REQUESTS AND RESPONSES

Joe Dally has written us recently regarding the identify of the several A-20 crews which were sent to the 380th in about September 1943 for conversion to B-24s for their combat tours. This was due to a lack of A-20 aircraft in the South-West Pacific because of the massive allocations to Russia. Our work with Joe on this showed that Joe and his compatriots were scattered throughout the existing bomb groups in this theatre. However, existing 380th Bomb Group records do not solve the identity of all those assigned to the 380th. Anyone who might have information on this question is urged to contact Joe at:

Graeme Thomas (address below) is interested in corresponding with anyone from the 380th Bomb Group who knew his father, Sgt. Edward G. McDonald, 37184712, who was a mechanic on BATTLE WEARY in the 529th Squadron, under Master Sergeant Edward V. Gaudet. Graeme was at the San Diego and Tucson Reunions and also attended the Adelaide portion of our 1992 Return to Australia. Please write Graeme Thomas at:

Tony Caferella has recently sent me copies of his other two books which are companions to the one we discussed in the last Newsletter. They are entitled MY BROOME and A TOWN CALLED ONSLOW and are priced at $10.00 each. Like the previously listed Corunna Downs, The Invisible Airfield, they relate Caferella's experiences in the Australian Army in West Australia during WWII. While not directly B-24 related, they do present vivid descriptions of Army life in the Western desert to which we can relate. Please contact Mr. Caferella at: