FP-Preface
Preface
This book is a condensation of material provided by members of the 19th Bomb Group Association. All participant material is included on the enclosed CD. Participants often tell of the same primary event, however each experience and story is unique. This book extracts from those stories and provides the setting in which these experiences were written. Most personal accounts were written for the benefit of families and friends with whom they wished to share their story.
Knowledge of the setting and environment are important to understanding the events and conditions. The 19th BG history serves as a common thread though changing times. The political, technical and personal settings were quite different during each phase. An Events vs Time section precedes each time segment. I’ve provided introductory and commentary to bridge gaps and provide post event information.
The book is condensed to fit a single volume – the enclosed CD provides all available information. CD files are presented in .htm format so they can be viewed using browser soft ware. Use windows explore to view CD content by double click on the STRT.htm file to call up the home page, then browse the content – you are on a CD Intranet. All available photos are in.jpg format in subdirectories. Remember, you can enlarge the view shown on the monitor to see small images. You can also print photos and text of your choice.
A Roster of Personnel includes: (a) All personnel known to have been part of the 19th BG. (b) Location changes for those from 1941 to 1943. (c) A photo roster, those available, with information about contributing authors. It’s generally unknown what happened to the participants.
This history version was began by the author in 1993 after retirement from the aerospace industry and making contact with the 19th BG Association. He served as an enlisted man airplane mechanic prior to being assigned as Engineering Officer 28th Sqd, 19th BG 314 Wing 20th AF North Field (now Anderson Field) Guam – he’s an ex Model-T mechanic, not a writer or historian. He was motivated to take on this task in memory of his college room mate Bob Nelson who became a B-29 Navigator, shot down Mar 1945 held prisoner then beheaded after the first A-Bomb -- and his cousin Vincent Landau, high school classmate and Navy pilot, shot down after the second A-Bomb.
The above fellows provided, and helped find stories, beginning 1993 which were entered and compiled for this history. Initially computers were not up to the task but by 1999 they were and the first CD’s were created & distributed at the Tuscon Reunion lower right. I wish to thank the aerospace industry for enabling me to learn and have faith in the rapidly changing technology.
It’s been my honor and pleasure to know the 19th BG Association personnel – most unknown then, are now among my most valued friends. Unfortunately only 4 of the above vibrant 13 were alive in 2003.
This has been prepared, according to their wishes, for those of a following generation and dedicated to all who did not return.
D. Landau 19th BG Historian
