VH1993-19BGHP

Origin and preparation of the 19^th Bomb Group History

19^th Bomb Group history 1932 to 1946

In 1992, at Boeing Day celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the B-29, at the final dinner searched for persons in the 73^rd BG on Saipan, who might have known my college room mate Bob Nelson or persons in my old outfit 28^th Sqd 19^th BG on Guam. I encountered Floyd Maupin who’d been Airplane Commander on M-11 28^th Sqd. During our conversation I asked if anyone had done a history of the 28^th Sqd? He said not that he knew of. I said too bad, someone should do that. Floyd agreed. I said I have some photos I took after the war ended when we could buy cameras at the PX, I can tell about flight line activity but know nothing about missions. Floyd said I can send you a diary of our missions. We agreed someone ought to do a history.

D. Landau & Floyd "Mac" Maupin Aug '92

After the reunion, Vern Chandler then Chairman of the 19^th BG Association, asked if I’d be the membership chairman, aware from scanned photos I’d mailed him that I had a computer. I agreed and found there were some 1300 members in the association – the roster included persons who had been in the 19^th BG in the Far Pacific in the early part of the war. This included persons who had been POW’s and AGOM (American Guerrillas Of Mindanao) plus flight and ground crews who had served in the Philippines, Java, Australia with B-17’s as well as those with B-29’s on Guam.

A few days after the reunion I received Maupin’s mission diaries; with this and photos I’d taken, the history task was underway. My photos had been taken with a PX purchased camera, developed with a Kodak kit and rinsed with rain water in my wash basin iron helmet. The negatives were mailed back to be properly made into prints.

Vern and I discussed the idea of doing a 28^th Sqd history. Vern volunteered to make contact with various people requesting they send their stories and information. It was soon decided the history should include the entire 19^th BG and Vern set up a team of persons to make contacts and acquire information for the history. The initial plan was to cover B-29 operations from Guam only.

Vern covered 28^th sqd and assigned Jim Hall and George Savage 30th sqd and John Handwork 93rd sqd to contact others for B-29 stories.

C. Marvel responded immediately. The early Far Pacific phase of the war was unknown to me until a call from Leonhard Merchant, who had been an American Guerrilla On Mindanao (AGOM), a letter from Al Young (POW) and Howard Watson (AGOM) followed. Merchant invited me to attend the 1994 AGOM reunion in San Diego. Tom Mitos 30^th sqd (AGOM) was encouraged to write and he did, 11 chapters of excellent material.

At the 1994 19^th reunion in Wichita KS Vern introduction me to Arthur "Bud" Fletcher, 7th BG pilot who became part of the 19th on Java and Australia, who told how the 19th and 7th personnel merged on Java, then the mixture separated with some to India and some to Australia. This new information, plus that provided by others, expanded the 19th BG history task to an entirely new dimension. Information eventually revealed that some 5000 persons had passed through the 19^th BG from 1940 to end of 1942 when they returned to help form the rapidly expanding Army Air Corp – many returning as key players in B-29 Groups sent back to the Pacific.

The Plan and Problems

From the beginning I found myself coping with such things as: technology limitations, method, content, file structure, presentation & distribution choices.

Technology Limitations are covered in a subsequent section – the endeavor was of necessity limited by what technology permitted. It was not until about 2000 that hardware and software were adequate to do the task.

Method: At the outset I made the decision to convert all hard copy text and photos to electronic files. I wanted something that could be quickly replicated, upgraded and distributed to others at low cost. I knew this could eventually be done if converted to electronic files. This choice, good for the long run, was beyond the capability of early hardware and software; I continued this method having faith technology would catch up with the need.

Content Choices: As the task grew choices had to be made, often in face of conflicting wishes.

1. Expand the scope to include all 19th BG activities, not limit it to Guam or WW2.
2. Use contributed stories essentially as is, for me to provide introductory or explanatory comment only.
3. Include all personal stories, to not eliminate some to reduce size.
4. Tell the complete story, including flight & ground crews training – for it to be more than a collection of "scary missions".
5. Make a separate section for AGOM and POW stories, these are an essential part and should stand alone.
6. Include political information, to provide a new reader a feeling for public opinion and environment of the time.
7. Describe aircraft and engine status and availability; before, during and at the end of the conflict. The war was fought with what they had – change was rapid, initially feeble by later standards.
8. Include concurrent war events, which influenced their efforts directly or indirectly.
9. To leave the history open ended so others can add to it as other material comes to light.

