  your  Dad.
 
Bill Twomey



> From: kmstan at dslextreme.com> To: 303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com> Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2007 09:49:51 -0700> Subject: [303rd-Talk] B-17 Hell Cat> > Hi everyone:> I just returned from my first trip to France, where I found where my Dad's B-17 was shot down during WWII!!! I was introduced to several witnesses to the crash, and met a woman who helped hide my dad and his tail gunner, who's name was Batterson. First name Frank, I believe. My Dad was Lt. Oran T. O'Connor, and was the pilot of the Hell Cat. They were shot down over Brittany January 23, 1943. Anyone out there related to Batterson? Would LOVE to be in contact with you. I have so much to tell you about what happened with our father's after the plane went down. They were taken to a hospital in Carhaix-Plouguer and Batterson had his leg amputated, then both were POW's. My Dad survived and just passed away this last summer at age 93. > > Hope to hear from someone soon.> Kathy Stanclift> kmstan at dslextreme.com > _______________________________________________> 303rd-Talk mailing list> 303rd-Talk at 303rdBG.com> http://lists.303rdbg.com/mailman/listinfo/303rd-talk