File Structure: There was soon a large amount of diverse information. While converting hard copy and photos to electronic files I soon realized I needed a structured method for storage, retrieval and upgrade of electronic files. The process evolved. Initially I saved all files under the name of the author in “Source” subdirectories. Later under “Version” subdirectories. As the history evolved it became necessary to identify the format and end usage. Those prepared in Word.Doc format were “W” files, those converted to HTML Browser format were “H” files, those compiled to print a book were called “B” files. Eventually the Source files became “Author” files in two sets W42AUTH for those from 1940 to 1942 and W45AUTH those from 1943 to 1946 and H42AUTH and H45AUTH when converted to Browser readable format.

Story files were compiled from Author file content and filed by time and place such as 41US, 41PI, 42US, 42JA, 42AU, POW, AGOM, 43US, 44US, 45US, 45GU, . . . etc; with each of these broken down into sub-tier files when applicable.

Scanned photos were initially placed in separate “P” files, for insertion as appropriate in various stories.

The filing method was revised many times trying to come up with an acceptable method. In retrospect the filing method becomes one of the most important choices to be made.

Presentation & Distribution: Initially it was planned that the history being gathered would be printed in a hard copy book. It soon became apparent there was too much content for a single book. I was being pushed to complete a B-29 version for a hard copy book – however by then I’d become convinced the story would be incomplete if it did not include earlier events in the Far Pacific. I recognized the desire for a 19^th BG hard copy book now, while very much aware the history gathering task was far from done – much information had not yet been converted and compiled.

To solve this dilemma I made copies of what I had available to anyone in the 19^th Association who asked for it, initially on backup tape and later on CD-R’s.

I took my computer to the 1998 reunion in Tucson AZ and made copies of the 19^th BG history CD’s for all who requested them -- the machine was kept busy writing CDs.

Making 19^th BG History CD’s in 1998

Many indicated they wanted a hard copy book. At this 1998 reunion Turner Publications made a presentation for doing a 19^th BG book. This would be similar to what they had done for other military organizations where persons sent in their stories which were compiled into a book. The association voted to proceed with the Turner proposition; so I made the history CD’s I had prepared available for their effort, and provided a computer for their use in reading and editing the material.

CD Labels

Bob Ley when President of 19^th BG Association

About two years later they sent Bob Ley, 19^th BG President, a draft for review and approval. Bob sent it to me for review. I found what was there was fine but that much of the 19^th history on the CD’s had not been included. I discussed this with Turner Publications and with Bob Ley. It was decided they would go with what they had and that I’d continue with my more extensive effort.

Because many desired to have a hard copy I decided to prepare one by extracting material from what I had, to reduce the amount of material to be printed. Even so this consumed 6 volumes. During the summer of 2000, while at our home in Oberlin KS, I composed a front and back cover for the books, the same for each book, with differing end covers to show each volumes content. I did the printing on my home printer and had them bound for $20 each by the Book Binder in Seldon KS.

The 19^th BG History Set prepared 2000.

An estimate was made that it would cost about $60 each to produce the books in small volume, such that a set would cost $360 plus shipping. This became a bit expensive when compared to the same material on a free CD.

Motivation

Motivation was required to compile this history; room mate Bob Nelson and cousin Navy fighter pilot Vincent Landau, both of whom did not return, have been my motivation. Bob and I were room mates at KS State enrolled in Mechanical engineering when we decided to become a couple of hot rock pilots. Bob passed and became a B-29 Navigator out to Saipan, it was discovered I was color blind and flunked, so volunteered for the draft as my father was head of the draft board. Vincent was my cousin and high school classmate. Bob was shot down in Mar 1945, became a POW then taken out and beheaded after the first A-Bomb. Vincent was shot down the last day of the war by a navy ship at anchor when returning to his carrier. I returned without a scratch and felt obligated to do something in their behalf.

Single Book

There were requests for a single book version so about 2003 I began extracting information from the six volumes to make a single large volume.

The format follows a time sequence intermixing information provided by the participant. An Events vs Time section precedes each time segment and I provided introductory and commentary to bridge gaps and provide post event information.

The single volume book includes an enclosed CD which include 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.

The book includes a roster: (a) All personnel known to have been part of the 19^th 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.

A copy of the book can be obtained by placing an order with Koerperich Book binders Inc, PO Box 139 Seldon KS 67757 (785)386-4392 Att. Chris

The book can also be found on www.lanbob.com

It’s been my honor and pleasure to know the 19^th 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.